NBC Unveils CFB Announcers: #14 USC Opens Season Aug 29
NBC Sports Announces 2026 College Football Broadcast Team and Schedule
Quick Note: This article breaks down NBC Sports’ big announcement from August 19, 2026. Think of it as your TV guide for the upcoming college football season—explained simply!
What’s the Big News?
NBC Sports just revealed who will be calling the games and which games you can watch on NBC and Peacock for the 2026 college football season. They’ll air more than 25 games featuring Big Ten teams and Notre Dame.
The season kicks off in just 10 days—on August 29—with USC hosting San Jose State.
Meet the Broadcast Teams
Big Ten Saturday Night (Presented by Discover)
These three are back for their fourth season together—they know each other like old friends.
| Role | Name | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-Play | Noah Eagle | Describes every snap, pass, and touchdown |
| Analyst | Todd Blackledge | Former Penn State QB; 33rd season calling college football! |
| Sideline Reporter | Kathryn Tappen | Brings you updates from the field |
First Game: They start with San Jose State at USC (Aug 29, 3 p.m. ET), then Big Ten Saturday Night begins with Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan (Sept 5, 7:30 p.m. ET).
Notre Dame Football (36th Season on NBC!)
Veteran voices + a fresh face on the sideline.
| Role | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-Play | Dan Hicks | 3rd straight season at Notre Dame; also called games 2013–2016 |
| Analyst | Jason Garrett | 12-year NFL QB; 16 years coaching (9 as Cowboys head coach); 5th season on Notre Dame broadcasts |
| Sideline Reporter | Caroline Pineda | NEW this year! NBC Sports reporter since 2022; did Blue-Gold Game & Pro Day |
Season Opener: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field (Sept 6, 7:30 p.m. ET)—that’s the Packers’ stadium!
More Voices You’ll Hear
Play-by-Play Announcers
- Paul Burmeister – NBC veteran, back for more Big Ten games
- Jason Benetti – NEW to NBC Sports college football
- Dave Flemming – NEW to NBC Sports college football
Analysts (The “Experts” Who Explain Strategy)
- Yogi Roth – Former USC coach & Pitt wide receiver; also joins College Countdown as a field reporter
- Matt Cassel – 14-year NFL QB, 2010 Pro Bowler; works select Big Ten games
Sideline Reporters
- Ashley ShahAhmadi – NBC Sports college football debut this season
- Caroline Pineda – Also helps on select Big Ten games
College Countdown (Presented by Genesis)
Your pregame show—like a warm-up before the big race.
| Role | Name | Quick Bio |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Ahmed Fareed | Covers MLB, NBA, Olympics, horse racing, Premier League |
| Analyst | Chris Simms | Former Texas QB (1999–2002), 8-year NFL career |
| Analyst | Joshua Perry | Former Ohio State LB; won 2015 National Championship; 2 NFL seasons |
| Insider | Nicole Auerbach | National college sports reporter; 4th season on Big Ten coverage |
| Betting Analyst | Connor Rogers | 2nd season; also NFL Draft analyst |
| Host (Weeks 1–4) | John Fanta | Fills in while Fareed does MLB; does “Fanta in 60” segments; BIG EAST basketball voice |
Must-Watch Primetime Games
Circle These Dates! All times Eastern.
| Date | Matchup | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29 | San Jose State at No. 14 USC | Season opener! |
| Sept 5 | Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan | Kyle Whittingham’s debut as Michigan head coach |
| Sept 6 | No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field | Historic NFL stadium! |
| Nov 7 | No. 7 Miami at Notre Dame | Top-10 showdown |
| Nov 21 | No. 19 SMU at Notre Dame | Late-season blockbuster |
Full Schedule (Announced So Far)
Tip: All games on NBC & Peacock unless marked “Peacock only.”
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 29 | 3:00 PM | San Jose State at USC | NBC, Peacock |
| Thu, Sep 3 | 8:00 PM | Eastern Illinois at Minnesota | Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 5 | 7:30 PM | Western Michigan at Michigan | NBC, Peacock |
| Sun, Sep 6 | 4:00 PM | Washington State at Washington | NBC, Peacock |
| Sun, Sep 6 | 7:30 PM | Wisconsin at Notre Dame (Lambeau) | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 12 | 3:30 PM | Rice at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 12 | 7:30 PM | Iowa State at Iowa | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 19 | 12:30 PM | Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin | Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 19 | 2:00 PM | Southern Illinois at Illinois | Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 19 | 4:00 PM | Western Kentucky at Indiana | Peacock |
| Sat, Sep 19 | 7:30 PM | Michigan State at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 3:30 PM | Stanford at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 7:30 PM | Miami at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 3:30 PM | Boston College at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat, Nov 21 | 7:30 PM | SMU at Notre Dame | NBC, Peacock |
| Fri, Nov 27 | 7:30 PM | Minnesota at Wisconsin | NBC, Peacock |
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 25+ games on NBC & Peacock this season
- Big Ten Saturday Night crew returns for Year 4 (Eagle, Blackledge, Tappen)
- Notre Dame gets a new sideline reporter (Caroline Pineda)
- Two new play-by-play voices join: Jason Benetti & Dave Flemming
- College Countdown pregame show has six experts covering analysis, insider info, and betting
- Peacock-only games are usually earlier/non-primetime slots
- Lambeau Field game (Sept 6) is a rare Sunday night college game in an NFL stadium
Summary
NBC Sports is ready for the 2026 college football season with a star-studded announce team and a packed schedule of 25+ Big Ten and Notre Dame games. The familiar Big Ten Saturday Night trio (Eagle, Blackledge, Tappen) returns for a fourth year, while Notre Dame broadcasts feature veterans Dan Hicks and Jason Garrett plus newcomer Caroline Pineda. New voices Jason Benetti and Dave Flemming join the play-by-play rotation, and the College Countdown pregame show brings deep expertise from former players, coaches, and insiders. Mark your calendars for blockbuster primetime matchups at Lambeau Field, plus top-10 clashes vs. Miami and SMU at Notre Dame. All games air on NBC and/or Peacock.
FAQ
1. When does the season start?
August 29, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET with San Jose State at USC on NBC and Peacock.
2. Who’s calling the Big Ten Saturday Night games?
Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (sideline)—same team for their 4th season.
3. What’s new for Notre Dame broadcasts?
Caroline Pineda is the new sideline reporter. Dan Hicks and Jason Garrett return.
4. Are all games on regular NBC?
Most are on both NBC and Peacock, but some early/non-primetime games (like Eastern Illinois at Minnesota) are Peacock-only. Check the schedule table!
5. Who hosts the pregame show?
Ahmed Fareed hosts College Countdown with analysts Chris Simms, Joshua Perry, insider Nicole Auerbach, betting analyst Connor Rogers, and John Fanta (first 4 weeks).
Ready for kickoff? Grab your snacks, pick your team, and tune in starting August 29!