6 must-watch matchups that could play key role in setting the 2026 College Football Playoff field

6 must-watch matchups that could play key role in setting the 2026 College Football Playoff field 1 of 5 | Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson is stopped by the Texas defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio., Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File) 2 of 5 | Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs against Alabama during the second half of a Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File) 3 of 5 | Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) 4 of 5 | LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) is tackled by Mississippi linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) 5 of 5 | BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) is blocked by Utah offensive lineman Michael Mokofisi (52) and Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Provo, Utah, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/George Frey, File) By MAURA CAREY Updated 6:16 PM MESZ, August 13, 2026 Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit From early-season heavyweight clashes to conference rivalry games, the road to the College Football Playoff could come down to a handful of marquee matchups. Here are six must-watch games that could shape the playoff race in 2026: Steve Sarkisian and Ryan Day match wits again as both teams get an early-season measuring stick game after failing to meet expectations in 2025. A Week 1 loss to the Buckeyes left the Longhorns fighting an uphill battle with little room for error throughout the rest of the season. Texas ultimately fell short of the 12-team CFP while the Buckeyes lost their last two games, the latter in the CFP quarterfinals. Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning will get the headlines but last year’s 14-7 win by Ohio State is a reminder that the best-prepared defense may rule the day. The Buckeyes are reloading on defense — including three spots on the line — while Texas has four of its starting o-linemen back. Both teams have stacked schedules — Texas faces the likes of Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M and Ohio State has Indiana, Oregon, USC and Michigan — so a win here helps set the tone. One of the most intriguing games of the year, an emotionally charged revenge game on paper for Ole Miss, as Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford for the first time since his awkward departure for LSU last December. Trinidad Chambliss is a Heisman contender again for the Rebels. Will Leavitt says he couldn’t be happier after transferring in for the Tigers. Boo Carter came to Colorado as a defensive back, but like Travis Hunter, could see snaps on offense Venables agrees to 2-year contract extension after leading Oklahoma to College Football Playoff Iowa signs athletic director Beth Goetz to contract extension through early 2032 Besides the obvious tension, the matchup could help shape the playoff race early. As contenders but not necessarily favorites in the SEC, Ole Miss and LSU could find themselves fighting for an at-large bid. A win here could make all the difference come playoff selection time, especially with both teams facing schedules that leave little room for error. The SEC’s two most dominant programs over the past decade meet in Tuscaloosa, with plenty of recent history hanging over the matchup. Georgia had its 33-game home winning streak snapped by Alabama with a 24-21 defeat in 2025, but the Bulldogs later got revenge with an SEC championship game rout. Both teams now enter the season with plenty at stake. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer faces pressure to keep the Crimson Tide in national title contention following Ty Simpson’s departure for the NFL. Kirby Smart looks to finally secure a regular-season win against Alabama. This one could have major implications beyond just SEC standings. This is our AP Top 25 Poll newsletter. You can subscribe below and we will email it you weekly. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and Terms of Service apply. Indiana was untouchable in 2025, as coach Curt Cignetti and a haul of transfers — including quarterback Fernando Mendoza — put together a perfect 16-0 season and claim the Hoosiers’ first national title. The final four wins were a murderer’s row: Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and Miami. It will be difficult to go through the Big Ten unscathed. A road win here would reassert the Buckeyes as a top dog in a rugged conference. It’s safe to assume grudges are still being held in South Bend after Miami beat the Fighting Irish in the opener and then finished ahead of Notre Dame in the rankings to claim a playoff spot this past season. Both teams enter the season with extra motivation to win it all and rosters capable of pulling it off. While Miami can return to the playoff by winning an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title, this is one of the few statement-making opportunities for the Irish, who have a relatively low strength of schedule. Morgan Scalley’s debut season as Utah coach will include an edition of the Holy War that could play a big role (again) in the Big 12 race and the playoff berths available the first week of December. There’s new staff in place and new faces, too, including two replacements for NFL draft picks on the offensive line. BYU held on to coach Kalani Sitake, has quarterback Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin back, and is coming off a 12-2 season loaded with big wins and only a pair of losses to Texas Tech. The Cougars will be itching to erase that runner-up finish and crack the CFP. Oklahoma at Michigan (Sept. 12), Houston at Texas Tech (Sept. 19), SMU at Louisville (Sept. 19), Miami at Clemson (Oct. 3), USC at Penn State (Oct. 10), Texas at Texas A&M (Nov. 27). MAURA CAREY Carey runs the live blog for AP’s Top 25 college football poll every week. She is an Associated Press sports writer based in Atlanta. twitter instagram mailto