Key 2026 College Football Non-Conference Games Impacting CFP Race
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a wild ride, especially with the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) format. Non-conference games? They’re more important than ever, with a single big win or a shocking loss swinging playoff hopes in unexpected directions.
Looking ahead, a handful of high-profile non-conference matchups are already set. These games could absolutely tilt the race to the CFP, and honestly, fans are already buzzing about them.
Early Season Showdowns
Early non-conference games can flip a team’s entire season narrative. They’re the first real test, a chance to make a statement—or stumble right out of the gate.
Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Sept. 5, Week 1)
The season kicks off in Nashville with Ole Miss taking on Louisville. For Ole Miss, it’s an early shot to pad their CFP résumé, whether or not quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is under center.
Louisville, meanwhile, sees this as a golden opportunity to grab a signature win before settling into a softer ACC stretch. Stakes feel high, even from the jump.
Ohio State vs. Texas (Sept. 12, Week 2)
Then there’s the Week 2 showdown: Ohio State vs. Texas. It’s a rematch of last year’s opener, which Ohio State snagged in a defensive slugfest.
This time, the action moves to Austin. Arch Manning leads Texas, and both teams are pegged with the second-best national title odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. If you’re not circling this one, are you even watching?
Oklahoma vs. Michigan (Sept. 12, Week 2)
Oklahoma heads to Ann Arbor to face Michigan in another big Week 2 tilt. The Sooners took the first round last season, but now the Wolverines have a new look.
With Kyle Whittingham running the show and Jason Beck dialing up plays for quarterback Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s offense could be a different beast. Expect a much tougher test for Oklahoma this time around.
Midseason Tests
Midseason non-conference games? They’re sneaky important. By then, teams have found their rhythm, and a win or loss can totally change their playoff path.
Notre Dame vs. BYU (Oct. 17, Week 7)
Notre Dame has to head to Provo for a tough one against BYU. Both squads were just outside the 12-team playoff bracket last year, so this one feels huge for the Irish.
Notre Dame’s schedule doesn’t offer many chances for big wins, so they can’t afford to slip here. And BYU’s record against AP Top 25 teams at home? It’s nothing to scoff at.
Late-Season Clashes
When the season’s winding down, late non-conference games can decide everything. These are the matchups that stick in the selection committee’s minds, for better or worse.
Notre Dame vs. Miami (Nov. 7, Week 10)
Week 10 brings Notre Dame and Miami together again. The Irish are still smarting from a loss to Miami that knocked them out of last year’s CFP.
Miami, with Darian Mensah at quarterback, wants to keep their championship hopes alive. Notre Dame’s got home field in South Bend, where Miami just hasn’t been able to win lately.
Notre Dame vs. SMU (Nov. 21, Week 12)
Last but not least, it’s Notre Dame vs. SMU in Week 12. This is their first meeting since 1989, and SMU’s first time heading to the Midwest to face an FBS team since 2021.
With the timing so late in the season, the result will be fresh for the committee. Both teams know what’s on the line—no one wants to leave their fate up to chance.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a wild ride. Non-conference games? Yeah, they’re going to shake things up in the CFP race.
Early-season showdowns, midseason gut-checks, and those tense late-season clashes—these matchups really give teams a shot to prove themselves. It’s funny how one game can tip the scales for a team’s playoff hopes.
If you’re itching for more details or just want to see which non-conference games are making the biggest waves, you can dive into the full article over at CBS Sports.
