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ESPN announces Vegas Kickoff Classic future lineup additions

Joe Cox|
Arkansas was announced as a future participant in a Las Vegas Classic game on ESPN.
Arkansas was announced as a future participant in a Las Vegas Classic game on ESPN. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

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Arkansas RazorbacksTexas Tech Red RaidersBYU CougarsOregon State Beavers

ESPN has expanded its Week 1 Vegas Kickoff Classic lineup through 2030. ESPN had previously announced a pair of 2027 games and one for 2029, but supplemented that announcement with games slated for 2028 and 2030. A pair of FCS matchups supplement three power conference battles on ESPN's future radar.

Newly Announced Games

ESPN announced a 2028 battle between Big 12 BYU and Pac-12 Oregon State. This renews a matchup last explored in 2013, with Oregon State holding a 6-5 all-time lead in the rivalry. The two teams previously played in Las Vegas in the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl, which BYU won 44-20.

The slated 2030 game might be an even bigger deal, as two former conference rivals will renew acquaintances. Texas Tech of the Big 12 will face SEC foe Arkansas to open their respective seasons in Vegas. Those teams are certainly familiar to each other as the faced off in the 2024 Liberty Bowl. Arkansas won that game 39-26. The Razorbacks hold the all-time series lead 30-8.

The exact dates, times, and TV channels will be determined at a later date, but the slate will take place on the opening weekend of the college football season at Allegiant Stadium the home of the L.A. Raiders.

Previously announced games

The 2027 games were previously announced and are already set. On Saturday, September 4, 2027, Miami from the ACC will battle Big 12 foe Utah. Those two teams have actually never faced each other and ESPN has indicated that it will bill the game as the "Battle of the U."

Earlier that weekend, another game will be played between FCS powers North Dakota State and Montana State. NDSU has won ten FCS national titles, including the 2024 crown. Montana State has one FCS crown, but those teams met in the 2024 title game, with NDSU winning 35-32.

The other announced game was another FCS battle, this one slated for 2029. Montana and South Dakota State will face off in that game. Montana has won a pair of FCS titles as has SDSU, which won back-to-back 2022 and 2023 titles.

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Joe Cox
JOE COX

Joe is a journalist and writer who covers college and professional sports. He has written or co-written over a dozen sports books, including several regional best sellers. His last book, A Fine Team Man, is about Jackie Robinson and the lives he changed. Joe has been a guest on MLB Network, the Paul Finebaum show and numerous other television and radio shows. He has been inside MLB dugouts, covered bowl games and conference tournaments with Saturday Down South and still loves telling the stories of sports past and present.

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