Opening Week in Dublin
The 2026 college football season opened with a headline‑making contest in Dublin, Ireland, where the North Carolina Tar Heels met TCU in a Saturday afternoon showdown broadcast on ESPN at noon Eastern time.
The Associated Press released its initial Top 25 poll, cementing an early Big Ten dominance that saw eight of the conference’s teams ranked, including three of the top six positions.
Ohio State topped the poll with 40 first‑place votes, followed by Oregon with 14 and Georgia with six, while the Big Ten collectively captured every first‑place vote except for seven, and five of its programs earned at least one top vote.
Rankings Overview and Upcoming Matchups
The SEC placed nine teams in the rankings, trailing the Big Ten’s eight, while the ACC contributed three ranked programs, reflecting a deep and competitive national landscape.
Among the marquee matchups slated for the early weeks, Boise State is set to travel to face the second‑ranked Oregon on September 5, a game that will air on CBS at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Analysts note that if the Tar Heels manage to break into the ‘Others Receiving Votes’ category by November, it could signal a season that exceeds early expectations, despite the poll’s diminishing role in championship selection.
Although the AP Poll no longer determines the national championship participant, it remains a barometer that shapes preseason narratives and influences voter perception throughout the year.