iStockphoto / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Notre Dame QB CJ Carr, Miami WR Malachi Toney, Texas QB Arch Manning, and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin
There are 828 regular-season FBS games on the calendar this year, and some of them are obviously more important than others. There are certain contests that largely serve as a distraction on a random Tuesday night, but there are more than a few others that could end up being make-or-break with teams angling for a national championship.
These are the games that could have the biggest impact on the College Football Playoff in 2026
At the end of each college football season, the CFP Selection Committee can often point to one or two games that ultimately decided a team’s fate. It is not always wins and losses in college football; hanging tough in a tough road environment can also serve you well.
These seven games provide the most opportunity to prove you belong (or don’t).
Ohio State vs. Texas (Week 2)
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
I’m not sure how these perennial powerhouses follow up their 14-7 barn burner from a year ago, but something tells me this year’s rematch will be more entertaining.
Each quarterback enters with a full year under their belt but also more to prove. With both teams possessing elite defenses, this is a great chance for them to show they have taken a step up.
Taking a loss this early in the season hurts, but winning this game essentially buys a slip-up down the road. The winner of this game gets into the playoffs, even if they have a couple of losses.
Notre Dame vs. Miami (Week 10)
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Notre Dame walks a tightrope every year by not playing in a conference; it gives them a favorable schedule but not much room for error.
Miami should be the toughest team the Irish face this year; they have to show they belong. If the ACC has a down year, there aren’t many chances for them to prove themselves either. This game should serve as an audition for both schools against real competition
If they are holding a loss by this point in the season, this could be an elimination game. After all, we saw the Irish get left out of the playoff last year with two losses.
Texas Tech vs. Houston (Week 3)
Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images
In the Big 12, an at-large bid is not something to reasonably count on. All conference games are essentially must-win to have a shot at playing for the Big 12 Championship.
Not only is this each team’s first conference game of the year, it is also their first power conference game. Each team will come in untested, but this will be Houston QB Conner Weigman’s 29th career start. His experience could give the Cougars a real chance at an early-season upset.
This early-season matchup will leave one of the 4 preseason-ranked Big 12 teams with little room for error.
BYU vs. Utah (Week 10)
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Following the same logic, the other 2 preseason-ranked Big 12 teams facing off in Week 10 should have serious implications.
It wouldn’t be surprising if one of these teams can lock up a spot in the title game with a win or potentially spoil their rivals’ hopes. This will be Morgan Scalley’s first Holy War as a head coach, but he has been a part of four as a player and 17 as an assistant. The 21-time participant is more than familiar with the same state rival, and will definitely be looking to start 1-0 as head coach.
The Holy War is always great television, and with a conference as wide open as the Big 12, this will definitely be a game to monitor.
Oklahoma vs. Texas (Week 7)
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Red River Rivalry (Shootout) is a staple of the college football season, but this year it could hold extra weight.
Going into this game, Texas will have played Ohio State and Tennessee, and Oklahoma will have played Michigan and Georgia. Quarterback John Mateer played in this game last year 17 days after he broke his thumb and threw three interceptions. No doubt he will be looking for redemption in a game that already means so much to both schools.
This game may be a dagger for each school, and with the rivalry already built, it could have fireworks.
Ohio State vs. Indiana (Week 7)
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
1-1 in their last two games against each other, this game serves as a rubber match for the premier teams of the Big 10 over the last few seasons.
The Big 10 Championship was the closest game the national champion Hoosiers had last year, escaping with a 13-10 victory over the Buckeyes. This game should also be the first real test for transfer QB Josh Hoover; Indiana brings him in with hopes of having an air raid offense, and Ohio State lost their player and safety Caleb Downs in last year’s draft.
This time in the regular season, there is no doubt that championship game implications will be on the line for at least one (if not both) schools.
Miami vs. Clemson (Week 5)
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
This game will likely be the first test for last season’s runner-ups.
No matter what you think of Clemson’s recent falloff, going into Death Valley is tough for anyone. Clemson is going to want to run the ball, and Miami’s D-line is going to be the strength of their team again. This should be a battle of who can impose their will only a few weeks into the year.
As for Clemson, they will have already faced off against LSU. They might be looking to salvage their season or put together a very impressive five-week resume.