College football 2026: 20 can't miss non-conference games

The 2026 season kicks off across the pond, where embattled North Carolina coach Bill Belichick begins Year 2. The Tar Heels have not played a game in '26, and the program remains in disarray following a rough 4-8 2025 under Belichick. Rumors of player discontent continue to swirl, and general manager Michael Lombardi is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward an office staff member. Meanwhile, TCU, which spoiled Belichick's UNC debut with a 48-14 win last season, looks to build on a nine-win season, but must do so without quarterback Josh Hoover, who is now at Indiana. 

Former FCS powers Jacksonville State and North Dakota State are now both members of the FBS. The Bison are debuting in the subdivision this season and will be playing out of the new-look, but rather watered-down, Mountain West Conference. But before it can tackle a new conference, NDSU will try to contain the Gamecocks, who have won nine games and made a bowl in each of their first three seasons at the FBS level. The last time these programs met was for the FCS title in January 2016.

Of course, Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders will draw continued attention with the distraction of son Shilo's bankruptcy looming over their season opener. However, the true intrigue of this matchup is at quarterback. Colorado might struggle to reach bowl eligibility this season, but sophomore Julian Lewis is worth watching after throwing four touchdowns in his last three games of 2025. Meanwhile, Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza, brother of Fernando, looks to make a name for himself while under center for Georgia Tech.

A rematch of last season's opener, where Auburn won 38-24. This season, the rematch is making waves as the first neutral-site contest to include an NIL deal -- with Auburn, which will have numerous team members promote the game (on social media) leading up to kickoff. Regardless of whether one agrees with the concept, this is the current college football climate. On the field, new Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown ushers in the Alex Golesh coaching era on the Plains. For Baylor, former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway faces a familiar SEC foe.

The battle of "Death Valleys" moves to LSU, one season after the Bayou Bengals rallied to win 17-10 at Clemson. This year, however, provides plenty of pre-game hype and intrigue. It begins with Lane Kiffin's coaching debut at LSU, one of the notable 2026 storylines. Meanwhile, Clemson is unranked to open the season for the first time in 15 years. Just one reason while coach Dabo Swinney will be firmly under the microscope -- again -- this season.

A rather under-the-radar matchup between ranked teams. Ole Miss became College Football Playoff darlings in 2025, and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (3,937 passing yards, 22 touchdowns; eight rushing TDs) is considered one of the best players in college football. Meanwhile, star Louisville running back Isaac Brown has totaled 2,057 yards in two seasons, but hopes to stay healthy in 2026.

Ranked No. 4 to open the season, Notre Dame's redemption tour begins in grand fashion at Lambeau Field against the Badgers. The Irish, led by Heisman Trophy candidate CJ Carr, are expected to contend for the national title, and would be in even more trouble by starting 0-2 for a second consecutive campaign than they did a year ago. Despite the atmosphere, losing to Wisconsin, which has failed to post a winning record each of the last two seasons and is still guided by embattled coach Luke Fickell, would be a serious upset. 

A potentially entertaining Big 12-SEC showdown. The Aggies are looking for a repeat trip to the College Football Playoffs, while ASU is trying to recapture the magic of 2024's 11-4 run to the CFP. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed threw for more than 3,100 yards with 25 touchdowns last season, and could be more productive in 2026. This is a good test for the Aggies and a potential proving ground for the Sun Devils.

This is arguably the most entertaining day of non-conference college football in 2026. Oklahoma never trailed en route to a 24-13 home win over Michigan last season. And, interestingly enough, both starting quarterbacks -- Sooners' John Mateer and Wolverines' Bryce Underwood -- are back for this season's rematch. This time, the Big House is the setting for these two ranked opponents, who again have College Football Playoff aspirations.

The Sooners aren't the only Oklahoma school facing a prominent Big Ten opponent this weekend. The new-look Cowboys, led by coach Eric Morris, who brought along quarterback Drew Mestemaker (4,379 passing yards, 34 touchdowns in 2025), running back Caleb Hawkins (1,434 rushing yards, 25 TDs), and receiver Wyatt Young (70 receptions, 1,264 yards, 10 TDs) with him from North Texas, have a chance to prove their worth. Of course, it comes against Oregon, led by Heisman candidate Dante Moore and a stacked roster with national championship aspirations. Moore went 16-of-21 for 266 yards with three touchdown passes during the Ducks' 69-3 home rout of Oklahoma State last season.

The Big Ten has had no trouble bragging about its national success over the SEC in recent seasons. And that's not just left to the big dogs in the conference. Mississippi State is trying to avoid a fourth straight losing season, so this is a big early 2026 moment for a program looking for a boost. At Minnesota, P.J. Fleck's Golden Gophers are playing an SEC team for the first time since 2020 and also have a chance to make a modest statement out of the gate.

The Cy-Hawk Trophy game between these two in-state rivals will have a new feel. Matt Campbell finally bolted Iowa State (now at Penn State, which does not play Iowa this season). New coach Jimmy Rogers will try to guide the Cyclones to a third straight victory over the Hawkeyes, whom they lost the last two by a combined four points. Iowa State has won three of the last four meetings after dropping six straight to the Hawkeyes, who enter the season ranked No. 22 by The AP. 

The Yellow Jackets are not taking it easy when it comes to their first two games of the season. Following that Colorado tilt, Georgia Tech hosts an SEC foe. During the 1980s, the Tennessee-Georgia Tech matchup was a regular occurrence, but these two power conference squads have not met since 2017. By this contest, we should know who will be starting under center for the Volunteers, who open the season ranked 20th by The Associated Press.

This is the biggest non-conference matchup of the season. Ohio State enters the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, while Texas is No. 5. During the Buckeyes' 14-7 home win over the Longhorns in 2025, neither Ohio State's Julian Sayin nor Texas' Arch Manning turned heads. However, both are Heisman candidates in 2026, and the game will be in Austin, where the prime-time atmosphere should be electric.

It's a big season for both of these perennial powers, who also happen to have their respective head coaches on the hot seat. Mike Norvell's time at Florida State seems to be running out, while the Tide die-hards aren't too happy with Kalen DeBoer. The Seminoles won last season's matchup with Alabama, 31-17, at home. That was also the highlight of FSU's campaign. Repeating that victory at Tuscaloosa will be a much tougher ask.

Though expectations for the Irish are usually high in 2026, they face a tough schedule. During one five-game stretch, Notre Dame will face three teams that begin the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. It begins with BYU at Provo, a potentially intriguing contest where the atmosphere should be wild. That said, Notre Dame has won four straight against the Cougars, dating to 2005, with the most recent meeting in 2022.

The days of "Catholics vs. Convicts" might be history, but don't think this rivalry has faded in intensity. In 2025, it was revived after a seven-year absence, and Miami's 27-24 home victory might have been the reason it made the CFP at the expense of the Irish. Notre Dame will be the site of this year's matchup. The Hurricanes have lost three in a row and five of their last six trips to South Bend. 

Another potentially tricky home game for the Irish, their final such contest of the regular season. These teams have not met since 1989, but SMU has 31 games over the past three seasons and brings back one of the nation's most experienced quarterbacks, Kevin Jennings (7,709 passing yards, 55 touchdowns in 39 career games). Assuming both are healthy, the Jennings-CJ Carr matchup will be one to keep an eye on.

When it comes to rivalry games, Florida-Florida State has actually lost some luster in recent seasons. This rivalry still has brand-name recognition, but Florida State has won seven games over the past two seasons. The Gators, meanwhile, have failed to make a bowl in two of the last three years, and last posted a double-digit victory season in 2019. Florida, however, has won two straight and five of the last seven against the Seminoles. 

Is this the year Georgia Tech finally ends its current misery against the Bulldogs? Georgia has won the last eight meetings with the Yellow Jackets, but the last three have been decided by a total of 17 points. The Bulldogs are still the more powerful squad, but they will be only as good as quarterback Gunner Stockton can take them. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Georgia Tech moves on from star quarterback Haynes King.