It's that magical time of year when college football fans collectively decide that a few months without the sport is long enough, thank you very much. Week 0 of the 2026 college football season kicked off this weekend, and judging by the conversation on Bluesky, people are absolutely starved for some pigskin.

Week 0 — for the uninitiated — is the appetizer before the main course. It's a limited slate of games featuring teams that get special permission to start early, often because they're playing in Hawaii or have scheduling quirks. This year's lineup includes matchups like North Carolina vs. TCU, Jackson State vs. Tennessee State, and San Jose State vs. USC, according to posts circulating on the platform.

The Betting Picks Are Flying

One thing is abundantly clear from the online chatter: people are ready to make some questionable financial decisions. User @skhanjr.com laid out their picks with the kind of confidence that can only come from months of withdrawal: "If you're into picks and feel like lighting 💰 on fire, we made some for today's CFB games." Their slate included Iowa State +3, Kansas -13.5, and UNLV -27.5, among others.

Another user discussing the North Carolina vs. TCU game noted that "Bill Belichick's Tar Heels are live underdogs," an interesting storyline for those following coaching moves. Posts suggest betting content is everywhere, with one account promoting "Kalshi Promo Code FOXSPORTS Unlocks $25 Bonus For Your Favorite College Football Week 0 Game."

The enthusiasm is real, even if the bankrolls might not survive. As @logomachistsportsnyc.com put it: "Week 0 of college football is finally here. 🏈 It's been too long... Hey, would you rather have no college fo[otball]?"

Conference Play Gets Rolling

The ACC appears particularly active in Week 0, with multiple posts reporting that five ACC teams are in action. According to @lockedinmagazine.bsky.social, "The 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference football season kicks off Saturday, August 29, with five ACC teams competing" across various matchups and networks.

HBCU football is also getting attention, with one post detailing ESPN's broadcast schedule for historically Black colleges and universities. The lineup reportedly includes Mississippi Valley State at Nicholls on Thursday night and the Birmingham Football Classic featuring Southern vs. Alabama State on Saturday.

The "I Told You So" Energy Is Already Here

Nothing says Week 0 like someone getting way too confident about early picks. User @mattbakercfb.bsky.social couldn't help themselves: "If I were a lesser man, I would brag about being 2-0 in my picks (ISU and the under) after only one game, thanks to that overturned TD. But no, no. I would not boast about a 2-0 record after only one game."

Narrator: They absolutely just boasted about it.

Why Week 0 Hits Different

There's something about these early games that generates outsized excitement relative to their actual importance. Part of it is simple deprivation — it's been months since the last meaningful college football, and fans are jonesing for the return of game-day routines. Part of it is the novelty: Week 0 feels like you're getting away with something, sneaking a preview before the real party starts.

The conversation on Bluesky reflects this energy. Posts range from straightforward game previews to power rankings (Clemson got a mention as an "interesting" ACC team to watch) to discussions about NFL Draft prospects like USC's Jayden Maiava, who users note should be on fans' radars for the 2027 draft.

One user, @energyis.bsky.social, captured the vibe perfectly when discussing what they thought was the 2025 season: "The 2025 college football season officially kicks off with 'Week 0' on Saturday, August 23rd... OK ❤️ I AM STOKED!"

The Long Wait Is Over

Columnist John Canzano summed up the opening action with typical Week 0 restraint: "College football kicked off with a big hit, a great story, and some questions." That's about right — Week 0 always delivers just enough to remind you why you love this sport, while leaving plenty of questions for the weeks ahead.

The full season schedule is apparently available through various outlets, with posts mentioning start times and TV channels for those planning their weekends around football for the next several months. (So, everyone reading this.)

For now, though, fans are just happy to have games back. Even if it means lighting money on fire with questionable betting picks and overanalyzing matchups between teams that might not crack anyone's top 25. That's the beauty of Week 0: it doesn't have to make perfect sense. It just has to be football.

And after months without it, that's more than enough.