College football's most important non-conference games to 2026 CFP chase

In the 2026 college football season, non-conference games are set to significantly impact College Football Playoff (CFP) positioning. Key matchups include Louisville vs. Ole Miss on September 5, Ohio State at Texas on September 12, and Oklahoma at Michigan on the same date. These games offer teams opportunities to strengthen their playoff résumés with high-profile victories.

The Ohio State-Texas game is noteworthy as both teams have high national title odds, and it's a continuation of their recent competitive history. Oklahoma's game against Michigan is crucial for the Sooners as they navigate a challenging SEC schedule. For Notre Dame, games against BYU, Miami, and SMU present critical chances to secure signature wins that could bolster their playoff case after narrowly missing out on the 12-team bracket last season.

These non-conference contests are increasingly rare due to cancellations in home-and-home series among Power Four conferences, heightening their importance as teams look to prove themselves outside of their conference schedules