We’ve finally made it from the longest off-season in any major sport and it’s time to kick off the 2021 College Football season. Unfortunately, we missed Week 0 last year and many early-season games. However, that’s back in a big way this year as we get started with this much anticipated season. Now, let’s get into it as we look at the best matchups in college football with our 2021 week 0 college football watch guide.
Note: All game times are in central standard time
2021 Week 0 College Football Watch Guide
Saturday
12:00 PM
Nebraska at Illinois 
There’s a lot of pressure on Nebraska and Scott Frost in the 2021 season. Miss a bowl for the fourth season in Lincoln and the frost could become very heated. With a win against Illinois, it could set the Cornhuskers up for a 3-0 start when they travel to Norman. Comparatively, Brett Bielema returns to the sidelines of the Big 10 conference. What a feather in his cap it would be to score an upset in his first game in Champaign.
1:00 PM
Connecticut at Fresno State
Connecticut is one of the few teams that did not play in 2020. With that, the Huskies will be looking to get their first win since October 26th, 2019. UCONN comes into 2021 as one of the worst teams in the country that may have to deal with a roster full of rust to knock off. Conversely, Fresno looks to be on the outside of the West division of the Mountain West. Can the Bulldogs overcome an offensive line that gave up 24 sacks in six games as well as a defense that gave up over 30 points per game in 2020?
2:30 PM
Hawaii at UCLA 
The scoreboard is likely going to be lit up at the Rose Bowl. The quarterback matchup of Chevan Cordeiro of Hawaii and Dorian Thompson-Robinson should be an exciting one to watch. The Warriors reached a bowl game in Todd Graham’s first season. Meanwhile, UCLA had the look of a much-improved team that may have started to turn a corner. With the Warriors giving up just over 211 yards per game in 2020, look for a big day on the ground for the Bruins.
6:00 PM
Alcorn State vs NC Central 
College Gameday will broadcast live from Atlanta where Alcorn State and North Carolina Central will get the FCS schedule kicked off. Alcorn State did not play in the 2021 season. However, they are the reigning SWAC Champions from the 2019 season. Similarly, Central did not play in 2020 and is coming off a 4-8 season in 2019. The Braves appear to have the advantage coming into this game but as we’ve seen in the Kickoff Classic, records can be thrown out the window.
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