Early-Season Trap Games for College Football Championship Contenders in 2026

The 2026 college football season presents several early-season challenges for championship contenders, influenced by the expanded playoff format. Teams can recover from early losses, but Notre Dame stands out with a narrow margin for error as an independent team.

Notre Dame will face Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on September 6, entering as a 20-point favorite despite a recent record of 2-3 before mid-September. Oregon's opener against Boise State is noteworthy, but a subsequent game against Oklahoma State could be more perilous, especially after Oregon's previous dominant victory over the Cowboys.

Texas, having recently dominated UTSA, must remain focused after a significant nonconference game against Ohio State and before facing Tennessee. Georgia, known for strong starts, will play Arkansas while keeping an eye on an upcoming game against Oklahoma. Lastly, LSU's matchup against Louisiana Tech follows a high-profile game against Clemson, creating potential distractions for the Tigers.