5 college football games to keep your eye on in Week 1

College football is officially back, and after a handful of games took place last Saturday during Week 0, the rest of the country gets back on the field from Thursday to Monday during Week 1. It's the first full college football weekend of the season, and the long offseason is finally over.

Here at Sooners Wire, we'll certainly have our eyes all over the season-opening game for the Oklahoma Sooners , which will take place in Norman on Friday at 7 p.m. against the UTEP Miners. However, with a full slate of games for the first time since late November, there will be plenty of intriguing matchups to keep an eye on during Labor Day weekend.

Here are the top five games to watch in Week 1.

1. Louisville vs. Ole Miss , Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CT

Louisville and Ole Miss will face off at a neutral site at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee for the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff. The Cardinals are viewed as a dark horse team in the ACC heading into this season, and they'll have a big stage to make an early statement in non-league action. Head coach Jeff Brohm and quarterback Lincoln Kienholz will look to get off to a fast start in 2026.

On the other sideline, star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads the Rebels after a run in the College Football Playoff last year. It's Pete Golding's first full season as head coach, and his team has very high expectations this fall. The whole country will be watching, and the Rebs need to avoid the early setback.

2. Clemson at LSU, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT

For the second straight year, it's a battle of Tigers to open up the season, as Clemson and LSU will square off in Baton Rouge. Neither program met expectations last year, so this game is pivotal for both teams. A fast start is a must for both head coaches.

At Clemson, it's back to an underdog role for Dabo Swinney's squad, as he's named Christopher Vizzina as his new starting quarterback. In an unpredictable ACC, the Tigers are looking to prove they still run the league. For LSU, the Lane Kiffin show gets its start on Saturday night, as perhaps no figure in the sport makes as much noise as the Tigers' new coach. Transfer QB Sam Leavitt will be on a mission to help LSU start strong and claim which Death Valley reigns supreme in 2026.

3. Boise State at Oregon, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT

Boise State and Oregon played an early-season thriller two years ago, and the rematch in Eugene might also be closer than most expect. The Broncos, led by veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen and superb head coach Spencer Danielson, are one of the favorites from the Group of Six to reach the CFP. They could turn the season on its head in Week 1 if they can pull off the upset.

The Ducks are one of the favorites to win the national title this year, as they are immensely talented and deep at every position. Head coach Dan Lanning gets star quarterback Dante Moore back this season, and the expectations are very high nationally for this team. They get a tough test very early in the season.

4. Baylor vs. Auburn , Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT

Baylor and Auburn will square off at a neutral site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Aflac Kickoff. The Bears were defeated at home in this matchup to open the 2025 season, and they'll be hoping to return the favor to start a new season. Head coach Dave Aranda went out and got transfer QB DJ Lagway this offseason, and if he can recapture the magic he had in 2024 as a true freshman, Baylor will be in good shape.

It's a new era for the Tigers, as Alex Golesh takes over as the new head coach. In a loaded SEC, Auburn has a chance to make a statement or fall behind its peers very early on in Week 1. Luckily, transfer signal-caller Byrum Brown knows the offense very well and brings a lot of veteran production to the program.

5. UCLA at Cal, Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT

UCLA and Cal have a lot in common as they enter the 2026 season. For the Bruins, new head coach Bob Chesney takes the reins, and he's ignited some excitement within the program for the first time in years. His quarterback returns, as Nico Iamaleava enters his second season in Los Angeles. In a top-heavy Big Ten, the Bruins will try and make some noise this season.

Similarly, the Golden Bears are also breaking in a new head coach, Tosh Lupoi. He has also helped bring excitement to the program, which hasn't had much in recent years. Cal also returns a big-name QB, with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele staying in Berkley after a strong first season under center. This late-night game could determine a lot about the program's standing in the ACC this year.

Week 0 - Featured Game: North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)

Photos from Oklahoma Sooners 2026 Spring Game

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