NCAAF Week 1 must-watch matchups: Big-time schools and in-state rivals

[p]Virginia grabbed its first ACC win over NC State after dominating the Wolfpack 34-8. North Carolina and TCU squared off in Ireland, and the Tar Heels, led by Bill Belichick, upset the Horned Frogs 15-10. FBS newcomer North Dakota State stepped into its next chapter with a victory, dismantling Jax State 33-7 and acing its first big-stage test.[/p][p]But it’s called Week 0 for a reason; the first games served as a starter for what’s going to be a massive slate of Week 1 matchups. Labor Day weekend brings five straight days of college football, and there are contests you don’t want to miss.[/p][p]Here are our top three games to watch in Week 1:[/p][embed guid="98d074b3-5ffd-4509-be92-5c20991eac01" url="https://x.com/CfbSelect/status/2094426616885621220" social-type="twitter" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lsu-tigers/h2g0yshj/"]#11 LSU[/a] vs. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/clemson-tigers/dUIMKguJ/"]Clemson[/a][/h2][p]After Lane Kiffin’s thunderous breakup with Ole Miss, the head coach is set to make his first appearance on the sideline in Baton Rouge and lead the Tigers. That alone is a reason to watch this contest, but it goes much deeper, of course.[/p][p]Both teams are notorious football powerhouses who faced each other in the 2020 National Championship, with LSU claiming the 42-25 victory. [/p][embed guid="ba496d5c-7d6b-4b71-93f6-f584a4365183" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edQ-IBHklBg" social-type="youtube" /][p]The Tigers are fighting a performance decline. Since winning it all in January 2020, LSU has not been back to the playoffs.[/p][p]Clemson made the postseason in 2024 but lost to Texas in the first round. Last season, Clemson had a disappointing 7-6 season.[/p][p]Is the program ready to rebound?[/p][embed guid="78d1f329-52f1-47d6-a12b-6af756ddafab" url="https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2057283652459868548?lang=en" social-type="twitter" /][p]The showdown between the Tigers will indicate how well Kiffin assembled his new roster and what shape quarterback Sam Leavitt is in.[/p][p]From watching Clemson, fans will get their first glimpse of whether the team is ready to reclaim the ACC throne or if Clemson is trending toward mediocrity again. LSU is the favorite and ranks No. 11, while Clemson was left out of the AP rankings to start the season.[/p][p]But Clemson will be a tough test for LSU, and Kiffin and his squad will need to show up at their best.[/p][embed guid="191f1a2e-3381-4b7f-a0ce-ced884b2dccc" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbPG-TqqWgg" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]Focus point:[/b] Last November, LSU landed a successful and decorated coach in Kiffin. But Clemson is led by Dabo Swinney, one of the best coaches in college football. He’s been the Tigers’ head coach since 2009 and has won two national championships while making four title game appearances. This game is going to be more than just a clash between two powerhouses — it’s going to be a battle between two masterminds worth watching.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET [/p][p][b]Where: [/b]Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana  [/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/louisville-cardinals/Aw4exNxp/"]#24 Louisville[/a] vs. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ole-miss-rebles/4bMYjKyd/"]#9 Ole Miss[/a][/h2][p]This is the only matchup this week featuring two ranked teams.[/p][p]At No. 24, the Louisville Cardinals are an ACC staple looking to win their first-ever conference crown. Ole Miss targets another deep postseason run after making it all the way to the national semifinals.[/p][p]The Sunday showstopper will feature a battle between two elite running backs — Louisville’s Isaac Brown and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy. Both belong among the best in the country.[/p][p]The Rebels will rely on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who enters his sixth year of eligibility. Experienced and poised, he will try to make an early statement about why he is worthy of the Heisman Trophy.[/p][p]Ole Miss will need him at his best to succeed not only against the Cardinals but also in the cutthroat SEC.[/p][embed guid="dcd18c53-50b6-4f87-a070-393f1b062b9d" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OobU_YN2-a4" social-type="youtube" /][p]However, Ole Miss still has a lot to prove.[/p][p] After Kiffin left for LSU, Ole Miss still won two postseason games. But Kiffin did guide the Rebels to an 11-1 record, and the program had many things to navigate in the offseason, including staff changes as well as replacing players who followed Kiffin to LSU.[/p][p]This will be the first real test for Ole Miss. The Rebels are projected to win, but it most likely won’t be an easy victory.[/p][p]Nobody will have a home-field advantage, so both teams will rely on their fanbases to travel well and create a fun atmosphere.[/p][embed guid="e01de6ed-8b78-468f-87ce-1aa57531fd3c" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwxo9pT5UxE" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]Focus point: [/b]Quarterback Chambliss has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove. Last season, his story was one of the best in college football — starting at a Division II school, he worked his way into becoming a starting playmaker at an SEC institution. Under Kiffin, he guided the Rebels to their best-ever record. But Ole Miss has a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator, and opponents have an entire year of Chambliss’ play on film. In 2026, in his own grand finale, he has an opportunity to prove he is consistent and one of the best quarterbacks in college football.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Sunday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m.[/p][p][b]Where:[/b] Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee [/p][h2]Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars[/h2][p]We’re just getting started, and Week 1 is already bringing a true rivalry game![/p][p]The Washington Huskies open the year ranked No. 17, and truthfully, the spread is too thin to classify the game as “big.” However, it’s still a huge rivalry matchup, and that’s why it’s on this list.[/p][p]The pride of the state of Washington is on the line, and the Washington State Cougars are ready to go all-in and battle for bragging rights, even as underdogs.[/p][embed guid="3f22e42e-39c9-4e5d-a7f3-fd1382f7c7a5" url="https://x.com/UW_Football/status/2095324422190379030" social-type="twitter" /][p]This year, the Apple Cup takes place at Husky Stadium in Seattle.[/p][p]The Cougars eye a massive upset and a successful first step in the Kirby Moore era. In the last six seasons, Washington State has gone through three different head coaches and witnessed the disintegration of the Pac-12 conference.[/p][p]But the Cougars are ready to bounce back and prove they can compete. A new staff should bring consistency and stability.[/p][embed guid="22084a01-2bc8-4c94-b997-d82c1fdae261" url="https://x.com/WSUCougarFB/status/2001074248639767046" social-type="twitter" /][p]The Huskies are more experienced, polished, and ultimately the better team. But the Cougars have hungry young players, powered by a brand-new staff and ready to prove everybody wrong. This should be an easy season opener for Washington, but with this being a rivalry game, it could be a lot closer than projected.[/p][p]Washington leads the series 77-34-6. Can the Cougars catch the Huskies off guard and add another tally to the winning column?[/p][embed guid="d7b4c809-0c21-4aa4-a772-18ccaadd0941" url="https://x.com/WSUCougarFB/status/2095180304575353034" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]Focus point:[/b] Washington State had to fill large gaps by bringing in transfers. Having a new coaching staff usually shakes up the roster a bit. The Cougars look new and young, but there are some star returners who will play key roles in the team’s success. If Washington State wants to compete, they will have to give wide receiver Tony Freeman good looks. One of the most dynamic players in the conference, he caught 54 passes for 590 yards and set a school record with 17.3 yards per punt return. Linebacker Keith Brown didn’t play last season due to an injury but recorded 24 tackles in 2024. He was vocal about helping Moore retain as many players as possible and emerged as one of the leaders on the team.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Sunday, September 6, at 4 p.m. ET[/p][p][b]Where:[/b] Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington [/p]