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College football today brings a full slate of Week 1 action, with 34 games scheduled across Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. While the opening weekend does not feature a crowded lineup of ranked-versus-ranked matchups, it offers plenty of intrigue, new coaches, transfer quarterbacks and early College Football Playoff implications.
ESPN analyst Bill Connelly described the weekend as an ideal opportunity for “Quadbox Life,” with fans able to follow multiple games at once. The schedule includes national contenders, ambitious Group of 6 programs, FCS challengers and several teams beginning new eras.
College Football Today: LSU and Clemson Lead a Critical Week 1
The headline matchup arrives Saturday night when Clemson visits No. 11 LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Tigers from Clemson begin the season unranked for the first time in 15 years, while LSU enters Lane Kiffin’s first season as a double-digit favorite.
The matchup carries added weight because both programs have experienced dramatic changes since their national championship peaks. Clemson won the 2018 title, while LSU defeated Clemson for the 2019 championship. Since then, both teams have struggled to maintain consistent national relevance.
LSU is favored by 10.5 points, according to the line cited by ESPN. The game will offer an early test of Kiffin’s revamped roster and Dabo Swinney’s effort to restore Clemson’s championship standard.
Sunday Night Brings the Weekend’s Biggest Ranking Test
The most significant game by ranking takes place Sunday night when No. 24 Louisville faces No. 9 Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ole Miss is favored by 6.5 points, but several major questions surround both teams.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss must prove that a reworked receiving corps can support the Rebels’ high expectations. New offensive coordinator John David Baker will also be closely watched after taking over an elite attack from last season.
Louisville, coached by Jeff Brohm, enters the game with questions at quarterback, along the offensive and defensive lines, and among its transfer-heavy receivers. ESPN identified the contest as a potentially decisive early indicator for the ACC and SEC.
Texas, Oregon and Alabama Begin With Heavy Expectations
Several ranked teams open the weekend as significant favorites. No. 5 Texas hosts Texas State at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, with Arch Manning leading an offense that also returns receiver Ryan Wingo and adds major transfer talent.
The Longhorns are favored by 30.5 points, but Texas State could test a Texas defense featuring first-year coordinator Will Muschamp. The game also comes one week before Texas visits Ohio State, creating a possible distraction for the home team.
No. 2 Oregon hosts Boise State in a compelling afternoon matchup. Boise State has beaten Oregon three times in four meetings, and its defensive line could challenge an Oregon offensive front that remains a concern. The Ducks are favored by 24.5 points.
At noon Saturday, No. 13 Alabama hosts East Carolina. The focus will be on redshirt freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, who takes over an offense that ranked only 36th nationally in offensive SP+ last season. Alabama is favored by 28.5 points, but ECU’s aggressive style could provide an important early examination.
Notre Dame, Miami and Ohio State Face Opening Tests
No. 4 Notre Dame travels to Lambeau Field on Sunday to face Wisconsin. The Fighting Irish are favored by 20.5 points and remain one of ESPN’s leading national championship selections.
Notre Dame’s defense, led by corners Leonard Moore and Christian Gray, could make life difficult for Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph. The Irish will also need to show that quarterback CJ Carr and the offensive skill group are strong enough to support a title run.
Friday night features No. 7 Miami at Stanford, with the Hurricanes favored by 24.5 points. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, receiver Cooper Barkate and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. headline an offense rebuilt through the transfer portal.
No. 1 Ohio State begins its campaign against Ball State, while No. 6 Indiana hosts North Texas. Both games are expected to be comfortable victories, but the Buckeyes and Hoosiers will eventually face much more demanding schedules.
Potential Upsets and Late-Night Drama
The Week 1 schedule also includes several games capable of producing surprises. UCLA visits California in a late-night rivalry contest that ESPN described as one of its favorite games of the weekend. UCLA is favored by only 1.5 points, making it one of the closest projected matchups.
UNLV visits Hawai’i, while Central Michigan travels to New Mexico. Both games feature uncertainty at quarterback and could shape the early Group of 6 race.
ESPN’s “chaos” forecast highlights Tarleton State at Bowling Green, Rhode Island at Temple, South Dakota State at Northwestern and Idaho State at Utah State. The projection gives an 86% chance that at least one FCS team wins.
- LSU is favored over Clemson by 10.5 points.
- Ole Miss is favored over Louisville by 6.5 points.
- Notre Dame is favored over Wisconsin by 20.5 points.
- Oregon is favored over Boise State by 24.5 points.
Week 1 concludes Monday night when No. 19 SMU visits Florida State. The Mustangs are favored by 2.5 points, placing pressure on Florida State coach Mike Norvell and quarterback Ashton Daniels after a cautious Week 0 performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest game in college football today?
The most important ranked matchup is Louisville versus Ole Miss on Sunday night, while Clemson at LSU is the marquee Saturday contest.
When does Clemson play LSU?
Clemson plays at LSU Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Which quarterback is under the most pressure?
Alabama’s Keelon Russell, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz and Florida State’s Ashton Daniels all face significant early scrutiny.
Could an FCS team pull an upset?
Yes. ESPN’s projections identify four FCS-versus-FBS games with meaningful upset potential during Week 1.
