Thirty school soccer video games you might want to watch in 2026, from Kiffin’s return to Miami-ND

College soccer kicks off in lower than every week. We lastly made it.

And as a result of we love rating issues in tiers right here at The Athletic — quarterbacks, coaches, program ambitions — we’ve collected 30 of probably the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 marketing campaign and slotted them into the suitable classes. From potential championship previews to West Coast MACtion, these are the very best and most attention-grabbing video games of the season.

Plan your weekends accordingly.

Tier 1: The Headliners

Ohio State at Texas, Sept. 12: The second leg of final 12 months’s season opener, which the Buckeyes gained in a defensive slugfest. Heisman candidates galore, headlined by Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning and Buckeyes wideout Jeremiah Smith. Plus a redemption alternative for Manning after a tough begin to 2025, and an opportunity to set the tempo amongst title contenders.

LSU at Ole Miss, Sept. 19: It’s probably the most anticipated sport of the season. Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford, Miss., to face his previous crew — you understand, the one he left within the midst of a Playoff run — and an indignant mob of Rebels followers. It’ll be Kiffin overload by kickoff, which ought to solely gasoline the animosity.

Oregon at Ohio State, Nov. 7: Preseason No. 2 vs. No. 1 in a matchup that ought to impression the Big Ten and nationwide championship races. This is the primary assembly between the 2 for the reason that Buckeyes toppled the top-ranked and undefeated Ducks within the 2024 Playoff on their technique to successful the title.

Georgia at Ole Miss, Nov. 7: This matchup delivered a pair of instantaneous classics final season. The Dawgs rallied to a dramatic comeback win final October, adopted by Trinidad Chambliss and Pete Golding main a New Year’s Day upset to ship Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Miami at Notre Dame, Nov. 7: A rematch of arguably probably the most consequential regular-season end result from 2025. Miami’s season-opening, last-minute residence win over the Fighting Irish finally tipped the scales to place the Hurricanes within the CFP over Notre Dame. Also, be sure you clear the calendar for Nov. 7. It’s a fully loaded Saturday.

Tier 2: Appointment viewing

Oregon at USC, Sept. 26: An opportunity for Lincoln Riley and USC to indicate how they stack up in opposition to the top-tier Ducks, and the primary true check on a difficult schedule for a USC squad with excessive expectations.

Texas vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 10 (in Dallas): Last season featured a much-needed Texas win in opposition to an Oklahoma crew with a restricted John Mateer at quarterback. Let’s hope we get each Mateer and Manning at full tilt this 12 months.

Georgia at Alabama, Oct. 10: The final time these two met in Tuscaloosa was in 2024, when the Tide gained 41-34 on Ryan Coleman-Williams 75-yard, twirling landing catch-and-run. We’ll take one other serving to of that, thanks.

Notre Dame at BYU, Oct. 17: No Notre Dame-USC this season for the primary time since World War II (and the pandemic season), however the Irish head to Provo as a substitute for what needs to be a enjoyable environment between Playoff contenders — and an opportunity for the Big 12 to financial institution some CFP cred.

Ohio State at Indiana, Oct. 17: A rematch of final season’s Big Ten championship sport, when Indiana defeated Ohio State for the primary time since 1988 on its technique to a 16-0 nationwide title run. It was the sport that formally stamped out any lingering doubts in regards to the Hoosiers, who ought to have the stadium pulsing at full quantity as they give the impression of being to repeat in entrance of the house crowd.

Texas at LSU, Nov. 14: Whether you like it or hate watching, these two groups are most important characters of the 2026 season, and each anticipate to be within the SEC and Playoff hunts regardless of a pair of punishing schedules.

Indiana’s win over Ohio State within the Big Ten title sport was a milestone throughout the Hoosiers’ historic season. (Grace Smith / Imagn Images through Reuters Connect)

Tier 3: Heated rivalries

Florida vs. Georgia, Oct. 31 (in Atlanta): New Florida coach Jon Sumrall will get his first sip of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, which strikes away from Jacksonville for the primary time since 1995 due to renovations and heads for the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Alabama at LSU, Nov. 7: The First Saturday in November welcomes again Kiffin, a former Alabama assistant below Nick Saban. The Tide have gained 13 of the previous 15.

BYU at Utah, Nov. 7: The Holy War is among the most underrated and intense rivalries in school soccer. Utah first-year head coach Morgan Scalley will attempt to snap the Cougars’ three-game successful streak.

Texas at Texas A&M, Nov. 27: The Longhorns’ upset win in Austin final season over the No. 3 Aggies nonetheless lingers, spoiling A&M’s undefeated common season and knocking it out of the SEC title race whereas salvaging a disappointing 12 months for Texas. The Aggies might be out for revenge in College Station.

Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 28: The Game is greater than three months away and already sparking offseason storylines, together with Ohio State shifting senior day ceremonies to Week 1 to keep away from rivalry distractions.

Washington at Oregon, Nov. 28: Washington coach Jedd Fisch is looking for his first win over the Ducks since taking on the Huskies, in a regular-season finale that would impression the Big Ten title and Playoff races.

Tier 4: These might be enjoyable

TCU vs. North Carolina, Aug. 29 (in Dublin, Ireland): A Week Zero Irish kickoff that includes Bill Belichick and the dysfunctional Tar Heels in opposition to a doable Big 12 contender in TCU. Should be good craic.

Clemson at LSU, Sept. 5: Kiffin vs. Dabo Swinney to open the season. And two groups hoping issues go significantly better than final 12 months.

Louisville vs. Ole Miss, Sept. 6 (in Nashville): Should be loads of offense between these CFP hopefuls.

Memphis at Boise State, Sept. 12: The Tigers have a brand new head coach in Charles Huff and the Broncos have joined the new-look Pac-12. Both ought to contend for the Group of 6 Playoff spot.

Robert Morris at Akron, Sept. 12: An Akron season ticket holder will get to assist script the opening offensive drive for the Zips. Bless you, school soccer.

Arizona State at Texas A&M, Sept. 12: A enjoyable nonconference matchup and one other high-profile alternative for the Big 12 to show why it deserves a number of Playoff bids.

Houston at Texas Tech, Sept. 18: No Brendan Sorsby, however a Friday night time showdown that made offseason headlines and needs to be considered one of Tech’s hardest exams.

North Dakota State at Sacramento State, Sept. 19: That could be NDSU out of the Mountain West and Sac State out of the MAC, the 2 new groups that convey the FBS depend to 138. What a time.

Miami at Clemson, Oct. 3: The Tigers go to LSU and Cal after which host the Hurricanes of their first 5 video games of the season. If Clemson goes to bounce again in 2026, it would have to take action shortly.

Alabama at Tennessee, Oct. 17: The Vols have overwhelmed Alabama solely twice up to now 19 conferences, however these wins had been the 2 most up-to-date video games at Neyland Stadium, together with a dramatic 52-49 victory in 2022.

Indiana at Michigan, Oct. 24: The Wolverines had been spared from IU’s barnstorming in 2025, however these Hoosiers should go to Ann Arbor every week after internet hosting Ohio State, whereas Michigan is coming off a bye.

Ohio State at USC, Oct. 31: The Buckeyes hit the West Coast a few weeks after taking part in at Indiana and one week earlier than internet hosting Oregon.

SMU at Notre Dame, Nov. 21: This might be the final practical probability to journey up the Irish if the season goes as many anticipate, and it’s simply the hardest sport on SMU’s schedule.