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Five nonconference games that will impact the CFP
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) tackles Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Five nonconference games that will impact the College Football Playoff

By Zach Wadley  |  Last updated Jun 17, 2025 9:39 PM ET

It's technically not even summer yet, but fall Saturdays seem oh so near. College football is less than 70 days from returning and as always, conference play promises enticing matchups, but there are several non-conference matchups that will impact the College Football Playoff.

Here are five to keep an eye on:

1. Texas at Ohio State | Aug. 30

A CFP semifinal rematch in Week 1 is just what the doctor ordered to welcome back the college football season. While Arch Manning has made plenty of appearances for the Longhorns, this will be his first game as the full-time starter.

An early loss against Texas won't be catastrophic for the defending-champion Buckeyes, but it will make their Big Ten schedule that much more difficult. Texas has a lighter SEC schedule, if there is such a thing, but a first-game loss is not ideal.

This game has been dangled as a bargaining chip in future CFP formats with Ohio State HC Ryan Day saying heavyweight showdowns may not happen unless automatic qualifiers are given to the SEC and Big Ten.

"If you don't have those automatic qualifiers, you're less likely to play a game like we're playing this year against Texas, because it just won't make sense," Day said.

This will also be Lee Corso's "College Gameday" farewell.

2. LSU at Clemson | Aug. 30

Here's another Week 1 showdown to welcome fans back to football. LSU is operating on a playoff-or-bust mindset with returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and a revamped roster that should have the Tigers in contention.

"This is the best roster that we’ve put together," LSU head coach Brian Kelly recently told ESPN's Paul Finebaum. "It’s part of a process that has taken a little more time than we wanted, but we’re doing it the right way, and we’re pretty excited about what our football team looks like.”

That roster will immediately be put to the test under the lights in Clemson's Death Valley. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has improved each season (3,639 yards, 36 TDs, six interceptions in 2024) meaning this game should be a showcase of two stud QBs.

3. Notre Dame at Miami | Aug. 31

A classic rivalry heads to South Beach for a Sunday night showdown on opening week. Miami narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last season but the Canes are projected to win or finish second behind Clemson in the ACC and a win over last year's national runner-up would be a major statement.

Both teams will be sporting new quarterbacks after the departures of Cam Ward (Miami) and Riley Leonard (Notre Dame). The Irish will most likely have touted redshirt freshman CJ Carr under center, while Georgia transfer Carson Beck will lead Miami.

4. Michigan at Oklahoma | Sept. 6

Two national powerhouses that fell short of expectations last season collide in Week 2. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables (third season) and Michigan head man Sherrone Moore (second season) are both trying to find their footing. A win over a fellow marquee program early in the season could be a catalyst for either program to make a run at the CFP. The loser of this one is going to have a tough time working its way into the playoff picture.

5. Texas A&M at Notre Dame | Sept. 13

Notre Dame won a dogfight over the Aggies last season, 23-13. This one may have extra meaning for the Irish depending on how its Week 1 game at Miami goes. A loss there will make this one extremely important for Notre Dame's CFP hopes. A&M will lean on Marcel Reed at quarterback. 

Zach Wadley

Zach Wadley's sportswriting career began at the age of 12 when he started covering Little League games for his local newspaper. Since then, he's worked in the sports information field where he merged his love of writing, social media, and broadcasting. He is a graduate of Anderson University (IN).

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