After a light Week 0 slate of eight FBS games last weekend, the 2026 college football season truly takes off across the country this weekend. We break down the top performances from Thursday and Friday, the biggest matchups for the weekend and make predictions.
Lane Kiffin’s commitment to becoming college football’s biggest villain is captivating, confounding and a dozen other adjectives.
It figured he couldn’t top his last act, leaving Ole Miss — or, rather, being thrown out of town after taking the LSU job — in the midst of the program’s greatest season in six decades and before the start of the College Football Playoff.
And yet, here we are!
Kiffin has been in an escalating standoff with the SEC over his desire to roster players who were in NFL training camps a few weeks ago, with the conference going as far as to file a lawsuit in federal court for an injunction prohibiting former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris from playing for their former coach after being waived by the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively, as undrafted free agents.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Kiffin and LSU were expected to back down and not include the players on the roster for their season-opener Saturday night vs. Clemson. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try again later …
Before even coaching a game for LSU, Kiffin has managed to not only unify the rest of college football against him but also his own conference! This is next-level work by the sport’s most controversial coach.
In breaking down the highly-anticipated LSU-Clemson clash on his “See Ball Get Ball” podcast this week, David Pollack was asked by his co-host Brent Rollins when was the last time most of college football was rooting for Dabo Swinney?
“Alabama [in Clemson’s first national championship game],” Pollack said, laughing. “… I think there’s a couple of cool villains in college football this year, but there’s none bigger than Lane Kiffin. There’s none bigger. There’s no one that’s going to be cheered against [more]. He already had that title, and then you throw in trying to have NFL players come back and lobbying for it — it’s not even close.”
Indeed.
But as much as Kiffin continues to try to monopolize the spotlight, there’s too many other intriguing storylines around college football in Week 1.
Let’s start with a rewind on the biggest headlines from the Thursday-Friday games and then get to best matchups for the rest of the weekend with predictions.
Heisman Trophy Watch
This week has already featured three superlative performances by potential Heisman Trophy candidates asserting their deserved candidacy early on this season.
USC QB Jayden Maiava: Jayden Maiava announced his Heisman candidacy immediately and emphatically in Week 0 by completing 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs with a rushing TD in a lopsided win over San Jose State. He followed up Friday night with an even better performance, completing 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in a 39-0 win over Fresno State. He didn’t play the fourth quarter in either game. (Maiava did land hard on his throwing shoulder on his final series of the game Friday, which will be worth monitoring.)
Miami QB Darian Mensah: The Duke transfer was downright dazzling in his Miami debut, completing 27 of 30 passes for 401 yards, 5 TDs and 0 TDs on the road in a 45-6 win at Stanford. We had Darian Mensah as a top 2 Heisman candidate in our very first projections back in the offseason, and that opinion isn’t changing. He’s an upgrade from Carson Beck and playing in an even better Miami offense than the 2025 version — as was on full display Friday night.
Miami WR Malachi Toney: The one thing that could hurt Mensah’s own Heisman candidacy is that of his teammate and top target, if he and Malachi Toney end up splitting voters. But that’s a storyline for much later in the season. The true sophomore playmaker was already one of college football’s most exciting talents last season, and he started 2026 with the best game of his young career, catching 12 passes for 234 yards and 3 TDs. Toney had already set a career-high for receiving yards by the end of the first half with 182.
More Notable Headlines From Thursday-Friday
Deion Sanders’ Buffs stun Georgia Tech: A 3-9 finish last year and the never-ending turnstile of coordinators in his now fourth season at Colorado has renewed doubts that Deion Sanders is the right fit for the program. But the Buffs started 2026 with a dramatic 14-13 upset win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta when Boo Carter blocked the Yellow Jackets’ attempt at a game-winning 45-yard field goal in the final seconds. Quarterback Julian Lewis had put the Buffaloes ahead on a 20-yard touchdown to tight end Charlie Williams with 42 seconds remaining.
USC has a defense: The predominant question that has followed Lincoln Riley throughout his career has been whether he’d ever have a defense good enough to put his perennially high-scoring teams over the hump. Well, it’s still way too early to make any firm evaluations after just two games against Group of 6 opponents, but it’s hard not to notice a difference nonetheless. With longtime legendary TCU head coach Gary Patterson now aboard as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, the unit looked the best it has in Riley’s now five seasons at USC. The Trojans allowed just 116 yards (only 49 through three quarters) in a 39-0 shutout win over Fresno State on Friday night, notching a pair of safeties in the process as the defensive front just overwhelmed the Bulldogs. In Week 0, USC beat San Jose State, 42-26, but the Trojans allowed only 3 points through the first three quarters before the younger backups took over.
Pat Fitzgerald wins his Michigan State debut: The longtime former Northwestern coach was officially back on the sideline for the first time since 2022, leading the Spartans to a 30-20 win over Toledo. One of the more notable hirings of the offseason, after a protracted legal battle to clear his name of wrongdoing in a hazing scandal that brought down his Northwestern tenure after 17 seasons, Pat Fitzgerald got strong performances from QB Alessio Milivojevic (247 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs), RB Cam Edwards (27 carries for 98 yards, 1 TD) and WR Rodney Bullard Jr. (7 catches for 90 yards, 1 TD).
6 Must-See Games This Weekend
(All game times ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
*Listed chronologically
Baylor vs. Auburn in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
Point spread: Auburn -7.5
Alex Golesh makes his Auburn debut. He brought 13 of his former USF players with him to the Tigers, including dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown (3,158 passing yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs, 1,008 rushing yards and 14 TDs) and three of his top receivers in Keshaun Singleton (50 catches for 877 yards and 8 TDs), Jeremiah Koger (38-597-8) and Chas Nimrod (23-466-3). Auburn returns starting running back Jeremiah Cobb (969 rushing yards and 5 TDs), adds Baylor transfer Bryson Washington (788-6) now going against his former team and another USF transfer in Nykahi Davenport (612-7).
Will that be enough to revive Auburn in Golesh’s first season as he takes over a program that went 5-7 (1-7 SEC) last year?
On the other side, coach Dave Aranda is very much on the hot seat entering his seventh season at Baylor with a 36-37 record.
Former five-star QB prospect DJ Lagway takes over at Baylor after a rough ending to his time at Florida, passing for 2,264 yards, 16 TDs and 14 INTs as a sophomore.
Prediction: Auburn 27, Baylor 23
Clemson at No. 11 LSU, 7:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
Point spread: LSU -10
There is plenty more to LSU’s anticipated season opener than the drama and sideshow Lane Kiffin has created.
He brought in more than 40 transfers to remake the Tigers’ roster on the fly, including former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt led the Sun Devils into the College Football Playoff in 2024 when he passed for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while rushing for 306 yards and 5 scores. He missed half of last season due to a foot injury and now takes the reins of an offense with sky-high expectations given Kiffin’s track record.
The Tigers also loaded up in the transfer portal at wide receiver and it will be interesting to see who emerges from a group that includes Jayce Brown (41 catches for 712 yards and 5 TDs at Kansas State in 2025), Jackson Harris (49-963-12 at Hawaii), Winston Watkins Jr. (26-373-1 for Kiffin at Ole Miss), Eugene Wilson III (27-239-3 at Florida) and Tre’ Brown (38-762-4 at Old Dominion) among others. Meanwhile, tight end Trey’Dez Green (33-433-7) is expected to be among the best at his position in the country.
At running back, Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones (300 rushing yards, 2 TDs in 2025) joins returning sophomore Harlem Berry (491-2) and junior Caden Durham (505-3).
On the other side, Clemson enters its 19th season under coach Dabo Swinney, but the 7-6 finish last year was the program’s worst since 2010.
The response to that disappointing finish was to fire high-profile offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and bring back former OC Chad Morris, who led Clemson’s offense from 2011-14 before head coaching stints at SMU and Arkansas. Morris was most recently Texas State’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.
At quarterback redshirt-junior Christopher Vizzina gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for the last few years. He got one start last season vs. SMU, completing 29 of 42 passes for 317 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs.
Returning wide receivers T.J. Moore (52-837-4 last year) and Bryant Wesco Jr. (31-537-6) form one of the ACC’s top tandems, while sophomore Gideon Davidson takes over at running back after rushing for 260 yards in a reserve role as a freshman.
Prediction: LSU 37, Clemson 27
UCLA at Cal, 10:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
Point spread: UCLA -1.5
Pac-12 traditionalists will appreciate this matchup, which is of course now a Big Ten vs. ACC showdown (no, it still doesn’t make sense).
There renewed optimism for both programs as they debut new head coaches.
For UCLA, Bob Chesney takes over after leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff last year. He’ll look to get the most out of redshirt-junior QB Nico Iamaleava, who underwhelmed in his first season with the Bruins (as a transfer from Tennessee), throwing for 1,928 yards, 13 TDs and 7 INTs while rushing for 505 yards and 4 TDs.
Among the JMU transfers Chesney brought with him to UCLA are his leading rusher Wayne Knight (1,373 rushing yards, 397 receiving yards and 10 total TDs) and leading receiver Landon Ellis (36-624-5).
Cal, meanwhile, turns the page and starts anew with former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi (a Cal alum) bringing a fresh energy to the program.
The Golden Bears have one of the better returning QBs in the country in sophomore Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3,454 passing yards, 18 TDs and 9 INTs).
Washington transfer Adam Mohammed (523 rushing yards and 5 TDs) takes over as Cal’s RB1 while wide receiver Ian Strong (52-762-5) was a big transfer pickup from Rutgers.
Prediction: Cal 31, UCLA 28
Wisconsin at No. 4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC
Point spread: Notre Dame -20.5
Notre Dame begins its revenge tour after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff field last year, and QB C.J. Carr opens the season as a top Heisman candidate after passing for 2,741 yards, 24 TDs and 6 INTs as a redshirt freshman.
The Fighting Irish lose a lot of their offensive identity, though, with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price off to the NFL as first-round draft picks. Junior Aneyas Williams (443 rushing yards and 7 TDs over the last two seasons) gets his chance to step into the spotlight now.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is on one of the hottest seats in the country this season after a 17-21 start to this tenure. The Bagers debut new starting QB Colton Joseph, who was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year at Old Dominion last season when he passed for 2,624, 21 TDs and 10 INTs and rushed for 1,007 yards and 13 TDs.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Wisconsin 14
No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss in Nashville, 7:30 p.m. Sunday on ABC
Point spread: Ole Miss -6.5
Pete Golding started his Ole Miss head coaching tenure with two College Football Playoff wins and then a competitive loss to Miami in the semifinals, taking over for Kiffin at the start of the playoffs. Now, he enters his first full season at the helm with immense expectations.
The Rebels return star QB Trinidad Chambliss, who was one of the best players and stories in college football last season while passing for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and rushing for 527 yards and 8 TDs last season in his FBS debut as a transfer from DII Ferris State.
It took a series of appeals in various courts to get his eligibility restored for this season, but Chambliss is back to lead an offense that also returns star RB Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns last season (with 177 receiving yards).
The receiving corps is mostly new, meanwhile, as Ole Miss loses five of its top six receivers from 2025, with holdover Deuce Alexander (44 catches for 684 yards and 2 TDs) now joined atop the depth chart by Syracuse transfers Darrell Gill Jr. (32-506-5) and Johntay Cook II (45-549-2).
Obviously, that offense will have new direction from the sideline as well with Kiffin and former OC Charlie Weis Jr. now at LSU. John David Baker, the offensive coordinator at East Carolina for the last two years after previously being on staff at Ole Miss, returns to the Rebels to take over as OC.
Louisville and coach Jeff Brohm have a knack for big upsets.
It was just last season they stunned No. 2 Miami, adding to an impressive resume of big wins for Brohm both at Louisville and previously at Purdue.
For the fourth time in his four seasons with the Cardinals, Brohm has a new starting quarterback as Lincoln Kienholz gets his shot to start after three years on the bench at Ohio State.
The Cardinals are led by their backfield tandem of Isaac Brown (884 yards and 7 TDs on 8.8 yards per carry last season) and Keyjuan Brown (704 yards and 6 TDs on 7.3 YPC), no relation.
Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Louisville 28
No. 19 SMU at Florida State, 7:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN
Point spread: SMU -3
The Labor Day weekend finale puts the spotlight on the ACC.
Florida State won its Week 0 debut 34-17 over New Mexico State, but that closer-than-comfort outcome provided no relief to coach Mike Norvell’s hot seat status.
New starting QB Ashton Daniels, formerly of Auburn and Stanford, passed for 202 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in his Seminoles debut, while Ousmane Kromah had a breakout game with 115 rushing yards and a TD on 14 carries. Daniels will try to get star receiver Duce Robinson going after a quiet first game (3 catches for 50 yards).
Rhett Lashlee’s SMU teams have won 31 games over the last three seasons and the Mustangs should be formidable again with veteran QB Kevin Jennings back for his final year after passing for 3,641 yards, 26 TDs and 13 INTs last season.
Cal transfer Kendrick Raphael (943 rushing yards and 13 TDs) takes over in the backfield, while Yamir Knight (54-637-5) returns at receiver.
Prediction: SMU 31, Florida State 24
More Top-25 Matchups
North Texas at No. 6 Indiana, 12 p.m. Saturday on FOX: The reigning national champions are 40.5-point favorites as they debut a new look offense led by QB transfer Josh Hoover (from TCU), RB transfer Turbo Richard (Boston College) and top WR transfer Nick Marsh (Michigan State) among others.
East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama, 12 p.m. Saturday on ABC: Redshirt freshman Keelon Russell makes his debut as Alabama’s starting quarterback with the Crimson Tide set as 28.5-point favorites.
Oregon State at No. 23 Houston, 12 p.m. Saturday on ESPN: After a 10-3 breakout in coach Willie Fritz‘s second season, Houston has heightened expectations led by returning QB Conner Weigman. The Cougars are 21-point favorites.
Ball State at No. 1 Ohio State, 12:30 p.m. Saturday on Big Ten Network: Returning Heisman finalist Julian Sayin is back at quarterback, loaded with weapons including star WR Jeremiah Smith, five-star freshman WR Chris Henry Jr. and returning top RB Bo Jackson, among others. The Buckeyes are 50.5-point favorites.
Tennessee State at No. 3 Georgia, 3 p.m. Saturday on SEC Network: Gunner Stockton returns at QB for Georgia, which gets a soft opener as 46.5-point favorites.
Boise State at No. 2 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS: Fresh off a run to the CFP semifinals, Oregon is on a national championship-or-bust mission with star QB Dante Moore back for one more season. The Ducks are 24.5-point favorites over Boise State and veteran returning QB Maddux Madsen.
Texas State at No. 5 Texas, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN: Will Arch Manning build on his strong finish to last season and live up to Heisman-caliber expectations in 2026? He has a loaded roster around him, including RB transfers Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and the top WR transfer this cycle in Cam Coleman (Auburn). Texas is a 29.5-point favorite.
Marshall at No. 18 Penn State, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on FS1: The Matt Campbell Era at Penn State starts Saturday, as the former Iowa State coach looks to reinvigorate the Nittany Lions after a frustrating 2025 season. Campbell brings with him quarterback Rocco Becht and running back Carson Hansen, among others, from his old Cyclones team. Penn State is a 23.5-point favorite.
Furman at No. 20 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on SEC Network: Highly touted true freshman Faizon Brandon won Tennessee’s starting quarterback battle and makes his much-anticipated college debut Saturday. The Vols are 47.5-point favorites.
Northern Illinois at No. 22 Iowa, 4:15 p.m. Saturday on Big Ten Network: The Hawkeyes had a protracted QB battle between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski for the starting job. Brown gets the initial nod, but both QBs are expected to play in the early going. Despite the uncertainty at the position, the Hawkeyes are 31.5-point favorites at home.
Missouri State at No. 8 Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN: Fresh off a College Football Playoff breakthrough, Mike Elko‘s Texas A&M team opens in the preseason top 10 with high expectations as Marcel Reed returns at QB. The Aggies are 40.5-point favorites in their opener.
Abilene Christian at No. 12 Texas Tech, 7 p.m. Saturday on FS1: The Red Raiders had a dramatic offseason, spending big in the transfer portal to sign former Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby, only for him to be ruled ineligible in the wake of a sports gambling controversy. Texas Tech instead turns to Will Hammond while again leaning on a strong rushing attack with Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams back after big 2025 seasons, along with Quinten Joyner after losing last season to a torn ACL. The Red Raiders are 42.5-point favorites.
Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan, 7:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC: Longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham makes his Wolverines debut. Michigan is 27.5-point favorites against reigning MAC champion Western Michigan.
Utah Tech at No. 14 BYU, 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+: The Cougars have won 23 games the last two seasons and managed to hang onto coach Kalani Sitake, despite strong interest from other schools. They are 51.5-point favorites in their opener.
Washington State at No. 17 Washington, 4 p.m. Sunday on NBC: The Apple Cup has a different feel these days as the Cougars and Huskies are no longer conference rivals but nonetheless still in-state rivals, moving their annual clash to the beginning of the season. Washington, led by dual-threat QB Demond Williams Jr., is a 23.5-point favorite over Washington State and new head coach Kirby Moore.
