There’s still time to cancel your plans for the best college football Saturday of the fall

Best College Football Games

College football is set to begin this weekend with what has been dubbed Week 0, but as we prepare for fall Saturdays spent on the couch in front of a television, we’ve already got our eyes on one November weekend college football slate that’s going to make you want to cancel all of your plans.

Based on the preseason rankings, Saturday, Nov. 7 will feature seven different top-25 showdowns, including three top-10 matchups and one game between the No. 1 and No. 2. Obviously, rankings will fluctuate and the final number of ranked showdowns will change between now and then, but one thing is for certain – it’s going to be an incredible weekend of college football, and you’re not going to want to miss any of it.

Here’s a rundown of what’s on the docket so you can cancel your plans while there’s still time.

#5 Texas at #25 Missouri

While this is probably the seventh-most compelling game of this weekend, it would be one of the best games of many other weekends.

The Texas Longhorns are entering the season as a legitimate national title contender with a huge chunk of their production back from last season and some key additions. On Nov. 7, they’ll be going on the road to face a Missouri team with playoff aspirations of their own.

Missouri has flirted with playoff contention each of the past two seasons. A win over Texas in November would be huge for making that a reality. Texas, meanwhile, can’t be caught looking ahead to a road trip to Baton Rouge to take on LSU the following week.

#18 Penn State vs. #17 Washington

This game may not seem like the same heavyweight showdown as some of the other games on this list, but it could have real College Football Playoff implications.

While Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are all squarely at the top of the Big Ten and figure to be the conference’s College Football Playoff frontrunners, there’s room for a fourth team to establish itself behind them between No. 14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington, No. 18 Penn State, and No. 22 Iowa.

This game will be huge because it could allow the winner to separate from that pack a little bit.

#14 BYU at #21 Utah

The Holy War is always a compelling game regardless of the stakes or the rankings. This year, however, it could be huge for the College Football Playoff race.

Both BYU and Utah are entering the season as contenders in the Big 12 as they hope to win the conference and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, and this is the biggest game for both of these teams as they look to make that a reality.

While BYU does have No. 4 Notre Dame on the schedule, Utah is the only ranked conference opponent in its path toward a potential Big 12 Championship Game appearance. Similarly, Utah does play No. 23 Houston on Oct. 24, which will be a big game itself, but BYU is the only other ranked team on the schedule.

This is a massive rivalry showdown for both of these schools, and it could have major Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications.

#13 Alabama at #11 LSU

For years, the showdowns between Nick Saban’s Alabama and Les Miles’ LSU Tigers were some of the most high-profile showdowns in college football. This year, we get the first matchup of the next generation with Kalen DeBoer leading Alabama against Lane Kiffin.

Both of these teams begin the season on the College Football Playoff bubble, so by early November, this game could potentially be a make-or-break game for either team depending on how the rest of the season plays out.

The game will be in Death Valley, and while the official kickoff time has not yet been announced, it’s likely that it will be a night game, so the stadium will be rocking.

#3 Georgia at #9 Ole Miss

Not only is this a rematch of the Sugar Bowl showdown between these two teams last season, but it has serious College Football Playoff implications.

Both Georgia and Ole Miss enter the season with College Football Playoff aspirations, and a win in this game would go a long way to making those dreams a reality.

Based on the preseason rankings, this is the highest-ranked matchup for either team on their schedule, so both programs will have this one circled. It will be especially meaningful to both the College Football Playoff and SEC Championship race if both teams enter the game unbeaten.

Either way, Oxford will be rocking as the defending SEC Champion comes to town.

#7 Miami at #4 Notre Dame

Miami and Notre Dame have both made appearances in the College Football Playoff national championship game over the past two seasons, with Miami losing to Indiana last season and Notre Dame falling to Ohio State the year before. Both programs have their sights set on returning to the playoff this season, but they’ll likely have to get past each other to do it.

The two teams will square off in South Bend in early November in what could be a pivotal matchup for both programs’ playoff hopes. With each team having only a handful of marquee games on the schedule, a win here could go a long way toward strengthening a College Football Playoff resume.

Last season, this matchup effectively determined which of the two teams would make the College Football Playoff, with Miami earning the spot over Notre Dame largely because of its early-season victory. This year could follow a similar path with this game serving as a de facto playoff elimination game.

#2 Oregon at #1 Ohio State

Ohio State and Oregon begin the season ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country, setting up a Nov. 7 showdown in Columbus that could determine the Big Ten race and have major implications for the playoff picture.

The Ducks bring back Dante Moore at quarterback, as well as running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., returning much of the core from a team that has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Ohio State, meanwhile, brings back Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin at quarterback, who will be throwing to superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

There’s no question this is Oregon’s biggest game of the regular season, with the Ducks looking for some revenge after Ohio State’s dominant victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl during the Buckeyes’ 2025 national championship run. For Ohio State, the matchup serves as the finale to a brutal stretch of the schedule. The Buckeyes will take on Iowa, Indiana, USC, and Oregon over the course of a month, leaving little room for error.

If Ohio State were to lose one of those other games, the matchup with the Ducks could become a must-win. If the Buckeyes navigate the gauntlet unbeaten, there’s a chance this could be a true No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown.

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