College football Week 1 features Ole Miss vs. Louisville

The 2026 college football season has officially commenced, marking the start of the race for the College Football Playoff. A major highlight of Week 1 is the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff in Nashville, featuring a matchup between No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 24 Louisville at Nissan Stadium. This game represents the only meeting between two AP Top 25 teams during the opening weekend.

Ole Miss enters the season under the leadership of Pete Golding following a successful 13-win campaign. The Rebels feature a highly regarded backfield with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Louisville, led by Jeff Brohm, enters the contest with high expectations after a strong previous season.

Other notable Week 1 activities include the return of Pac-12 action and various Big Ten matchups. The opening slate includes games such as No. 2 Oregon against Boise State and No. 4 Notre Dame facing Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Additionally, the season's start is influencing various sectors, including sports betting markets and logistical planning for city traffic management during high-attendance events.