Football season is underway, and week 0 sets the tone for the 2026 season. The fourteen weeks start this Thursday, with games you won't want to miss.

Week 0 brings multiple must-see matchups featuring CAA squads, including a ranked out-of-conference matchups that starts the FCS season off with a bang.

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As teams figure out their starting lineup and athletes recover from injuries, these matchups are set to deliver intense games. New coaches, new transfers- here are the games you will not want to miss this week.

Maine vs. Towson - August 27, 2026

The football season starts on Thursday, August 27, 2026, with the first conference game of the season. In Towson, Maryland, the Towson Tigers face off against Maine. Not only is this a conference matchup, but it is a matchup that could decide the rest of the season. In the CAA preseason rankings, Towson was ranked 6th with 93 points, and Maine was close behind in 7th with 88 points. 

Not only will the match be a great game to commence the 2026 football season, but this game could decide who will finish ahead at the end of the season. 

The first CAA play to go Live on FloCollege will commence at 6:00 pm ET this Thursday.

UNH vs. UAlbany - August 28, 2026

The second CAA matchup also commences during week 0. In upstate New York, the University at Albany will host the University of New Hampshire. If this were a 2025 season, the game would not be a hot matchup, but this year there are new chances along with new coaches.

Both the Wildcats and the Great Danes have new head coaches for the 2026 season, ready to change the tides. Two-time CAA champion Sean Goldrich becomes the new face of UNH, returning to his alma mater. 

After a successful stint at the University of Susquehanna, Tom Perkovich becomes the new head coach of UAlbany. He brings with him some of his top players, including Rahshan La Mons, who earned 1,650 rushing yards as just a freshman. 

The cannot-miss game of the weekend will start at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, only on FloCollege.

Glenville State vs. Elon - August 27, 2026

Glenville State vs. Elon is a highly anticipated matchup between a DII and FCS school. 

Coming from the MEC conference, Glenville State is picked 6th under head coach Jake Casteel. 

Elon is among the major competitors in the CAA, being ranked 3rd in the conference.

This matchup will be an estimate of how the season will play out for these teams. 

Don't miss this North Carolina matchup Live on FloCollege at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday.

(23) Monmouth vs. (15) Tennessee Tech - August 29, 2026

You'll need ESPN+ to watch this matchup, but it is a highly anticipated FCS game. 

The FCS preseason rankings list both teams in the top 25, with Tennessee Tech at 15 and Monmouth at 23. 

Monmouth has an experienced roster, being ranked in their own CAA preseason poll. Tennessee Tech has a unique secret weapon of a 6 foot 8 quarter back. Jax Leatherwood enters his first season at Tech after transferring from Southeast Missouri State. 

This game is the highest-ranked of the weekend and will provide a lot of insight into where Monmouth stands this season in the FCS.

Predicted Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2026

1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes), 144
2. Monmouth, 119
3. Elon, 115
4. New Hampshire, 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote), 105
6. Towson, 93
7. Maine, 88
8. Campbell, 56
9. Bryant, 50
10. Sacred Heart, 49
11. UAlbany, 35
12. North Carolina A&T, 28
13. Hampton, 26

FCS Preseason Rankings 2026

1. Montana State (25)
2. Montana
3. South Dakota State (1)
4. Illinois State
5. Tarleton State
6. UC Davis
7. Villanova
8. Rhode Island
9. Youngstown State
10. North Dakota
11. Lehigh
12. South Dakota
13. Stephen F Austin
14. Abilene Christian
15. Tennessee Tech
16. Southern Illinois
17. Mercer
18. Austin Peay
19. Yale
20. Southeastern Louisiana
21. Lamar
22. UT Martin
23. Monmouth
24. Northern Arizona
25. South Carolina State

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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