When does the 2017 college football season start?

The 2017 college football season is approaching, so when will it officially begin?

The backend of the summer is almost here, which means the 2017 college football season is on the way. It will mark the sport’s eight-month wait since January’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

In the title game, Clemson defeated Alabama, 35-31, to pull off their revenge win from the season prior, when the Crimson Ride won the championship in January 2016. For the most recent game of the two, the Tigers were led by Deshaun Watson, who left for the 2017 NFL Draft.

As for the 2017 Clemson team, they’ll look to stay on the national landscape with a strong start to the season. However, competition will be there from ACC stalwart, Florida State. Other programs could be in for rebound seasons or meteoric rises to the top, due to incoming freshmen or the improved play of a handful of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

USC will be a team to watch for in the college football season. After Sam Darnold took over as the quarterback in Week 4 of 2016, the Trojans never looked back and won every game they played, including the Rose Bowl.

Now, Darnold is back for a full season under the helm, and will look to lead USC to the College Football Playoff. Their sights may be set on the National Championship Game, too.

Penn State could be a team to watch for in the 2017 college football season. They will have running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley return, both of whom will look to continue the success they found in the Rose Bowl. Will they be in the hunt for the National Championship?

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The 2017 college football season will kick off on Saturday, August 26, with a slate of games. This includes Oregon State vs. Colorado State. Most Division-I schools will see their year begin on September 2.