CBS Sports has unveiled a 2026 college football broadcast schedule built around 14 Big Ten appearances in the network's signature 3:30 p.m. ET window, a lineup that pairs marquee conference rivalries with the long-awaited return of the Pac-12 to national television. The slate also features three legs of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series between Army, Navy and Air Force, capped by the traditional Army-Navy clash at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Week 7 headlines the early part of the calendar, with Penn State traveling to Michigan as both programs search for their first Big Ten win of the season - an outcome few expected given their preseason top-25 billing. Michigan enters that game under first-year coach Kyle Whittingham, still finding its offensive footing despite an early win over Oklahoma that looks better by the week following the Sooners' upset of top-ranked Texas. For fans following the broader entertainment landscape around college football weekends, questions like is the plinko game real money? continue to circulate online, though CBS's focus here remains squarely on the gridiron and the stakes building toward the postseason. is the plinko game real money?
Ohio State's October Test in Iowa City
One of the season's most consequential early matchups arrives Oct. 3, when Ohio State visits Iowa. The Buckeyes have won 15 of their last 17 meetings in this series, but both losses came in Iowa City, and Kirk Ferentz's defense has been suffocating through the first three weeks, allowing just 13 total points. Ohio State, still carrying championship and College Football Playoff expectations after squandering a 20-point fourth-quarter lead at Texas in Week 2, will need to contend with an Iowa rushing attack averaging 7.4 yards per carry behind Kamari Moulton and a veteran offensive line.
UCLA-Oregon and the Pac-12's Return
CBS's Oct. 10 broadcast of UCLA at Oregon doubles as a showcase for the Pac-12's reconstituted presence on national television. First-year UCLA coach Bob Chesney, who built his reputation at James Madison, has the Bruins playing spoiler in the Big Ten championship conversation behind running back Wayne Knight. Oregon, meanwhile, has rebounded from a Week 2 loss at Oklahoma State and remains focused on a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance under Dan Lanning. The network's Pac-12 coverage will extend through the season, culminating in the conference championship game on CBS.
Black Friday in Iowa City, Then Army-Navy
The Nebraska-Iowa rivalry, reignited by Nebraska's move to the Big Ten, returns to its Black Friday slot on Nov. 27 at noon ET from Iowa City, ahead of the regular season's final Big Ten on CBS window the following day. History suggests another tight finish - 10 of the 15 meetings as conference rivals have been decided by eight points or fewer. Last year's lopsided 40-16 Iowa win reflected contrasting circumstances late in the season rather than a shift in competitive balance between the two sides. The season then closes with the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy finale, as Army and Navy meet in their customary late-season fixture at MetLife Stadium.
