Six notable games may define season | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette highlights six marquee matchups that could influence the 2026 College Football Playoff picture. The most prominent opener is Ohio State at Texas on Sept. 12, a rematch of a 2025 Week 1 game where a loss left Texas with little margin and ultimately short of the 12-team CFP, while Ohio State ended with a late finish that included a quarterfinal. The list continues with LSU at Ole Miss on Sept. 19, framed around Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford and the 2026 impact of key players. Georgia at Alabama is set for Oct. 10, followed by Ohio State at Indiana on Oct. 17. The final entry mentioned is Miami at Notre Dame on Nov. 7.