College football’s new season begins with an opening weekend led by North Carolina’s game against TCU in Dublin, where new Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick will face immediate pressure to deliver a stronger start than last year. The article argues that the return of games offers a respite from an off-season dominated by disputes over player eligibility, finances and governance.

However, legal uncertainty remains central, with players in Texas and Louisiana receiving local court orders permitting them to play despite rules adopted by conferences including the SEC and Big Ten. Lawyers have added the SEC to amended lawsuits, potentially requiring the conference to defend its position in a Louisiana court; the outcome could affect LSU and other schools if injunctions conflict with conference rules on athletes with professional ties.