Stanford beat UCLA for the PAC 12 championship last year and then went on to win the New Year's Day Rose Bowl game. Games are always fun on "the farm" and students will be back for 9/21 game to fill the "Red Zone " UCLA and USC both play at classic venues (the Rose Bowl and LA Coliseum respectively). UCLA will not have started Fall quarter and USC will have started Fall semester. I believe it is possible to get within walking distance of all 3 venues via public transportation (CalTrain in Bay area and Metro line in LA area). If the timing does not work, then you're likely to find a high school football game on one of your Friday nights. It is a different level of football but still part of the "American experience."

Even Lone Pine or Lee Vining may have a football team and game.