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2026 Week 1 College Football Predictions for Every Game
Pack the fridge, stock the shelves and clear the couch, my friends, because Week 1 of the 2026 college football season is here.
The first full weekend of the campaign, as usual, is largely packed with buy games. Many preseason AP Top 25 teams are taking on a Group of Six or FCS opponent—which is a good and helpful thing for smaller programs.
But there are a few marquee matchups on the slate, too.
Saturday's slate includes Boise State at Oregon and Clemson at LSU, while Sunday features some neutral-site showdowns and Monday offers a notable ACC clash. There are important wins on the line in Week 1.
Rankings are based on the AP Top 25.
Top Matchups for Week 1
1 of 7
Boise State at No. 2 Oregon, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (all times are ET)
The result of this matchup—an expected Oregon win—is less notable than getting an early opinion on Boise State's ceiling. One of the most-respected Group of Six teams this season, the Broncos could grow their bandwagon with a competitive loss to a national championship threat in a tough environment.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Boise State 21
Clemson at No. 11 LSU, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Last season, LSU pulled out a relatively ugly 17-10 victory at Clemson. This year, there's a ton of excitement around LSU as new coach Lane Kiffin is set to unleash a transfer-heavy offense. The real difference-maker here, though, may actually be LSU's defense since Clemson's offense is breaking in a less-experienced group.
Prediction: LSU 27, Clemson 16
Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Notre Dame, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. (in Green Bay)
On paper, this shouldn't be a close game. Notre Dame is easily the more talented team. Wisconsin, however, is rightfully excited about the arrival of dual-threat QB Colton Joseph, who surpassed 2,500 passing and 1,000 rushing yards at Old Dominion last season. If the Badgers are stingy on defense as usual—aided by a raucous Lambeau Field crowd—ND could be legitimately tested.
Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Wisconsin 17
No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. (in Nashville)
Within their respective conferences, Louisville and Ole Miss are solidly second-tier contenders. Barring a rout, both programs will leave Nashville with their broader expectations intact. Still, this is a valuable résumé-building win. The safer pick is Ole Miss, led by Trinidad Chambliss and a potentially explosive offense. But with Jeff Brohm on the other sideline, Louisville is fully capable of pulling the upset.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Louisville 29
No. 19 SMU at Florida State, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Given how Alabama and FSU's seasons diverged after last year's Week 1 upset, I promise not to overreact. Simultaneously, this is a conference game. The impact on the ACC standings could be very evident later this season, and SMU cannot afford to give away anything early. While home-field advantage matters, I'll sit in the "see it to believe it" camp for FSU's new-look offense.
Prediction: SMU 26, Florida State 23
Thursday Games
2 of 7
Arkansas Pine-Bluff at No. 25 Missouri, 8 p.m. ET
Entering the 2025 campaign, Austin Simmons was a potential breakout star for Ole Miss. He had not played much but looked strong in limited action. Unfortunately for Simmons, an ankle injury sidelined him and allowed Chambliss to seize the spotlight. Now at Mizzou, Simmons should make a flashy debut as Missouri rolls to a comfortable win.
Prediction: Missouri 56, UAPB 7
Idaho at No. 21 Utah, 9 p.m. ET
The short version: This should also be a lopsided game. The main storylines, though, are the official debut of new Utah coach Morgan Scalley and a first look at his revamped offense around star dual-threat Devon Dampier.
Prediction: Utah 49, Idaho 10
Massachusetts at Rutgers, 6 p.m.
Prediction: Rutgers 38, UMass 14
Akron at Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Wake Forest 34, Akron 13
Bethune-Cookman at UCF, 7 p.m.
Prediction: UCF 48, Bethune-Cookman 10
Merrimack at Delaware, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Delaware 41, Merrimack 10
West Georgia at Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Kennesaw State 37, West Georgia 17
Albany at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 36, Albany 14
Colorado at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, Colorado 20
Eastern Illinois at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Minnesota 45, EIU 7
UAB at Illinois, 9 p.m.
Prediction: Illinois 40, UAB 14
Friday Games
3 of 7
No. 7 Miami at Stanford (1-0), 9 p.m. ET
Last season, Miami stumbled through a hideous first half before dominating the last 30 minutes of a 42-7 win over Stanford. So, that's at least reason to pause. But a stacked Miami team shouldn't have many issues in this early ACC tilt, especially after Stanford needed a late comeback to beat Hawaii.
Prediction: Miami 37, Stanford 16
Fresno State at No. 14 USC (1-0), 9 p.m.
Similar to Boise State in its trip to Oregon, Fresno State has an opportunity to earn a bit of national respect. USC isn't quite a high-end contender, but the Trojans could have a top offense behind QB Jayden Maiava. Even in a competitive loss, Fresno State can solidify itself as a Group of Six threat.
Prediction: USC 35, Fresno State 17
San Jose State (0-1) at Eastern Michigan (1-0), 6:30 p.m.
Prediction: EMU 31, SJSU 26
Indiana State at Purdue, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Purdue 45, Indiana State 14
North Carolina A&T at Georgia State, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia State 49, North Carolina A&T 17
UTEP at No. 10 Oklahoma, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Oklahoma 52, UTEP 7
Long Island at Kansas, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas 48, Long Island 10
Toledo at Michigan State, 8 p.m.
Prediction: MSU 30, Toledo 19
Saturday Early Games
4 of 7
East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama, Noon ET
When these programs last met in 1998, Alabama squeaked out a 23-22 victory. If that happened again, Kalen DeBoer might get fired in the locker room. In seriousness, the spotlight will be on new Crimson Tide QB Keelon Russell, a prized prospect from the 2025 cycle who is making his first career start.
Prediction: Alabama 44, ECU 14
Oregon State at No. 23 Houston, Noon
Most predictions have Texas Tech or BYU winning the Big 12. Houston is a not-so-sneaky contender, though, on the heels of a 10-3 campaign with QB Conner Weigman still leading the way. These opening two games are critical for Houston as a Week 3 showdown at Tech looms.
Prediction: Houston 35, Oregon State 17
North Texas at No. 6 Indiana, Noon
Prediction: Indiana 48, North Texas 14
New Hampshire at Syracuse, Noon
Prediction: Syracuse 45, New Hampshire 10
Ohio at Nebraska, Noon
Prediction: Nebraska 34, Ohio 13
Coastal Carolina at West Virginia, Noon
Prediction: WVU 39, Coastal Carolina 17
Bryant at Army, Noon
Prediction: Army 42, Bryant 10
Lafayette at Connecticut, Noon
Prediction: UConn 38, Lafayette 14
Tarleton State at Bowling Green, Noon
Prediction: Tarleton State 23, BGSU 20
Liberty at James Madison, Noon
Prediction: JMU 27, Liberty 23
Ball State at No. 1 Ohio State, 12:30 p.m.
Prediction: Ohio State 59, Ball State 3
Miami (Ohio) at Pitt, 12:30 p.m.
Prediction: Pitt 30, Miami U 17
Kent State at South Carolina, 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: South Carolina 41, Kent State 14
Youngstown State at Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Prediction: Kentucky 44, YSU 16
Southeast Missouri State at Iowa State, 1 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa State 36, SEMO 13
Duquesne at Air Force, 1 p.m.
Prediction: Air Force 41, Duquesne 14
Rhode Island at Temple, 2 p.m.
Prediction: Temple 28, Rhode Island 22
Saturday Afternoon Games
5 of 7
Texas State at No. 5 Texas, 3:30 p.m. ET
Although the Arch Manning Hype Train remains intact, the offseason rumbles weren't quite as loud. I'm sure the reactions to his Week 1 performance—good, bad or somewhere in between—will be nuanced and measured.
Prediction: Texas 48, Texas State 14
Marshall at No. 18 Penn State, 3:30 p.m.
In the debut for coach Matt Campbell, Penn State should pick up a comfortable win. The bigger question is whether the team's unusually favorable 2026 schedule can propel the Nittany Lions into the College Football Playoff. That journey starts with a home victory.
Prediction: Penn State 41, Marshall 10
Tennessee State at No. 3 Georgia, 3 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia 56, Tennessee State 3
Furman at No. 20 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Tennessee 52, Furman 7
Tulane at Duke, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Duke 26, Tulane 23
Boston College at Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cincinnati 31, BC 20
Baylor at Auburn, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Auburn 29, Baylor 24
Towson at Navy, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 45, Towson 10
The Citadel at Charlotte, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Charlotte 38, The Citadel 14
UT Rio Grande Valley at UTSA, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UTSA 48, UTRGV 21
Fordham at North Dakota State (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: NDSU 42, Fordham 7
Maine at Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: App State 34, Maine 17
Oklahoma State at Tulsa, 3:45 p.m.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 40, Tulsa 16
Northern Illinois at No. 22 Iowa, 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa 27, NIU 9
North Alabama at Arkansas, 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas 47, North Alabama 10
Alcorn State at Southern Miss, 5 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 38, Alcorn State 14
Wyoming at Colorado State, 6 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado State 27, Wyoming 21
Norfolk State at Old Dominion, 6 p.m.
Prediction: ODU 45, Norfolk State 10
Saturday Evening Games, Part I
6 of 7
Abilene Christian at No. 12 Texas Tech, 7 p.m. ET
The outcome should never be in jeopardy. Texas Tech is a massive favorite over Abilene Christian, an FCS school. However, the Red Raiders finally have a chance to hit the field and move past their (sometimes self-inflicted) offseason drama as Will Hammond takes control of the offense.
Prediction: Texas Tech 55, Abilene Christian 7
Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan, 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Big House will be roaring as former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham makes his Michigan debut. The progression of second-year QB Bryce Underwood, particularly as a passer, will be closely monitored early this season.
Prediction: Michigan 38, WMU 14
Missouri State at No. 8 Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Texas A&M 48, Missouri State 10
Nicholls at Kansas State, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas State 43, Nicholls 13
Austin Peay at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 37, Austin Peay 17
Arkansas State at Memphis (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 31, Arkansas State 24
Florida International at South Florida, 7 p.m.
Prediction: USF 34, FIU 16
Houston Christian at Rice, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Rice 30, Houston Christian 13
Murray State at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Prediction: MTSU 33, Murray State 17
Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Jax State 35, EKU 14
Charleston Southern at Georgia Southern, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 37, Charleston Southern 16
Southeastern Louisiana at South Alabama, 7 p.m.
Prediction: South Alabama 34, SE Louisiana 20
Sam Houston at Troy, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 38, Sam Houston 17
VMI at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 55, VMI 7
Louisiana-Monroe at Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Mississippi State 43, ULM 13
Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 48, Northwestern State 10
Saturday Evening Games, Part II (and Sunday)
7 of 7
Utah Tech at No. 14 BYU, 8 p.m. ET
The lone Top 25 team in action Saturday night, BYU is expected to cruise past lower-division Utah Tech. However, a very unproven receiving corps will be aiming for a hot start. The unit's performance will be a key factor in BYU's season.
Prediction: BYU 51, Utah Tech 7
Washington State at No. 17 Washington, Sunday, 4 p.m.
Demond Williams Jr. threw for 298 yards, rushed for 88 and totaled five touchdowns in UW's 59-24 obliteration of the Cougars last season. That's a high bar to match, but Williams should lead Washington to another Apple Cup victory.
Prediction: Washington 38, Washington State 20
Florida Atlantic at Florida, 7:45 p.m.
Prediction: Florida 38, FAU 16
Hampton at Maryland, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Maryland 48, Hampton 10
South Dakota State at Northwestern, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Northwestern 27, SDSU 13
Lamar at Louisiana, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana 34, Lamar 14
Mercyhurst at New Mexico State, 9 p.m.
Prediction: NMSU 42, Mercyhurst 10
Northern Arizona at Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona 48, NAU 7
Portland State at San Diego State, 9:30 p.m.
Prediction: SDSU 45, Portland State 13
Morgan State at Arizona State, 10 p.m.
Prediction: ASU 47, Morgan State 3
UNLV (0-1) at Hawaii (0-1), 10 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 33, Hawaii 24
Central Michigan at New Mexico, 10 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, CMU 17
Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State (0-1), 10 p.m.
Prediction: Sac State 45, MVSU 10
UCLA at Cal, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: UCLA 28, Cal 27
Western Kentucky at Nevada, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 30, Nevada 24
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