College football kicks off in less than a week. We finally made it.And because we love ranking things in tiers here at The Athletic — quarterbacks, coaches, program ambitions — we’ve collected 30 of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 campaign and slotted them into the appropriate categories. From potential championship previews to West Coast MACtion, these are the best and most interesting games of the season.Plan your weekends accordingly.Tier 1: The HeadlinersOhio State at Texas, Sept. 12: The second leg of last year’s season opener, which the Buckeyes won in a defensive slugfest. Heisman candidates galore, headlined by Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning and Buckeyes wideout Jeremiah Smith. Plus a redemption opportunity for Manning after a rough start to 2025, and a chance to set the pace among title contenders.LSU at Ole Miss, Sept. 19: It’s the most anticipated game of the season. Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford, Miss., to face his old team — you know, the one he left in the midst of a Playoff run — and an angry mob of Rebels fans. It’ll be Kiffin overload by kickoff, which should only fuel the animosity.Oregon at Ohio State, Nov. 7: Preseason No. 2 vs. No. 1 in a matchup that should impact the Big Ten and national championship races. This is the first meeting between the two since the Buckeyes toppled the top-ranked and undefeated Ducks in the 2024 Playoff on their way to winning the title.9.5 wins for Ohio State in 2026?Ralph D. Russo and Stewart MandelGeorgia at Ole Miss, Nov. 7: This matchup delivered a pair of instant classics last season. The Dawgs rallied to a dramatic comeback win last October, followed by Trinidad Chambliss and Pete Golding leading a New Year’s Day upset to send Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals.Miami at Notre Dame, Nov. 7: A rematch of arguably the most consequential regular-season result from 2025. Miami’s season-opening, last-minute home win over the Fighting Irish ultimately tipped the scales to put the Hurricanes in the CFP over Notre Dame. Also, be sure to clear the calendar for Nov. 7. It’s an absolutely loaded Saturday.Tier 2: Appointment viewingOregon at USC, Sept. 26: A chance for Lincoln Riley and USC to show how they stack up against the top-tier Ducks, and the first true test on a challenging schedule for a USC squad with high expectations.Texas vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 10 (in Dallas): Last season featured a much-needed Texas win against an Oklahoma team with a limited John Mateer at quarterback. Let’s hope we get both Mateer and Manning at full tilt this year.