CBS Sports Network Gears Up for an Epic College Football Season
Get ready, pigskin fanatics! CBS Sports Network is back with a schedule jam-packed with gridiron action, promising a thrilling ride through the college football season. From high-stakes matchups between Group of Five powerhouses to intriguing clashes against Power Five contenders, the network’s lineup is stacked like a five-layer dip on game day. Weekday or weekend, primetime or afternoon, CBS Sports Network has you covered – no need to thank us, just doing our job (and we kinda love it). So, buckle up, grab your lucky jersey (you know the one), and get ready for some unforgettable moments on the gridiron.
Week Zero: SMU Mustangs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Date & Time: Saturday, August twenty fourth, eight:00 PM Eastern
To kick off the action, Week Zero throws us right into the fire with a matchup brimming with storylines and enough drama to make a reality TV producer blush. The SMU Mustangs, fresh off their AAC championship and riding high after a season for the ages, are saddling up for a whole new rodeo in the ACC.
SMU’s ACC Debut: A Whole New Ball Game?
Talk about a trial by fire! The Mustangs are diving headfirst into the deep end of the pool, and the ACC is no joke. All eyes will be on how they handle the pressure cooker of a Power Five conference. With QB Preston Stone back from injury and a posse of eight returning offensive starters, the Mustangs have the firepower to light up scoreboards. Add in some serious talent acquired through the transfer portal, like Savion Byrd, Jahfari Harvey, and Deuce Harmon, and you’ve got a recipe for some offensive fireworks. But will it be enough to hang with the big dogs in the ACC?
Nevada’s New Era: The Choate Train Leaves the Station
Meanwhile, in the Nevada desert, a new sheriff is in town. Head Coach Jeff Choate rides into Reno with a reputation for turning programs around, and the Wolf Pack faithful are hoping he’s got his spurs on tight. After a rough patch, Nevada is hungry for a taste of success. Keep an eye on potential starting QB Chubba Purdy – yes, Brock Purdy’s little brother – who’s looking to make his own name in the college football world. Can Choate and Purdy inject some life into the Wolf Pack and pull off an upset in Week Zero?
Week One: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Date & Time: Thursday, August twenty ninth, eight:00 PM Eastern
Hold onto your hats, folks, because Week One kicks off with a Thursday night showdown that’s got all the makings of a barnburner. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, a team used to ruffling feathers and turning heads, are strutting into a new era – and facing some serious questions along the way. On the other side, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, still riding high from their FBS debut season, are ready to show the college football world that they’re here to stay.
Jacksonville State: Riding the Momentum Wave
Let’s be real – nobody expected Jacksonville State to make a splash in their first foray into the FBS. But splash they did, with an offensive onslaught that left opponents seeing stars. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez, the mastermind behind some of college football’s most explosive offenses, has the Gamecocks playing like a finely tuned instrument. Sure, they lost some key pieces like running back Malik Jackson, but with QB Zion Webb back under center, expect more of the same high-octane attack. On the defensive side of the ball, new coordinator Luke Olson steps in after Zac Alley’s departure to Oklahoma. Can Olson keep the Gamecock defense flying high?
Coastal Carolina: Navigating the Post-McCall Era
For the past few seasons, the Chanticleers’ offense revolved around the electrifying Grayson McCall. But with McCall moving on, Coastal Carolina is staring down the barrel of a whole lot of uncertainty at the most important position on the field. Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim are the frontrunners to take the reins, but can either of them fill McCall’s shoes? Add in a roster that’s seen a significant amount of turnover – including a reliance on transfers like Simeon Price and Deamontae Diggs – and it’s clear that the Chanticleers have their work cut out for them. Can they maintain their winning ways without their talismanic quarterback?
Week Eight: Boise State Broncos at UNLV Rebels
Date & Time: Friday, October twenty fifth, 10:30 PM Eastern
Fast forward to Week Eight, and we’re in for a Friday night lights special – with a Mountain West Conference twist! The Boise State Broncos, perennial contenders with a chip on their shoulder, are heading to Sin City to take on the UNLV Rebels, a team that’s quickly shedding its underdog status. And if you’re a fan of high-scoring affairs and nail-biting finishes, this rematch of the 2023 Mountain West Championship game is gonna be your jam.
Mountain West Rematch: Round Two, Fight!
Remember that epic showdown for the Mountain West crown last year? Yeah, well, both these teams sure do. Boise State will be looking to prove that their championship pedigree is still legit, while UNLV is eager to show that their breakout season was no fluke. With conference pride and bragging rights on the line, this one’s got all the ingredients for an instant classic.
Boise State’s Offensive Arsenal: Loaded and Ready
The Broncos are known for their high-flying offense, and this year is no different. Running back Ashton Jeanty is back after a monster season that saw him bulldoze his way into the end zone with reckless abandon. And if that wasn’t enough to make opposing defenses sweat, Boise State also welcomes former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson to the quarterback room. Nelson, a transfer with sky-high potential, could be the missing piece that elevates the Broncos’ offense to a whole new level.
UNLV: The Rise Continues?
Don’t sleep on the Rebels, folks. Under Head Coach Barry Odom, UNLV has transformed from a conference doormat to a team nobody wants to face. Star wide receiver Ricky White is back to torment defensive backs and haul in highlight-reel catches. And with dual-threat quarterback Matthew Sluka, a transfer from Holy Cross, bringing his own brand of excitement to the field, UNLV’s offense is primed to light up the scoreboard. The question is, can their defense step up and slow down the Broncos’ offensive juggernaut? Buckle up, because this one’s gonna be a wild ride.
Week Fourteen: Rivalry Week Rampage
Game 1: Liberty Flames at Sam Houston Bearkats
Date & Time: Friday, November twenty ninth, 3:30 PM Eastern
Game 2: UTSA Roadrunners at Army Black Knights
Date & Time: Saturday, November thirtieth, Noon Eastern
Hold onto your hats and grab your lucky rabbit’s foot, because Week Fourteen is Rivalry Week, and CBS Sports Network is serving up a double dose of gridiron drama that’s sure to leave you craving turkey and stuffing (in a good way, of course). First up, we’ve got a showdown in the Lone Star State, as the high-flying Liberty Flames travel to face the Sam Houston Bearkats. Then, we’re hopping over to West Point, where the Army Black Knights will kick off their American Conference journey against the formidable UTSA Roadrunners. Get ready for a weekend of upsets, nail-biting finishes, and enough passion to power a small city – it’s Rivalry Week, baby!
Liberty at Sam Houston: Can the Bearkats Slay the Giant?
The Liberty Flames are coming into this matchup like a runaway train, fresh off a perfect 13-0 regular season that saw them steamroll their competition. With quarterback Kaidon Salter back to orchestrate their high-powered offense, the Flames are looking like a team on a mission. But don’t count out the Sam Houston Bearkats just yet. They gave Liberty a run for their money last season, and with home-field advantage and a year of FBS experience under their belts, the Bearkats are hungry for an upset. Can they pull off the unthinkable and hand Liberty their first loss of the season?
UTSA at Army: A Clash of Styles and Conference Newcomers
Talk about a clash of styles! The UTSA Roadrunners, known for their high-octane offense and penchant for putting up points in a hurry, are marching into West Point to face the Army Black Knights, a team whose triple-option offense is about as predictable as the weather in March (read: expect the unexpected). For Army, this game marks their grand entrance into the American Athletic Conference, and they’d love nothing more than to start their new chapter with a statement win. But UTSA, a perennial contender in Conference USA, won’t be an easy out. With a new quarterback under center (after all-time passing leader Frank Harris’ departure), the Roadrunners will be looking to prove that their success wasn’t just a one-man show. Can UTSA’s high-powered offense solve Army’s unique defensive puzzle?
A Season to Remember Awaits on CBS Sports Network
And there you have it, folks – just a taste of the college football feast that awaits on CBS Sports Network this season! From Week Zero’s kickoff bonanza to the high-stakes drama of Rivalry Week, the network has you covered with a schedule that’s bursting with excitement, upsets, and unforgettable moments. So, clear your schedules, stock up on snacks, and get ready for another wild ride through the unpredictable world of college football!