Exciting Matchups Highlight Week 1 of 2026 College Football Season

The 2026 college football season kicks off soon, showcasing several exciting matchups. Among the highlights is UCLA's new head coach Bob Chesney, who previously led JMU to a successful season, now overseeing a team with quarterback Nico Iamaleava under a revamped offensive scheme.

California also introduces a new head coach, Tosh Lupoi, as they face challenges with a depleted defense. The only ranked matchup of the week is set to draw significant attention.

In Oxford, head coach Pete Golding aims to build on last season's playoff run with returning stars Kewan Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's C.J. Carr looks to maintain his strong performance despite the loss of key players, while Wisconsin's Luke Fickell faces pressure to improve after a lackluster record.

LSU, now under Lane Kiffin, is expected to be a formidable team with quarterback Sam Leavitt, who aims to bounce back from injury. Clemson's Dabo Swinney will also seek to turn around the team's fortunes after a disappointing previous season.