Each year, it feels like we have truly accomplished something by getting to this weekend.
So close, yet so far away, it feels like during the waning weeks of the summer. Those days where even the kids feel like it would be a reprieve to be back in the classroom, where at least it isn’t so hot and the bugs don’t somehow get to your ankles.
But we’re finally here. A celebration of college football action is upon us, where almost every team and player still has dreams, most of which will be dashed at some point over the next four months. A new beginning amidst a backdrop in the Western hemisphere that is beginning to signal, at least scientifically, that things are actually ending.
We’ll take it, though. And Around The Corn will be here every step of the way (hopefully – more on that in an article for a later day) as we enjoy the latest chapter of this great entertainment that has us looking forward to shorter days, cooler temperatures and the fading of those aforementioned dreams.
Let’s take a look at the best that Week 1 has to offer.
Embed from Getty Images5 Games You Need to Watch This Weekend
Boise State at #2 Oregon (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – CBS)
The Broncos head to Eugene as major underdogs, yet simultaneously one of the main threats to grab an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff this season. Surprisingly, it took Oregon four tries to beat Boise State, and even that one (a 37-34 victory last time out, in 2024) got dicey at times. The Broncos don’t have Ashton Jeanty with them this time around, but feature a pretty solid tandem at running back that replaced him last season in Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. This is all to say, despite the perceived gap between the two teams in Vegas, the visitors won’t be intimidated.
Oregon’s defense is speculated to be one of the best in the country, and the battle between its defensive front and Boise State’s rushing attack is worth taking notes on for later in the season. If the Broncos can get a push up front, not only will they be successful in this game – it’ll signal good things moving forward as the schedule eases up significantly. I don’t expect Boise State to shock the country on Saturday afternoon, but they will have learned from last season’s tough road tests about how to keep things closer.
My Pick: 31-17 Oregon (does not cover -24.5 spread)
Clemson at #11 LSU (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)
The Battle of the Tigers is Saturday’s primetime action, featuring two coaches whose collective soundbites move the needle in the media almost as much as a Kardashian. Lane Kiffin’s LSU squad appears potent offensively, but it’s never entirely clear how a new coach will do in their first game at a new program. Perhaps Dabo Swinney’s defense will turn this into a sloppy, defensively dominated affair like last season’s edition, but Clemson fans will want to see more from the offense this season and have the personnel to suggest it should be expected.
Coach Swinney has elected to roll with the elder statesman in the opener, selecting Christopher Vizzina as the starter at quarterback for Clemson over true freshman Tait Reynolds. With LSU needing to replace a fair amount of talent in the secondary, there should be room to work downfield for Vizzina, especially with two future pros at wideout in T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco. I expect there to be more scoring in this year’s game compared to 2025, but LSU will get the job done and avoid making Lane Kiffin the subject of social media scourging.
My Pick: 34-27 LSU (does not cover -9.5 spread)
Wisconsin vs. #4 Notre Dame [game in Green Bay, WI] (Sunday, 7:30 PM ET – NBC)
The thirteenth installment of the Shamrock Series will be played at the home of the Green Bay Packers. This is far from the first time that Notre Dame will be playing in this series at a neutral venue that could feel more like a home game for the opposition, yet the Fighting Irish are a perfect 12-0 in such games all-time. They’ll take on a Wisconsin team that is looking to maintain momentum that was built near the end of last season when it was announced head coach Luke Fickell would be retained for the 2026 campaign. Fickell’s teams in Madison have struggled offensively due to a combination of failed philosophy changes and significant injuries, and this latest one will be tested heavily here against one of the country’s most talented and experienced defenses.
I’m curious which team’s run game will look more portent in this one, and willing to say that the answer will determine the result. Wisconsin is aiming to return to its roots and if it can stay healthy offensively, may have something at quarterback with dual threat Colton Joseph leading a run-heavy attack. Notre Dame’s run game has to replace both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but in this one faces an unproven Wisconsin front and should be able to move the ball well against it. I will call for the clock to be running too frequently for this game to be high scoring, but the Fighting Irish should take care of business rather handily if they are for real this season.
My Pick: 31-10 Notre Dame (covers -20.5 spread)
#24 Louisville vs. #9 Mississippi [game in Nashville] (Sunday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)
Lane Kiffin did his best to go scorched earth as part of his departure from Mississippi at the end of last season, but for the most part the Rebels appear pretty well intact and ready to again compete for a national title. Both sides of the ball return a lot of pieces, most notably Heisman Trophy candidate Trinidad Chambliss and first-team All-American running back Kewan Lacy on the offensive side. On defense, there is far more experience returning in 2026 compared with last season, which gives Pete Golding an opportunity to rely on the defense (his specialty) as much as his potent offense.
Louisville has done an excellent job keeping games close, but I’m not particularly confident in the Cardinals being able to break through with a signature victory for Jeff Brohm in this one. Offensively this appears to be a unit that will be heavily reliant on the run with Lincoln Keinholz at quarterback, and I expect it to be difficult to move the ball against the Rebels that way this season. At best, I could see Louisville hanging on for the majority of the game but never really looking like a true threat to win. At worst, Keinholz looks lost and Mississippi walks out of Tennessee with an easy victory.
My Pick: 28-20 Mississippi (covers -6.5 spread)
#19 SMU at Florida State (Monday, 7:30 PM ET – ESPN)
The Seminoles were only marginally impressive in their opener against New Mexico State, never truly struggling to dispatch of the Aggies but allowing their quarterback (previously a two-year starter at Furman) to carve them up for 272 yards through the air. SMU, with a healthy Kevin Jennings and a lot of other pieces on offense that can hurt teams, should be smelling blood at this point in a game that I was initially very confident would be a tight battle. For that to occur, Florida State will need to be crisper on both sides of the ball.
New Mexico State was unsurprisingly bullied up front and Florida State controlled the tempo on the ground. Against SMU, that will be much more difficult even though the Mustangs are replacing a senior-laden group on the defensive line from last season. Rhett Lashlee’s team is aggressive I terms of pressuring opposing quarterbacks, which does provide Ashton Daniels an opportunity to burn them. But he has to be sharper with his passes and I wasn’t sold on that ability based on last weekend’s performance. Initially I thought Florida State could win this one outright, but now I’m less confident that they will even cover the spread. Mike Norvell’s seat gets hotter if the Seminoles drop this one in any way other than heartbreaking fashion.
My Pick: 28-20 SMU (covers -2.5 spread)
Embed from Getty Images5 Games to Keep an Eye On This Weekend
Liberty at James Madison (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ESPNU)
One of the best G6 battles of the season will take place in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where Billy Napier looks to turn the page from a disappointing chapter in Gainesville with a program that did what Florida has never done (make the College Football Playoff). Even Liberty has been more successful during the Playoff era than Florida, and like the Dukes are early contenders to garb the G6 automatic bid.
Texas State at #5 Texas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – ESPN)
Fans around the country are eager to see just how fluid Texas’s offense looks with a more experienced Arch Manning and presumably better offensive line. Don’t sleep on the Bobcats, though, particularly quarterback Brad Jackson. Even against this SEC beast the sophomore from Texas State could raise some eyebrows in a positive way.
Baylor at Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – ABC)
I don’t expect that either of these teams will truly be fighting for a conference title of Playoff spot this season, but it is one of the closest spreads of the weekend between two P4 opponents.
Florida Atlantic at Florida (Saturday, 7:45 PM ET – SEC Network)
The Jon Sumrall era in Gainesville begins with what could be a tricky matchup against an in-state foe. The Owls have underperformed recently but there is a lot to like about the offense, which if efficient could put some pressure on Florida’s own offense to show up, something it didn’t do a ton of in 2025.
UCLA at California (Saturday, 10:30 PM ET – ESPN)
The Saturday nightcap should be a good one between two former Pac-12 foes that are generally regarded as afterthoughts within their current conferences. Getting to watch Nico Iamaleava and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele trade punches is worthwhile, even if not much is expected from either team this season.
