The 2026 college football season is set to kick off with a series of guarantee games that promise substantial payouts for visiting teams. These matchups, scheduled from Thursday, September 3 to Sunday, September 6, will see several teams receiving hefty financial incentives to compete against powerhouse programs. Among the most notable payouts, Ohio State will offer Ball State a staggering $1.9 million to play at Ohio Stadium.
The opening week of college football is traditionally marked by these guarantee games, where smaller programs face off against larger, more established teams in exchange for significant financial compensation. This year, Florida State has already made headlines by paying New Mexico State $1.4 million for a Week 0 matchup, which the Seminoles won decisively, 34-17. This encounter also highlighted the first game in the newly expanded Doak Campbell Stadium, which now holds 40,000 fans.
On Thursday, September 3, UAB will face Illinois, with the Blazers set to receive $1.125 million for their efforts. This game marks a departure for UAB, which has historically played SEC opponents since its return to football in 2017. Coach Alex Mortensen, who took over as interim coach in the latter part of the 2025 season, will be hoping for a better outcome against a Big Ten opponent than the team's previous record against the SEC, where they went 0-9.
Friday, September 4, features a matchup between UTEP and Oklahoma, with the Miners slated to earn $1.5 million for their visit to Norman. This game is a rematch of sorts, as UTEP previously received $1 million for a loss to the Sooners in 2022. Oklahoma has dominated this series, winning all five meetings since the turn of the century by a combined score of 248-41.
Another notable game on Friday will see Toledo visit Michigan State for a payout of $1.3 million. This matchup marks the beginning of the Pat Fitzgerald era for the Spartans, who have frequently opened their seasons against teams from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Michigan State has a strong track record against MAC opponents, having won their last eight games against teams from the conference.
As the weekend progresses, the highlight remains Ohio State's matchup against Ball State on Saturday, September 5. The Buckeyes will not only be offering the largest payout of the week but also have a significant historical advantage, boasting a perfect 32-0 record against MAC teams. This game will be the first-ever meeting between Ohio State and Ball State, and many expect the Buckeyes to extend their dominance.
Other games on Saturday include Michigan hosting Western Michigan for $1.5 million, and Alabama taking on East Carolina, also for $1.5 million. The Crimson Tide's matchup is particularly noteworthy as it results from the SEC's shift to a nine-game conference schedule, which led to the cancellation of a previously scheduled home-and-home series with West Virginia.
In total, the first week of the 2026 college football season will see multiple teams reaping the benefits of these guarantee games, with payouts designed to help smaller programs financially while providing larger schools with opportunities to bolster their schedules. As the season approaches, fans can look forward to an exciting kickoff weekend filled with intriguing matchups and significant financial stakes.
Leave a Comment