Bill Connelly selects must-see 2026 games using combined SP+ ratings and projected margins under eight points. In the ACC, highlights include SMU at Louisville (Sept. 19), Miami at Clemson (Oct. 3), and Clemson at Florida State (Oct. 31), with Miami at Notre Dame (Nov. 7) as a marquee non-conference clash.

Big 12 features Arizona at BYU (Sept. 12), BYU at TCU (Oct. 3), and the Holy War BYU at Utah (Nov. 7), plus Utah's late tests at Arizona and TCU.

Big Ten showcases USC at Penn State (Oct. 10), Ohio State at Indiana (Oct. 17), Indiana at Michigan (Oct. 24), Oregon at Ohio State (Nov. 7), and Indiana at Washington (Nov. 21).

SEC delivers Texas A&M at LSU (Sept. 26), Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10), Georgia at Ole Miss (Nov. 7), and Texas' brutal road finale at LSU (Nov. 14) and Texas A&M (Nov. 27). The College Football Playoff chase runs through these matchups.