Top 10 games to watch Week 1 of college football season

The 2026 college football season has kicked off, and Week 1 begins Thursday night. The slate doesn’t pack as much of a punch as some years past with only one ranked matchup and eight games between power conference teams. But it’s college football nonetheless, and we’re happy to have it back.

There will be games from Thursday to Monday. Some feature coaches making their debuts at new schools, such as LSU’s Lane Kiffin and Auburn’s Alex Golesh. Others include coaches trying to save their jobs with an early win. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 games in Week 1.

1. Clemson at LSU

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

Kiffin will make his debut as No. 11 LSU’s coach in primetime against Clemson, one of the most anticipated season-opening home games in program history. It marks the first chance to see Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt and the rest of a $40 million-plus roster after an offseason filled with drama. Meanwhile, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has a chance to prove his team can rebound after posting its worst record in the past 15 years. LSU is currently a 9.5-point favorite, according to Polymarket odds.

2. Ole Miss–Louisville

Location: Nashville
Time: Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

This is the only Week 1 matchup between ranked teams in the AP Poll. After making a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, No. 9 Ole Miss brought back quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Their returns gave Pete Golding some star power in his first full season as the head coach. Louisville slipped down the stretch last season, but the No. 24 Cardinals might contend for the ACC title after signing Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. Ole Miss is currently a 6.5-point favorite, according to Polymarket odds.

3. SMU at Florida State

Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Time: Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

An early conference game will help show whether or not No. 19 SMU can contend for the ACC championship and Florida State coach Mike Norvell can keep his job. SMU is coming off a 9-4 season in which three losses came by a combined seven points. Rhett Lashlee‘s squad will try to return to the ACC title game for the second time in three years with quarterback Kevin Jennings, who dealt with a finger injury early in camp. Florida State struggled early against New Mexico State in Week 0, and a third straight losing season would likely spell the end for Norvell. SMU is currently a 2.5-point favorite on Polymarket.

4. Baylor–Auburn

Location: Atlanta
Time: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

This matchup will feature new quarterbacks for both teams. Baylor signed Florida transfer DJ Lagway entering a critical seventh season for head coach Dave Aranda, who needs a win to alleviate some pressure. Can Lagway, a former five-star recruit, improve after a disappointing sophomore year? Golesh brought quarterback Byrum Brown and 12 other players with him from South Florida as he remade the Auburn roster. Brown posted huge numbers last season with the Bulls. Auburn is a 7.5-point favorite, per Polymarket.

5. UCLA at Cal

Location: Berkeley, California
Time:Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

UCLA and Cal both made head coaching changes in the offseason. UCLA hired Bob Chesney after he led James Madison to the CFP, and Cal brought back former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to his alma mater. The quarterbacks make this game particularly intriguing. Former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava is in his second season with the Bruins, and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele could be one of the best quarterbacks in the country after showing a lot of upside as a true freshman. Polymarket currently has UCLA as a 1.5-point favorite.

6. Notre Dame–Wisconsin

Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Time: Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC

Notre Dame has national championship expectations after missing the CFP last season. The No. 4 Fighting Irish had to replace two first-round draft picks at running back, but otherwise, Marcus Freeman brought back most of his team. Redshirt sophomore CJ Carr is leading the way, and he could be one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Wisconsin signed Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph as head coach Luke Fickell fights to save his job. There are currently no odds on the game at Polymarket.

7. Colorado at Georgia Tech

Location: Atlanta
Time: Thursday at 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key had to find a new quarterback, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator after a 9-4 season. Indiana transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza will make his first career start, and Michigan transfer running back Justice Haynes is expected to be a big part of the Yellow Jackets’ offense. The shine wore off the Deion Sanders era at Colorado during a 3-9 season, so he could use an upset win. It’ll be a homecoming for sophomore quarterback Julian Lewis, a Georgia native. Georgia Tech is currently a 6.5-point favorite, per Polymarket.

8. UNLV at Hawai’i

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Time: Saturday at 10 p.m. ET
Channel: CW

This is an early matchup for supremacy in the Mountain West and a potential CFP elimination game for two teams that entered the season with hopes of snagging the Group of 6 bid. UNLV and Hawai’i both lost their Week 0 games to Memphis and Stanford, respectively. UNLV’s offense stalled in the second half, while Hawai’i couldn’t complete a fourth-quarter comeback. UNLV is favored by 2.5 points, per Polymarket.

9. Tulane at Duke

Location: Durham, North Carolina
Time: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ACC Network

Tulane beat Duke last season. Both went on to win their respective conference championships, and Tulane reached the CFP. A lot has changed since then. Tulane has a new head coach after choosing offensive assistant Will Hall as the replacement for Jon Sumrall. The Green Wave will start Houston transfer quarterback Zeon Chriss-Gremillion. Duke also has a new quarterback, San Jose State transfer Walker Eget, after losing Darian Mensah to Miami. The Blue Devils are currently 9.5-point favorites on Polymarket.

10. Washington State at Washington

Location: Seattle
Time: Sunday at 4 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC

Conference realignment has given us a rivalry game in Week 1. Washington State will play its first game under new head coach Kirby Moore, a former Missouri offensive coordinator. Moore named UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick the starting quarterback after fall camp. Washington is entering the third season for head coach Jedd Fisch, who kept quarterback Demond Williams after his flirtation with the transfer portal. According to Polymarket, Washington is currently a 22.5-point favorite in the Apple Cup.