Every college football season provides big games between teams that we expect to go down to the wire and potentially result in instant classics. This 2026 season has plenty of those, but I narrowed them down to my top 5 most anticipated games of the year.
5. OU vs Texas — Red River Shootout — Week 6
It’s simple, this is one of the biggest games of the season every year. These teams can’t stand each other. The reason why the Red River Shootout is one of the most anticipated games of the year this season is because it could play a huge factor in how these teams finish at the end of the season. Is it the tie breaker that allows one to make it to Atlanta over the other? Both teams could have 1-2 losses going into this game, making the stakes that much higher. It’s a game that, because it’s in the middle of the season, can essentially make or break a season and either propel a team upwards or send them into a free fall. If that’s not enough, then regardless, it’s a huge game between two of the biggest brands in football that is bound to have some fireworks.
4. Oregon @ Ohio State — Week 10
A November matchup between a team who has lost to the eventual national champion the last two years and a team who has won a National Championship in the last two years. Oregon is trying to become the 4th straight Big Ten team to win the National Championship. They have been so close in recent years that it’s really all they have left to do. Meanwhile, Ohio State is trying to get back to where they feel like they belong. They have the QB, they have the WR, they believe they have the pieces to win it all again. This late in the season, Big Ten title game implications, CFP implications, let the drama ensue!
3. Ohio State @ Indiana — Week 7
Not much needs to be said about this one. Indiana comes in as the defending champions, something I honestly never thought I’d say. Ohio State still thinks they run the Big Ten, even if Cignetti and Indiana dethroned them in the Big Ten Championship last year. Is this their chance at revenge? Does Indiana’s new QB Josh Hoover announce himself to the world? Indiana’s schedule is pretty lackluster up until this point so this will be their first real test. A chance to let people know they’re looking to repeat, or the potential wake up call is on the line. Bloomington is going to be jumping for this big time matchup.
2. Ohio State @ Texas — Week 2
Yes, Ohio State is in another big game. This time, it’s their first big game of the season and against a team in Texas, who feels like this is their year to win their first National Championship since 2005. Texas lost this same matchup last year and didn’t look particularly good doing it. Arch had the highest of high expectations and looked just plain bad. It created a slow start for Texas that ended up resulting in them not making the Playoff, despite them getting hot at the end of the season. Now, if Texas loses again, does it draw questions about Sark? Will they be able to regroup knowing the schedule doesn’t get any easier? If Ohio State loses, it gives them less leeway in their other big games later on in the season. It’s an early season matchup that doesn’t result in either team being doomed the rest of the way, but the loser of this game has less room for error the rest of the way, while the winner gains plenty of bonus points when the final rankings are discussed at the end of the year.
1. LSU @ Ole Miss — Week 3
There’s no other option. This is the one everyone is going to want to tune into. Forget the implications this game could have on the rest of the season. Both teams open up with ACC opponents that could surprise them. Both have tough games the following week after this one, that could really cause a ripple effect for the rest of their seasons. Both have SEC and National Championship aspirations. Yes, all of that matters. When it comes down to it though, this game is about Lane Kiffin and his return to Oxford. Even if this was the only game these teams played all season, all eyes would be on it. Ole Miss would have built this man a statue and he left for a rival before the season ended. Ole Miss fans have every right to be upset and they are definitely going to let him hear it. He got mustard bottles and golf balls thrown at him in his return to Tennessee. There’s no telling what is going to happen when he arrives on the field pregame for this one. Meanwhile, LSU fans are embracing the villain role. They’ll back their guy and go to war. The Grove could get nasty, the play on the field could get nasty, it could all be nasty. But it’s for sure going to be entertaining. Will Ole Miss fans be able to continue trashing him, but this time with a victory in their back pocket? Or will LSU fans be able to shut them up and remind them that he made the right decision to leave? Put the phone down, grab a beer, and kick your feet up for this one because it’s bound to have it all.