College football returns tonight with a Friday night slate featuring three FBS games on October 2, 2026. Fans can watch matchups involving Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Liberty, Delaware, Penn State and Northwestern before a loaded Saturday schedule takes center stage.
Here is a look at the college football games today, including kickoff times and TV channels. All times listed are Eastern Time.
College Football Schedule Today – October 2, 2026
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 PM | Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech | ESPN |
| 7:00 PM | Liberty at Delaware | CBS Sports Network |
| 8:00 PM | Penn State at Northwestern | FOX |
Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Pittsburgh travels to face Virginia Tech in one of Friday night’s featured college football matchups.
The ACC showdown gives both programs an opportunity to pick up an important conference victory as the 2026 season moves deeper into October.
Fans can watch Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech on ESPN, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Liberty vs. Delaware
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Liberty hits the road for a Friday night matchup against Delaware.
The game kicks off at 7:00 PM ET and will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Penn State vs. Northwestern
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Penn State travels to Northwestern for a Big Ten matchup in the final FBS game of the night.
The game receives a national broadcast window on FOX, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.
For college football fans looking for a Power Four matchup in primetime, Penn State vs. Northwestern provides Friday night’s late game.
Are There College Football Games Tonight?
Yes. There are three FBS college football games scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM ET.
The night’s schedule features:
- Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
- Liberty at Delaware
- Penn State at Northwestern
Games will be available across ESPN, CBS Sports Network and FOX.
What College Football Game Is on FOX Tonight?
Penn State vs. Northwestern is scheduled to air on FOX tonight at 8:00 PM ET.
What College Football Games Are on ESPN Tonight?
ESPN will carry Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech beginning at 7:00 PM ET.
College Football Games Tomorrow
Friday’s three-game schedule serves as the appetizer for a much larger slate on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Notable Saturday matchups include:
- No. 3 Notre Dame at North Carolina
- No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State
- No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri
- No. 5 Ohio State at No. 14 Iowa
- No. 4 Miami at Clemson
- Auburn at No. 17 Tennessee
- No. 10 BYU at TCU
- Washington at No. 18 USC
Saturday’s schedule features games throughout the afternoon and evening, giving college football fans a full day of action following Friday night’s three-game slate.
College Football Games Today: October 2, 2026
College football fans have three FBS games to watch tonight. Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech and Liberty vs. Delaware kick off at 7:00 PM ET, followed by Penn State vs. Northwestern at 8:00 PM ET.
With ESPN, CBS Sports Network and FOX carrying games nationally, Friday night provides an early start to another busy weekend of the 2026 college football season.