Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) runs the ball against Georgia Tech during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

No matter who actually said it first, the old showbiz adage, “Always leave them wanting more,” is still applicable. The soft launch to the college football season last week was a perfect example, with just a few extremely compelling contests to whet our appetite for the holiday weekend extravaganza to come.

We need wait no longer, fellow football followers. Our long offseason is now officially over. It’s time to see what the college football landscape actually looks like as the expected contenders finally take the field.

Here is your Week 1 viewers’ guide, where our goal is to highlight the top games of the weekend to help you plan your schedule. This opening-week buffet is more loaded than most, with a trio of top-10 showdowns lined up. Let’s dive in, shall we?

No. 1 Texas at No. 2 Ohio State

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: You don’t really need to ask, do you? Fans have had this game circled for months, and the arrival of the US LBM Coaches Poll setting it up as an unprecedented 1-vs-2 season opener has dialed the hype meter up to 11. In the big picture, it will be a nice feather in the cap for the winner, but it will hardly be catastrophic for whichever playoff hopeful winds up on the short end. The Buckeyes begin their quest for a national championship repeat with new QB Julian Sayin at the controls. It doesn’t hurt that his arsenal includes WR Jeremiah Smith, who might just be the best receiver in the country. Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr. and DB Michael Taaffe will lead the effort to keep them from connecting too often, though the Buckeyes have other weapons like WR Carnell Tate and TE Max Klare that will also require attention. Texas QB Arch Manning is not making his starting debut, but this is clearly his first true test as the face of the team. Both he and RB Quintrevion Wisner get to work behind an outstanding line, but the Ohio State defense, featuring veterans like LB Sonny Styles and DB Caleb Downs, is just as formidable.

Why it could disappoint: It might not have a plethora of explosive plays given the strength of both defenses. But the only way this isn’t close is if one team or the other buries itself under an avalanche of turnovers, and that seems unlikely. We expect we’ll be riding this one until the end.

No. 9 LSU at No. 6 Clemson

Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The second top-10 clash could have even bigger playoff implications down the road than the showdown in Columbus. LSU will have plenty of chances for quality wins in SEC play, of course, but the Bayou Bengals will face a raucous atmosphere in Clemson’s version of Death Valley. The host Tigers will also have a postseason path through the ACC but would like nothing better than to take advantage of this opportunity at home against a quality opponent. Both sets of Tigers will have incumbent QBs in place. Garrett Nussmeier is back for LSU after throwing for over 4,000 yards in 2024, while Cade Klubnik is coming off an equally stellar 36 TD campaign for Clemson. The unit facing the most questions is the LSU defense, which gave up too many big plays a year ago and needs former Florida State DE Patrick Payton to bolster the pass rush. Clemson’s defensive line should again be as nasty as they come, featuring DE T.J. Parker on one side and DT Peter Woods on the interior.

Why it could disappoint: Both programs have had opening-week issues in recent years, so there might be some miscues early on. In theory it could go off the rails more easily for the visiting team, though having an experienced hand at QB should prevent that.

No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami (Fla.)

Time/TV: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Why watch: The third top-10 pairing could turn out to be the most impactful of the bunch. The Fighting Irish, still competing as an independent after all these years, must bank as many key wins as possible to earn a return invitation to the playoff. The Hurricanes once again fell short of playing for the ACC title and hope to get a difficult schedule off to a good start. Notre Dame hands the QB reins to touted redshirt freshman C.J. Carr. He’ll have the luxury of handing off to standout RB Jeremiyah Love, but at some point he’ll likely have to challenge CB Xavier Lucas and the Miami secondary. Hurricanes QB Carson Beck transfers in after a highly scrutinized stint at Georgia. Playing on the big stage won’t be a problem for him, but Fighting Irish CB Leonard Moore might be.

Why it could disappoint: There are a lot of unproven parts on both sides. Hurricanes’ faithful might have more cause for concern if the game is close in the final minutes given coach Mario Cristobal’s history of questionable clock management.

No. 8 Alabama at Florida State

Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Why watch: In the not-too-distant past, this might have been yet another top-10 opener. The 2024 season didn’t go as hoped for these two name-brand programs, but while Alabama merely came up a win or two short of the playoff, the climb back to respectability is much steeper for FSU on the heels of a disastrous 2-10 campaign. The Seminoles’ offense will now be in the hands of QB Thomas Castellanos, who must back up some big talk as he takes on LB Deonte Lawson and the Crimson Tide defense. Ty Simpson takes over at QB for Alabama. He does have mobility but lacks the speed of predecessor Jalen Milroe, but he will get to work with a loaded interior line and a deep group of pass catchers. A lot will be asked of DT Darrell Jackson on the defensive front for the Seminoles.

Why it could disappoint: In truth, Crimson Tide followers hope that it does. Fair or not, if this game is competitive at all, it will likely say more about Alabama’s lack of dominance than any progress Florida State made during the offseason.

No. 18 Tennessee vs. Syracuse

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC

Why watch: There will be a lot of orange in the stands for this first of two SEC-vs-ACC contests in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Volunteers are hoping for a return trip to the playoff but must fill numerous holes from last year’s squad. Syracuse surprised some people in Fran Brown’s first season helming the program, and now the Orange hope to advance further in the pecking order against a more challenging slate. Both teams will have new starting signal callers plucked from the transfer portal, though Tennessee’s QB situation caused a lot more offseason buzz. Joey Aguilar, who most recently saw action at Appalachian State, will take over the Vols’ attack, while former Notre Dame backup Steve Angeli won the job for the Orange. Both will face accomplished secondaries, with Tennessee DB Jermod McCoy and Orange veteran DB Duce Chestnut getting preseason All-America buzz.

Why it could disappoint: Even while winning 10 games last year Tennessee had a habit of starting slowly in games. The Vols’ defense should keep them afloat if that trend continues, but that might result in a low-scoring affair that might not be aesthetically pleasing for casual viewers.

No. 13 South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech

Time/TV: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

Why watch: Part II of the unofficial ACC-SEC challenge at this venue pits the Gamecocks, hoping to build on last year’s strong finish, against the Hokies, who embark on a likely make-or-break season for coach Brent Pry. Much of the optimism for South Carolina revolves around QB LaNorris Sellers, coming off a breakout freshman campaign that has some fans dreaming of a longshot Heisman bid. He’ll have to get on the same page with several new receivers, but having last year’s No. 2 target Nyck Harbor back in the huddle should help. Virginia Tech also has experience at QB, though much of it wasn’t good as Kyron Drones endured his share of struggles last season.

Why it could disappoint: It might be a painful day for Hokies’ faithful if they have to watch the team coached by former favorite son Shane Beamer get the best of their boys. But the Gamecocks figure to have the overall talent advantage.

Georgia Tech at Colorado

Time/TV: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Why watch: Neither participant is ranked in this matchup, and it is as yet unclear if either should be. But there will nevertheless be no shortage of intrigue for a number of reasons, not the least of which is it comes with the historical footnote of pairing the two schools that split the national championship way back in 1990. In addition to health concerns and family draft-day drama, Buffs coach Deion Sanders also had to use the offseason to reload after losing a lot of star power from last year’s nine-win squad. The good news is there is proven talent on the defensive side, including LB Arden Walker and DB D.J. McKinney. That unit will have to be ready from the opening snap, as Georgia Tech brings a lot more experienced ball handlers into Boulder, led by QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes. CU’s new starting QB will be former Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, but highly regarded freshman Julian Lewis could also see the field. Whoever is behind center for the Buffs will need better protection, and he’ll also be up against a solid Georgia Tech secondary backed by Omar Daniels.

Why it could disappoint: As with any first contest there are a lot of unknowns. Colorado might have more of them, although roster overhauls are not new for Coach Prime. A comeback might be hard to manage for the new-look Buffs if the Yellow Jackets get out of the gate quickly.

TCU at North Carolina

Time/TV: Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Why watch: The extended weekend wraps up with the collegiate debut of the Tar Heels’ new head coach, whose name you might possibly recognize. The curiosity factor with Bill Belichick taking over in Chapel Hill is, let’s face it, the only reason this contest is in this high-profile time slot. TCU coach Sonny Dykes hopes this contest goes better for his Horned Frogs than their opener two seasons ago when Deion Sanders won his Colorado debut at their expense. In theory, TCU should be better equipped to handle the circus this time, especially with accomplished QB Josh Hoover back at the controls. UNC’s QB competition between Gio Lopez, who arrived via the transfer portal from South Alabama, and Max Johnson, working his way back from a devastating leg injury sustained in last year’s season opener, continued well into fall camp. Lopez won the job, but both might still play.

Why it could disappoint: Given all the changes, North Carolina probably could have used a tune-up or two before taking on another power-four squad. If the Tar Heels avoid falling into a hole, we might be in for an entertaining close to the weekend.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What college football games are this weekend? Week 1 schedule preview of matchups

Reporting by Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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