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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
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The long wait is finally over. College football is back, as the first full week of action starts around the country.

Thursday, Sept. 1

College football (9 p.m.-1 a.m., Online): Tune in for the start of the Tony Hughes era, as the new head coach leads Jackson State against UNLV in a road game, which will stream online at CampusInsiders.com.

Friday, Sept. 2

College football (5-9 p.m., ESPN3): Mississippi Valley State hits the road to take on Eastern Michigan out of the Mid-American Conference.

Saturday, Sept. 3

College football (11 a.m.-3 p.m., SECN): Mississippi State starts a new quarterback at home against South Alabama out of the Sun Belt Conference. … College football (6:30-10 p.m., ESPNU): Watch coach Jay Hopson’s first time behind the reins at Southern Miss as the Golden Eagles take on Kentucky in an away game.

Sunday, Sept. 4

College football (noon-4 p.m., ESPN): The Fred McNair era begins at Alcorn State, as the Braves meet Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

Monday, Sept. 5

College football (7-11 p.m., ESPN): The first full weekend of college football ends with the UM Rebels and the Florida State Seminoles battling it out on Labor Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 6

Soccer (7-9 p.m., FS1): The road to Russia continues with the World Cup qualifier between host U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago.

Wednesday, Sept. 7

MLB (7-10 p.m., ESPN): The only baseball team to reach 80 wins, the Chicago Cubs, close out a series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Enjoy a great, long weekend of college football with some exciting matchups. Next week, the NFL returns with week one of the regular season.

Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.