The 2026 college football season officially begins, and fans are eager to see how the opening week unfolds. While last year featured a thrilling matchup of top-five teams, this year’s slate offers exciting games, including a Saturday night clash between LSU and Clemson, and a Sunday showdown between Ole Miss and Louisville.
One of the most anticipated games is the matchup between Boise State and No. 2 Oregon. Their previous encounter in 2024 ended in a nail-biting 37-34 victory for the Ducks, thanks to a last-second field goal. That game marked Boise State's only loss of the regular season, leading them to a 12-1 finish and a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. This season, expectations are high for Boise State as they aim to secure the Group of Six's playoff berth again. The Broncos will look to their returning quarterback Maddux Madsen, who struggled with a completion rate below 60% last year, and running back Dylan Riley, who rushed for over 1,100 yards. However, their defense, featuring seven new starters, will need to step up after recording only 27 sacks last season.
Oregon enters the season as a strong contender for the national championship, led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Dante Moore. After opting out of the 2026 NFL Draft, Moore is now under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, following Will Stein's departure to Kentucky. Despite some turnover issues in 2025, Oregon's quarterbacks have consistently completed over 70% of their passes for four consecutive seasons, and they aim to continue that trend this year.
Another major matchup features No. 11 LSU hosting Clemson. LSU coach Lane Kiffin noted that this game has drawn the most credential requests of any regular-season game, reflecting the high stakes involved. Both teams finished with a 7-6 record in 2025, and Kiffin's controversial tenure at LSU has made headlines since his arrival. The Tigers have made significant roster changes, including the addition of former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and several key transfers. Clemson, on the other hand, remains largely intact with homegrown talent, as quarterback Christopher Vizzina takes the reins from Cade Klubnik. The return of offensive coordinator Chad Morris is also notable, as he aims to improve a unit that struggled last season.
In a matchup with historical significance, Wisconsin faces No. 4 Notre Dame in Green Bay. The Badgers are coming off two consecutive losing seasons, a first since the early 1990s, and coach Luke Fickell is under pressure to rebuild the program. Wisconsin's new quarterback, Colton Joseph, transferred from Old Dominion and will need to stabilize the passing game. Notre Dame, meanwhile, boasts a formidable defense and a promising offense led by quarterback CJ Carr, who is a preseason Heisman favorite.
On Sunday, No. 24 Louisville takes on No. 9 Ole Miss in Nashville. Louisville enters the season with aspirations of making the College Football Playoff, especially after avoiding tough opponents like Miami and Clemson in their schedule. The Cardinals will rely on the performance of quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who transferred from Ohio State, while Ole Miss looks to build on last year's semifinal appearance with returning stars Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.
As the season kicks off, fans can also look forward to other notable matchups, including SMU at Florida State and Colorado at Georgia Tech. The excitement of college football is back, and Week 1 promises to deliver thrilling action and pivotal storylines as teams set the tone for the rest of the season.
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