Connelly's Must-Watch 2026 College Football Games
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- Bill Connelly picked five games per Power 4 conference based on highest combined SP+ ratings for both teams and a projected scoring margin under eight points.
- Clemson is the ACC's "hinge team," appearing in three of five ACC picks: home vs. Miami (Oct. 3), home vs. Virginia Tech (Oct. 24), and at Florida State (Oct. 31).
- Texas faces eight games against projected top-20 teams with the final three all on the road, including visits to LSU (Nov. 14) and Texas A&M (Nov. 27).
- Ohio State will host both Michigan (4-1 vs. OSU this decade) and Oregon (2-1 vs. OSU this decade) — the only two Big Ten teams with winning records against the Buckeyes this decade — within the final four weeks of the regular season.
- Georgia and Ole Miss meet Nov. 7 after their two high-stakes matchups last season, with Ole Miss DC Pete Golding unbeaten all-time against Kirby Smart.
- The 2026 College Football Playoff national title game is set for Jan. 25.
Why it matters: Connelly's framework flags specific schedule gauntlets that will shape the playoff race: Texas closes with three straight road games against top-20 opponents, and Ohio State draws both Michigan and Oregon late — the only two Big Ten teams with winning records against the Buckeyes this decade. Clemson's three-game ACC slate functions as a hinge that determines whether the Tigers return to the conference title game or knock out a contender in their place.
