Week 1 college football schedule and predictions released
Analysts have outlined the opening weekend matchups for the 2026 college football season, highlighting key games and providing score forecasts for each contest.
The first weekend of the 2026 college football season features a mix of marquee matchups and games against lower-division opponents. Notable contests include Boise State traveling to Oregon, Clemson facing LSU, and Wisconsin playing Notre Dame in Green Bay. Analysts predict Oregon to defeat Boise State 41-21 and LSU to beat Clemson 27-16.
Notre Dame is favored to win over Wisconsin 30-17, while Ole Miss is expected to edge Louisville 34-29. In the ACC, SMU is projected to lose to Florida State 26-23. Thursday’s slate has Missouri hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with a forecasted 56-7 victory for the home team, and Utah playing Idaho, predicted to win 49-10.
Friday’s games feature Miami at Stanford, with Miami favored 37-16, and USC hosting Fresno State, where USC is expected to win 35-17. Early Saturday games include Alabama hosting East Carolina, with a projected 44-14 result, and Ohio State opening against Ball State, forecasted as a 59-3 win.
Other highlighted matchups are Texas versus Texas State, predicted 48-14, Penn State versus Marshall at 41-10, and Georgia defeating Tennessee State 56-3. The full schedule includes numerous other contests across all divisions, each accompanied by score predictions from the analyst.