Football Schedule on DISH: Best Week 1 College Games
Welcome to your weekly football schedule and viewing guide on DISH. From the biggest primetime games to the most important matchups of the weekend, we’ll call out the best college football and NFL games of the week to watch with DISH.
Remember, as a DISH subscriber, you can use Game Finder to set your DVR to record all of your favorite teams, use Multi-View to watch multiple games at the same time, or download the DISH Anywhere app to watch football on-the-go! Check your DISH Guide for this week’s full football schedule in your local market.
College Football Week 1 Games
Colorado Buffaloes at Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
Thursday, Sep. 3 at 8 PM ET on ESPN
In college football, a single offseason can feel like a decade. Both the Colorado Buffaloes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have spent the last few months overhauling their rosters and coaching staffs in search of much-needed stability. Tonight, they’ll test those renovations under the lights at Bobby Dodd Stadium to kick off the 2026 season. Entering as a 6.5-point home favorite, Georgia Tech is looking to replicate last year's 27-20 victory over a Colorado program facing a make-or-break year.
Following a highly publicized but ultimately disappointing 3-9 season, Deion Sanders is officially entering a make-or-break year in Boulder. The Buffaloes hit the reset button, bringing in over 40 portal additions to revamp the roster. They are also debuting a completely overhauled staff, featuring offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and his creative, run-heavy 'Go-Go' scheme, alongside defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s aggressive new system.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key is looking to sustain the momentum of a stellar 9-4 run last year. However, Key has his own massive shoes to fill. After losing star quarterback Haynes King and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, he brought in George Godsey to lead the offense and Jason Semore to completely revamp a struggling defensive unit.
The game’s marquee matchup pits Colorado's rebuilt defensive front against Georgia Tech's bruising, physical rushing attack. The Buffs have their work cut out for them; last season, the Yellow Jackets gashed Colorado for 320 yards on the ground. They’ll look to replicate that sheer dominance behind a formidable tandem of Michigan transfer Justice Haynes and returning standout Malachi Hosley.
To counter that ground control, Colorado quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis—a highly touted redshirt freshman—needs to take command from the opening snap. Lewis’ elite arm talent gives CU instant explosive big-play potential. He will lean heavily on Biletnikoff semifinalist Danny Scudero to aggressively attack a reloaded Georgia Tech secondary.
Clemson Tigers at No. 15 Louisiana State Tigers
Saturday, September 5, 7:30 PM ET, ABC
Following his highly scrutinized departure from Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin officially takes over at LSU on Saturday. His signature high-powered offense isn’t the only thing he’s bringing to his first season in Baton Rouge. LSU added more than 40 players through the transfer portal, including former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, as Kiffin attempts to overhaul a 7-6 team into an immediate national contender.
Speaking of mediocre 7-6 teams with something to prove, that description also fits Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers. Coming off of their worst season since 2010, the Tigers open 2026 with Christopher Vizzina at quarterback. Vizzina started just one game last season for the Tigers, but he’ll lead the team to start the year, with Swinney telling the media it’s “likely” true freshman Tait Reynolds will get some playing time against LSU. Clemson fans will also see a familiar face returning to the Clemson sideline: Chad Morris is back as offensive coordinator, a role he previously held during some of the explosive early seasons under Swinney.
For a season opener, this matchup carries a lot of weight. LSU gets its first look at the Kiffin era, while Clemson – which has lost three straight season openers – gets an immediate opportunity to prove last year was an aberration. One of these two teams will pull away from Death Valley on Saturday night feeling much better about 2026. - Jenny Urice
Baylor Bears vs. Auburn Tigers
Saturday, September 5, 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Baylor and Auburn face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game. This rematch arrives 1 year after Auburn defeated the Bears 38-24 in their 2025 season opener. Although the teams will meet on a neutral field this time, Atlanta remains very friendly territory for the Tigers.
Baylor returns quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who passed for 3,681 yards last season, while Byrum Brown takes over for the Tigers after collecting more than 4,000 yards of offense and 42 TDs last season for South Florida. His coach at USF? Alex Golesh, who took the Auburn job last November.
Cries of “War Eagle” rained down after Auburn took the victory last year, but Baylor aims to settle the score (fitting, since this marks the sixth matchup between the two programs, and the all-time series is tied at 2-2-1). Tigers fans in Atlanta are certainly hoping for a sequel in 2026. - Jenny Urice
No. 24 Louisville Cardinals vs. No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels
Sunday, September 6, 7:30 PM ET, ABC
The only Week 1 game with two ranked opponents, No. 24 Louisville and No. 9 Ole Miss head to Nashville for a neutral site game that could have downstream effects on both the SEC and ACC standings in December. Pete Golding begins his first full season as head coach after piloting the Rebels all the way to the CFP semifinals last season, while Jeff Brohm is back on the Louisville sideline for his fourth season.
But the biggest difference maker on both teams is Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, a sixth-year senior who is only on the field thanks to a court injunction. That’s no slight to Chambliss; while still a bit raw for the pros, he has the chance to build on a breakout season in which he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and took Ole Miss within a game of the National Championship.
But Louisville has won at least nine games in all three of Brohm’s seasons at the helm, so Mississippi needs to be careful not to overlook them. Regardless of who comes out on top, a win in this one will provide a real shot of momentum heading into the rest of the year. - Jenny Urice
Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Sunday, September 6, 7:30 PM ET, NBC
College football at Lambeau Field. That’s the headline for this one.
But since it involves one of the most prestigious and popular programs in the country, we’ll go a bit deeper. Last year, coming off a National Championship loss to Ohio State, the Irish stumbled out of the gate, beginning the season 0-2. Notre Dame then ripped off 10 straight wins to close the season, but controversially missed out on the Playoff. Marcus Freeman’s team looks to avoid a slow start in a game that should have a mostly Wisconsin-friendly crowd at Lambeau. The Badgers will need fans to be loud, as they’ve been slumping in recent seasons and finished 2025 with a miserable 4-8 record amidst a punishing schedule that saw them playing seven ranked opponents. A win to open the year would be huge for Badgers fans (and Luke Fickell’s job security), but given last year’s September struggles, Notre Dame is also motivated to get off to a strong start. - Jenny Urice
