8 Should-Watch Non-Convention College Football Games in 2026

Non-conference video games are sometimes a part of the schedule you fast-forward by way of.

With a lot at stake in each contest, a single September loss can knock a contender out of the playoff subject earlier than Thanksgiving. Just ask final 12 months’s Notre Dame crew that misplaced early to Miami and will by no means fairly get well.

The 2026 schedule is loaded with video games that carry that type of weight. Here are eight non-conference matchups, initially highlighted by CBS Sports, and some extra which might be value clearing your calendar for this fall.

Clemson at LSU

Two packages that each went 7-6 in 2025 meet Sept. 5 at Tiger Stadium with College GameDay on web site. The distinction is within the trajectory. Kiffin arrives in Baton Rouge with portal quarterback Sam Leavitt and a program pointed upward. Swinney opens with first-time starter Christopher Vizzina and a fanbase that has misplaced persistence. LSU leads the all-time collection 4-1, and that is Clemson’s first journey to Baton Rouge.

Baylor vs. Auburn in Atlanta

Both packages went 5-7 in 2025. New Auburn head coach Alex Golesh debuts with USF switch Byrum Brown at quarterback, whereas Dave Aranda counters with former five-star DJ Lagway, who transferred from Florida after two inconsistent seasons. Auburn opened as a one-score favourite at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 5, which tells you the place every program is headed.

Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field

Luke Fickell is 17-21 at Wisconsin and enters Year 4 on a heat seat. Notre Dame, a close to 20-point favourite, brings Heisman hopeful CJ Carr to one of the crucial iconic venues in American sports activities on Sept. 6. The Badgers herald switch quarterback Colton Joseph and 33 portal additions. Wisconsin desperately wants a signature win.

Ohio State at Texas

The third straight meeting between these programs takes place in Austin on Sept. 12 with national title implications already attached. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin completed nearly 80 percent of his passes in 2025, and the nation’s No. 1 WR, Jeremiah Smith, is sure to be a huge factor. Arch Manning enters his second full year as Texas’s starter, looking for payback at home after the Longhorns lost both previous matchups. Jeremiah Smith returns for the Buckeyes.

Oklahoma at Michigan

Oklahoma held Bryce Underwood to 9-of-24 passing in a 24-13 win in Norman last season. Now the home-and-home flips to Ann Arbor on Sept. 12. New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham named Underwood his starter before spring practice even began. John Mateer returns for the Sooners and should be considered a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman.

Florida State at Alabama

FSU stunned No. 8 Alabama 31-17 in Tallahassee last year. Now the home-and-home wraps in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 19. Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels takes over at quarterback for Mike Norvell, who is 7-18 since the Seminoles’ 13-0 ACC title season in 2023. Alabama counters with an unsettled quarterback battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack.

Notre Dame at BYU

Notre Dame and BYU were the two highest-ranked teams left out of the 2025 CFP, finishing No. 10 and No. 11. Both know what is at stake on Oct. 17 in Provo. Bear Bachmeier threw for 3,033 yards and ran for 11 touchdowns as a true freshman. “We didn’t really get a lot of respect last year,” Bachmeier said. “I’m glad they’re on the schedule.”

Miami at Notre Dame

Miami beat Notre Dame 27-24 in the 2025 opener and went on to reach the national championship game. The Irish won their next 10 games and want revenge. CJ Carr faces transfer quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns at Duke in 2025. Miami has not won in South Bend since 1984.

Also worth watching

Louisville vs. Ole Miss in Nashville: Trinidad Chambliss returns after winning a legal battle for a sixth year of eligibility, leading a 13-2 Ole Miss team into the inaugural Music City Kickoff on Sept. 6. Louisville counters with Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz.

TCU vs. North Carolina in Dublin: Bill Belichick makes his college head coaching debut at Aviva Stadium on Aug. 29 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Neither program has ever played overseas.

Tennessee at Georgia Tech: The Vols make their first trip to Bobby Dodd Stadium since 1986 on Sept. 12. Both programs enter with new quarterbacks in an SEC-ACC clash in Atlanta.

Boise State at Oregon: Dante Moore passed on the NFL Draft and returns as a Heisman contender for a Ducks team that has reached the CFP in back-to-back seasons. The Broncos are 3-1 all-time in the series and have a history of ruining Oregon’s plans.