Week 1 officially gets rolling with a 91-game slate, and several high-profile matchups immediately carry College Football Playoff implications.
Games to watch
No. 2 Oregon vs. Boise State
The Ducks begin their campaign against a Boise State program that has won three straight Mountain West titles. Oregon will be heavily favored, but Boise State has enough experience to make this an intriguing early test.
Clemson vs. No. 11 LSU
This is arguably the marquee game of Saturday night. Clemson travels to Baton Rouge for an SEC-ACC showdown where both teams can make an immediate statement about their playoff ambitions.
No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin
The teams meet at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, giving the matchup a unique setting. Notre Dame enters as the higher-ranked team, but Wisconsin has the physical style to make this a difficult opener.
No. 5 Texas vs. Texas State
Texas should be favored, but the bigger storyline is preparation for next week’s enormous showdown with Ohio State.
No. 1 Ohio State vs. Ball State
The defending national-title contender begins its season at home. Ohio State is expected to control the game, while the key question is how quickly its new-look roster establishes itself.
Other storylines
No. 6 Indiana, the defending national champion after a historic 16–0 2025 season, opens against North Texas.
Indiana University Athletics
No. 7 Miami vs. Stanford gives the Hurricanes an early opportunity to reinforce their status as one of the ACC’s leading playoff contenders.
No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville is one of Sunday’s most important games.
Penn State vs. Marshall begins Matt Campbell’s tenure in Happy Valley, with expectations immediately high.
SMU vs. Florida State closes Week 1 with a Labor Day-night matchup on September 7.
Week 1 prediction
Best game: Clemson–LSU
Biggest upset possibility: Louisville over Ole Miss
Team under the microscope: Texas
National-title favorite to watch: Ohio State
Game with the most playoff implications: Clemson–LSU
