The college football season starts on Aug. 29. There will be a smattering of games on the first Saturday of the season.
The next week runs through Labor Day and includes a packed schedule with games far and wide.
Advertisement
There will be a contest in Dublin, Ireland, to start the season and the action will pick up from there. What are 10 of the must-see games in college football through Labor Day?
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media after the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Bill Belichick looks to get the Tar Heels on track and he catches a tough opening opponent in Ireland on Aug. 29. North Carolina will be tested greatly by TCU, which has won 18 games over the past two seasons in the tough Big 12.
Stanford head coach Tavita Pritchard speaks to the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown.
This one takes an asterisk because of the tight scheduling the Cardinal faces in the first five or so days of the season. After playing Hawaii on Aug. 29, there is a quick turnaround for new coach Tavita Pritchard. The first contest will be a challenge for Stanford, which has not seen a .500 season since the truncated COVID campaign. Then, comes an ACC contest againat Miami on Sept. 4. Someone didn’t do Stanford football any favors when making this grid.
Advertisement
8. North Carolina State at Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) catches the pass, past North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Jamel Johnson (21) during the second half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
An ACC contest on Aug. 29 that figures to have some role in determining the conference champion months ahead. Virginia won 11 games in 2025; North Carolina State captured 8. One of those for the Wolfpack was a 35-31 slobberknocker over the Cavaliers. Will Virginia be able to avenge the defeat?
7. Western Michigan at Michigan
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham speaks to media after the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The MAC-Big Ten matchup may not be considered a stern one for the Wolverines. However, eyes will be on it because it begins the Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor. Will the former Utah coach find comfort and a home in the Big Ten or will be miss his previous school?
Advertisement
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks to reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star.
Deion Sanders needs a fast start coming off a 3-9 season. There was the attention-grabbing 2024 season but the first and third years in Boulder combined for a 7-17 mark. Time to deliver and he starts against a Georgia Tech team that won nine games last year and will be quarterbacked by Alberto Mendoza, who transferred in from Indiana. Yes, he is Fernando Mendoza‘s brother.
Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch holds the Apple Cup trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium.
Interesting to see the Apple Cup as a season opener when it used to be played at the end of campaigns. This is a Pac-12 vs. Big Ten game where the rivalry tops the actual teams battling.
Advertisement
4. Clemson at LSU
LSU’s Amiya Joyner (1) holds a cutout of Lane Kiffin following a win over Ole Miss in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion.
On Sept. 5, the Tigers face the Tigers in a game that pits teams looking to regain their stature. LSU will be debuting Lane Kiffin as its coach. He’s one to create a buzz and a stir everywhere he goes. Kiffin will face Dabo Swinney, whose Tigers look to rebound from a 7-6 season. This one will have high stakes early because both coaches attract so much attention.
3. Louisville vs. Ole Miss (Nashville, TN)
Head coach Pete Golding speaks.
The Rebels officially start their post-Kiffin era. They catch a Louisville team that was impressive for much of 2025 before fumbling down the stretch. An interesting opener for Pete Golding. This one is early but should tell a lot about both teams.
Advertisement
Bruins coach Bob Chesney and women’s basketball coach Cori Close lead players onto the field during the spring game at Rose Bowl.
Former Pac-12 rivals meet in what is now a Big Ten-ACC game. Probably will never get used to that. UCLA opens it Bob Chesney era. He was the coach who led James Madison to great heights last year. This Bruins program needs a lot of work. Cal starts its first year under Tosh Lupoi, who spent time at Oregon and Alabama in addition to being on NFL coaching staffs.
Lambeau Field.
The site makes the game a must-watch to begin with: Lambeau Field. The Fighting Irish duel the Badgers. Marcus Freeman will want to make sure his team gets out of the gate fast, unlike 2025. Wisconsin is in the process of finding itself again. Will the Badgers be strong enough to battle a strong Notre Dame team?
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: 10 of the best college football games through Labor Day
