Big 10 involved in several games key to football playoff
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From early-season heavyweight clashes to conference rivalry games, the road to the College Football Playoff could come down to a handful of marquee matchups.
Here are six must-watch games that could shape the playoff race in 2026:
Ohio State at Texas
On Sept. 12, Steve Sarkisian and Ryan Day match wits again as both teams get an early-season measuring stick game after failing to meet expectations in 2025. A Week 1 loss to the Buckeyes left the Longhorns fighting an uphill battle with little room for error throughout the rest of the season. Texas ultimately fell short of the 12-team CFP while the Buckeyes lost their last two games, the latter in the CFP quarterfinals.
Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning will get the headlines but last year’s 14-7 win by Ohio State is a reminder that the best-prepared defense may rule the day.
LSU at Ole Miss
On Sept. 19 in one of the most intriguing games of the year, an emotionally charged revenge game on paper for Ole Miss, as Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford for the first time since his awkward departure for LSU in December. Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss is a Heisman contender again for the Rebels. Will Leavitt says he couldn’t be happier after transferring in for the Tigers.
Besides the obvious tension, the matchup could help shape the playoff race early. As contenders but not necessarily favorites in the SEC, Ole Miss and LSU could find themselves fighting for an at-large bid.
Georgia at Alabama
On Oct. 10, the SEC’s two most dominant programs over the past decade meet in Tuscaloosa, with plenty of recent history hanging over the matchup. Georgia had its 33-game home winning streak snapped by Alabama with a 24-21 defeat in 2025, but the Bulldogs later got revenge with an SEC championship game rout.
Both teams now enter the season with plenty at stake. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer faces pressure to keep the Crimson Tide in national title contention, while Kirby Smart looks to finally secure a regular-season win against Alabama.
Ohio State at Indiana
On Oct. 17, these teams meet again after Indiana was untouchable in 2025, as coach Curt Cignetti and a haul of transfers -- including quarterback Fernando Mendoza -- put together a perfect 16-0 season and claim the Hoosiers’ first national title. The final four wins were a murderer’s row: Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and Miami.
It will be difficult to go through the Big Ten unscathed.
Miami at Notre Dame
On Nov. 7, it’s safe to assume grudges are still being held in South Bend after Miami beat the Fighting Irish in the opener and finished ahead of Notre Dame in the rankings to claim a playoff spot last fall.
Both teams enter the season with extra motivation to win it all and rosters capable of pulling it off.This is one of the few statement-making opportunities for the Irish, who have a relatively weak strength of schedule.
BYU at Utah
Also on Nov. 7, Morgan Scalley’s debut season as Utah coach will include an edition of the Holy War that could play a big role (again) in the Big 12 race and the playoff berths available the first week of December. There’s new staff in place and new faces, too, including two replacements for NFL draft picks on the offensive line.
BYU held on to coach Kalani Sitake, has quarterback Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin back
Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson is stopped by the Texas defense in the second half in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 30, 2025. (AP file photo)
Honorable mention
Oklahoma at Michigan (Sept. 12), Houston at Texas Tech (Sept. 19), SMU at Louisville (Sept. 19), MIami at Clemson (Oct. 3), USC at Penn State (Oct. 10), Texas at Texas A&M (Nov. 27).
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