The Post’s Zach Braziller lists the five best games of the 2026 college football season.
Ohio State at Texas, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.
On paper, Week 1 is a relative bore. Week 2 isn’t great either — outside of what has the potential to be an epic showdown in Austin.
This game could feature the top two quarterbacks (Texas’ Arch Manning and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin) and top two receivers (Texas’ Cam Coleman and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith) in the country.
Just about every NFL team will send scouts to this clash.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, takes part in a drill during an NCAA college preseason football camp in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, August 5, 2026. AP Photo/Eric GayLSU at Ole Miss, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford will undoubtedly feature fireworks after he left the Ole Miss program for LSU in the middle of the College Football Playoff.
Factor in that both teams are ranked in the top 11 of the Associated Press preseason poll and should enter the SEC opener for both teams undefeated, and there might not be a more charged atmosphere anywhere this season.
Georgia at Alabama, Oct. 10, TBD
During the regular season, Kalen DeBoer is 2-0 against Georgia and 10-4 against the rest of the SEC.
Alabama has owned the rivalry for the most part, winning 10 of the past 12 meetings — though Georgia beat Alabama to win the national championship in 2022 — and Georgia hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2007.
Kirby Smart will certainly remind his players of this well in advance.
Ohio State at Indiana, Oct. 17, TBD
The Big Ten’s premier program against its defending champion. Ohio State’s blue chip talent versus Indiana’s experienced transfers. A result that could go a long way to determining the powerhouse league’s champion.
Bloomington will be on fire, especially since the Hoosiers should cruise through their first six games against JV competition.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin smiles during the third day of training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectMiami at Notre Dame, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
This will be the toughest game on either team’s schedule, an opportunity for a résumé-boosting victory that will directly impact inclusion or seeding in the playoff.
The meeting last year in early September wasn’t decided until the final seconds, and ultimately knocked Notre Dame out of the playoff. The Irish will have revenge on their minds in the rematch.

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