College football is back — and it’s wasting no time delivering fireworks. Between heavyweight title contenders, blue-blood rivalries, and intriguing international showcases, Week 0 and Week 1 might just serve up one of the most exciting starts to a season in recent memory. Here are the top five matchups you won’t want to miss, plus a few more that deserve your attention.
1. Texas at Ohio State
Rankings: No. 1 vs No. 3
Why It Matters: The defending national champions meet the preseason favorite to win it all. This is the biggest nonconference season opener in college football history.
For Ohio State, the offseason brought big changes — they lost quarterback Will Howard and both of their explosive running backs. All eyes will be on how Ryan Day’s offense adjusts, and whether their retooled attack can keep pace with a juggernaut like Texas.
On the other side, the spotlight has never burned brighter. Arch Manning, one of the most hyped quarterback recruits in decades, finally takes the reins as the unquestioned leader of the Longhorns. The football world has been waiting for this moment, and against Ohio State’s intimidating defense, he’ll get no warm-up period. Sparks will fly in Columbus — expect playoff-level intensity in Week 1.
2. LSU at Clemson
Why It Matters: A primetime battle under the lights between two top-10 teams with Heisman-caliber quarterbacks.
Death Valley meets Death Valley in a game dripping with atmosphere. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier are both entering their senior seasons with high expectations — and both have the talent to take home the Heisman Trophy. The winner here will earn not only bragging rights but a critical boost in the playoff race. For two programs with national title ambitions, this early-season clash could set the tone for the entire year.
3. Notre Dame at Miami
Why It Matters: Last year’s national runner-up faces one of college football’s most storied programs.
Notre Dame returns to action with questions swirling: can they rebound from falling just short of a title? Their test comes against a resurgent Miami squad now led by Carson Beck, the high-profile senior transfer quarterback who is coming off elbow surgery. This will be Beck’s first real chance to show he can lead a new team and thrive under pressure. The Hurricanes will have home-field advantage, but the Irish are battle-tested — expect a tense, physical contest.
4. Iowa State vs Kansas State (Dublin, Ireland)
Why It Matters: A unique overseas showdown between two ranked Big 12 contenders.
Kansas State looked like a playoff dark horse last season before a late collapse against Houston derailed everything. Now, junior quarterback Avery Johnson returns to Manhattan with unfinished business. Iowa State counters with rising star Rocco Becht and a punishing two-headed rushing attack featuring Carson Hansen and Abu Sama. Dublin will get more than just a taste of college football — this game could have major implications for the Big 12 race right out of the gate.
5. Alabama at Florida State
Why It Matters: A game that should be a heavyweight clash — but comes with layers of intrigue and redemption.
If you’d fallen asleep two years ago and woken up today, you’d think this was the game of the year. But Florida State’s fortunes have plummeted since losing Jordan Travis, culminating in a 2–10 season in 2024. Alabama, in Year 2 under Kalen DeBoer, started last season 4–0 and looked unstoppable before a late-season collapse left them 5–4 in their final nine games.
FSU transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos has already stirred the pot, boldly declaring, “They don’t have Alabama to save them — I just don’t see them stopping me.” Whether that confidence fuels the Seminoles or fires up the Crimson Tide’s defense remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Mike Norvell needs to spark his program back into contention — and an upset here would be the perfect start.
Best of the Rest
TCU at North Carolina – An early-season measuring stick for two programs looking to rebound and re-establish themselves nationally.
Georgia Tech at Colorado – Coach Prime faces a tough test at home against the Yellow Jackets in Boulder.