College Football Friday: Missouri-Kansas Rivalry Headlines Five-Game Slate
Week 2 of the 2026 college football season kicks off Friday night with five games on Sept. 11, headlined by a border rivalry showdown between Missouri and Kansas. While the slate is lighter than a typical Saturday, several teams are looking to build momentum or bounce back from disappointing openers before conference play intensifies.
Is There a College Football Game Tonight?
Yes, there are five games on Friday's college football schedule. The matchups feature ACC teams facing FCS opponents, a Big Ten clash, and one SEC squad in action.
College Football Games on Friday, September 11
All times listed are Eastern Time.
Richmond vs. NC State, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
NC State needs a strong rebound after a rough Week 1 loss to Virginia. Quarterback CJ Bailey struggled, throwing for just 84 yards with two turnovers. Richmond presents an ideal opportunity for Bailey to regain confidence against an FCS opponent, and the Wolfpack should secure a comfortable win.
Norfolk State vs. Virginia, 7 p.m. ET, ACC Network
Virginia made a statement in Week 1 with a 34-8 win over NC State. Quarterback Beau Pribula impressed in his debut, rushing for 110 yards and throwing two touchdowns. The Cavaliers should handle Norfolk State with ease, but the key question is whether they can maintain their intensity in a game they're expected to win.
Villanova vs. Louisville, 7 p.m. ET, ACC Network
Louisville showed promise despite a narrow loss to Ole Miss. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz finished with 307 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and a rushing score. The former Ohio State transfer looks to build on that performance against Villanova, giving the Cardinals a chance to get back on track.
Rutgers vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Both Rutgers and Boston College enter at 0-1 and desperately need a win. Rutgers has playmakers like receiver KJ Duff, who had 196 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, but quarterback uncertainty looms. This matchup could be close, with both head coaches feeling the pressure to avoid an early-season slide.
Missouri vs. Kansas, 8 p.m. ET, FOX
This is the marquee game of Friday night. Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons threw four touchdowns in a 54-14 Week 1 win, while Kansas racked up 613 yards in its opener. Missouri has the more talented roster, but Kansas is at home in a rivalry game with a potent offense. Keep an eye on Simmons as he adjusts to the Tigers' system, while star running back Ahmad Hardy remains sidelined with an injury.
When Are the Next College Football Games?
Saturday, Sept. 12, features a loaded schedule with top matchups including Texas vs. Ohio State and Oklahoma vs. Michigan. Iowa fans will want to circle the Cy-Hawk game between Iowa State and No. 21 Iowa at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Saturday's Full Schedule (All Times ET)
12:00 p.m. ET
- Appalachian State vs. East Carolina -- ESPNU
- Arizona State vs. No. 10 Texas A&M -- ABC
- ETSU vs. North Carolina -- ACCN
- No. 11 Oklahoma vs. Michigan -- FOX
- Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech -- The CW
- No. 6 Oregon vs. Oklahoma State -- ESPN/Disney+
- No. 16 Penn State vs. Temple -- ESPN2
- Wake Forest vs. Purdue -- FS1
- Washington State vs. Kansas State -- TNT/HBO Max
- Howard vs. No. 5 Indiana -- BTN
- Wofford vs. Kent State -- ESPN+
- USF vs. Army -- CBSSN
12:45 p.m. ET
- WKU vs. No. 2 Georgia -- SECN
1:00 p.m. ET
- Colgate vs. Central Michigan -- ESPN+
- Holy Cross vs. Miami (Ohio) -- ESPN+
- UT Martin vs. West Virginia -- ESPN+
2:00 p.m. ET
- Stony Brook vs. Ball State -- ESPN+
3:30 p.m. ET
- Duke vs. Illinois -- FS1
- Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan State -- BTN
- Maryland vs. UConn -- CBSSN
- Mississippi State vs. Minnesota -- CBS/Paramount+
- Robert Morris vs. Akron -- ESPN+
- UCF vs. Pitt -- ESPN2
- ULM vs. UAB -- ESPN+
- UTSA vs. Texas State -- The CW
- Wagner vs. James Madison -- ESPN+
- Weber State vs. Colorado -- ESPN+
- Sacred Heart vs. UMass -- ESPN+
- Rice vs. No. 3 Notre Dame -- NBC/Peacock
- Central Connecticut vs. Toledo -- ESPN+
- Utah State vs. No. 19 Washington -- BTN
- No. 12 Alabama vs. Kentucky -- ABC/Disney+
- Arizona vs. No. 15 BYU -- FOX
- California vs. Syracuse -- ACCN
3:45 p.m. ET
- UNLV vs. North Texas -- ESPNU
4:00 p.m. ET
- Alabama State vs. Troy -- ESPN+
- Northern Colorado vs. Wyoming -- MW+
- Mercyhurst vs. New Mexico -- MW+
- UC Davis vs. No. 17 SMU -- ACCNX
4:15 p.m. ET
- Delaware vs. Vanderbilt -- SECN
5:30 p.m. ET
- Campbell vs. Florida -- SECN+
6:00 p.m. ET
- Buffalo vs. FIU -- ESPN+
- Memphis vs. Boise State -- USA
- Gardner-Webb vs. Liberty -- ESPN+
- Jacksonville State vs. Ohio -- ESPN+
6:30 p.m. ET
- Monmouth vs. Western Michigan -- ESPN+
7:00 p.m. ET
- Illinois State vs. Northern Illinois -- MW+
- Middle Tennessee vs. Marshall -- ESPN+
- South Alabama vs. Tulane -- ESPN+
- Southern Utah vs. Colorado State -- CBSSN
- Towson vs. South Carolina -- SECN+
- Tulsa vs. Sam Houston -- ESPN+
- West Georgia vs. Arkansas State -- ESPN+
- Western Carolina vs. Cincinnati -- ESPN+
- Georgia State vs. Kennesaw State -- ESPN+
- Bowling Green vs. Nebraska -- FS1
- No. 18 Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech -- ESPN
- Southern vs. No. 22 Houston -- ESPN+
- Lindenwood vs. Missouri State -- ESPN+
7:15 p.m. ET
- San Diego State vs. UCLA -- BTN
- Western Illinois vs. Wisconsin -- BTN
7:30 p.m. ET
- Fordham vs. Coastal Carolina -- ESPN+
- Georgia Southern vs. Clemson -- ACCN
- Iowa State vs. No. 21 Iowa -- NBC/Peacock
- No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Texas -- ABC
- No. 13 Texas Tech vs. Oregon State -- CBS/Paramount+
- Louisiana Tech vs. No. 8 LSU -- SECN+
- Navy vs. Florida Atlantic -- ESPNU
7:45 p.m. ET
- Southern Miss vs. Auburn -- SECN
- Charlotte vs. No. 9 Ole Miss -- ESPN2
8:00 p.m. ET
- Prairie View A&M vs. Baylor -- ESPN+
- Grambling State vs. TCU -- ESPN+
9:00 p.m. ET
- Cal Poly vs. San Jose State -- NBCS Bay/MW+
- Texas Southern vs. UTEP -- MW+
10:00 p.m. ET
- North Dakota State vs. Air Force -- FS1
10:15 p.m. ET
- Arkansas vs. No. 20 Utah -- ESPN
10:30 p.m. ET
- Sacramento State vs. Fresno State -- CBSSN
- Montana State vs. Nevada -- The CW
11:00 p.m. ET
- Louisiana vs. No. 14 USC -- BTN
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.