Week 1 Predictions – 2026
Last Year: Ohio State had a great regular season going 12-0 and headed into the Big Ten Championship game as a favorite. But a loss to Indiana in the B1G Championship and another in their first game of the playoffs to Miami and what was such a fun season, ended all too quickly. Leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Buckeye fans, we are all ready for 2026 campaign.
This Week’s Games: The Buckeyes open the season against Ball State. The Mason Jars should not be a challenge and the game will not be in question after the first quarter. Basically, just pick up the oversized check on your way off the field. …. Slightly more intriguing will be Clemson at LSU. Just a short time ago, these two teams where in the discussions for the National title, winning it on occasion. This year they are both looking to continue to rebuild respect from their fan bases. …. Wisconsin is opening this weekend against the Irish. The Badgers could use a signature win. Will playing the game in Lambeau field make a difference? ,,,, Louisville and Ole Miss will be squaring off in Nissan Stadium for the only ranked vs ranked game in week 1. Can the Cardinals pull off the upset knocking down a top ten SEC hopeful?
Buckeye Greats: As in the past, we will continue to include former Buckeye players in our prediction fun, and we are thrilled to have Vaughn Broadnax back with us as a regular participant for the 12th straight year.
Let’s have some fun! Here we go with our Week 1 Picks – Good Luck to All – Gregg
Ball State @ (1)Ohio State (-56 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy Steger: We don’t have any stats or game film to go by at this point so a lot of this is simply projection at this point. We’ve heard a lot about the new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is going to run the football in different ways this season. According to players Julian Sayin has been going under center more this preseason which allows the offense to do more with the run game and play action pass. Despite the defense losing some generational talent, I think we will still have a very well coached defense that is able to hold their own against most teams. Ohio State 42 Ball State 6
Rick DeSutter: xxxxx
Cory Steger: xxxxx
Dave Culver: xxxxx
Frank Berkopec: xxxxx
Gregg Watson: The last time Ohio State lost an opening game was in 1999 with a lose to Miami. But they are the only D1 team in the nation that has not lost a week 1 game this century.
Jason Harris: # 1 Ohio State opens the 2026 season Saturday at Ohio Stadium against Ball State, with high expectations for what many believe could be another championship caliber season for the Buckeyes. With quarterback Julian Sayin returning, along with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and eight returning offensive starters, Ohio State enters the season with plenty of experience and expectations. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will also get his first chance to showcase his system and Ball State provides the perfect tune up to establish the identity of this year’s offense prior to the big one in Austin next week.
While the offense gets most of the attention, the biggest question may come on the other side of the ball. Only three defensive starters return, meaning several young players will be asked to step into significant roles. Still, with Matt Patricia back coordinating a defense that allowed just 9.3 points per game last season along with several key portal additions, there is plenty of reason to believe the Buckeyes will remain one of the nation’s best defenses. Ball State will likely have difficulty consistently moving the football, and Ohio State should be able to create turnovers and short fields all day. This should be a game that gives Ryan Day the opportunity to get plenty of younger players valuable experience in the second half.
Ultimately, this game should be about Ohio State establishing its identity rather than simply winning. The Buckeyes have too much talent and depth for Ball State to remain competitive for four quarters, and once Ohio State settles into a rhythm, the game should quickly get out of hand. Don’t expect Day to run up the score but the Buckeyes should still jump out early and cruise to a comfortable win to begin the season 1-0. Ohio State 52, Ball State 7
Joe Hylton: xxxxx
John Seibert: xxxxx
Josh Watson: xxxxx
Mike Vandevelde: xxxxx
Steven Smith: xxxxx
Stefan Armintrout: xxxxx
Final Score: Ohio State xx Ball State xx
Clemson @ (11)LSU (-9 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: I actually don’t know who to pick in this game because we will see first year coach Lane Kiffin at LSU have his team play Clemson. I believe Clemson has been on a slow decline as a program the past 4 or 5 years leaving them less talented than they were in the 2010’s when they won 2 championships. Clemson did make what should be a positive hire at offensive coordinator bringing in Chad Morris who previously had success in the same position from 2011-2014. This is the biggest matchup of the week, but I believe LSU has more talent and will be better prepared and coached. LSU wins this one at home. LSU 34 Clemson 17
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: I do give credit to LSU, of all the major SEC schools, they tend to not shy away from playing other highly skilled teams. This year is no different opening the season with Clemson.
Jason: The 2026 college football season gets a marquee matchup right out of the gate when Clemson travels to Baton Rouge to take on # 11 LSU Saturday night marking the debut for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin. Clemson enters the game looking to prove it can return to the national championship conversation after struggling a year ago. LSU will have the advantage of playing at home and with both teams facing plenty of questions entering the season, this game could go a long way toward shaping the early College Football Playoff picture.
For LSU, the biggest storyline will be how quickly Kiffin can get his new-look team comfortable in his system. The Tigers have added significant talent through the transfer portal and will rely on quarterback Sam Leavitt to lead the offense. Clemson has questions of its own at quarterback, with Christopher Vizzina appearing to be the frontrunner for the starting job. That inexperience could be a major factor against an LSU defense led by Blake Baker. Clemson has the talent to make this a game, but playing on the road in Baton Rouge against an LSU team with a new coach and something to prove makes this an extremely difficult opener.
Ultimately, I think the combination of home-field advantage, LSU’s offensive talent and Clemson’s uncertainty at quarterback will be too much to overcome. Clemson should have enough talent to keep things interesting for a while, but as the game progresses, LSU’s depth should begin to show. Kiffin gets his LSU tenure started with a statement victory in front the home crowd, while Clemson heads home with more questions. LSU 31 Clemson 20
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: LSU xx Clemson xx
Wisconsin vs (4)Notre Dame (-20 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: This is a big game for Wisconsin as they only won 3 games last year. The Badgers had one of the best defensive front sevens in all of college football, but the rest of their team really struggled. The Badgers brought in a dual threat quarterback from Old Dominion named Colton Joseph, the Badgers will need him to make a lot of plays this season, because the rest of their offense lacked playmakers last year. Notre Dame is LOADED this year, they’re a lot of people’s preseason favorite to win the national title this season because of how stacked their roster is in combination with how easy their schedule is. Notre Dame will have one of the best defensive lines, one of the best offensive lines, the best secondary and one of the best quarterbacks in the country in CJ Carr. I don’t see any way Notre Dame doesn’t win this game. Notre Dame 31 Wisconsin 16
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: Luke Fickell REALLY needs to have a signature season this year.
Jason: The 2026 season gets an intriguing opening-weekend matchup when Wisconsin takes on #4 Notre Dame Sunday night at Lambeau Field. Notre Dame enters the season with legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations after finishing 10-2 last season and returning 17 starters and Marcus Freeman arguably has the nation’s most talented team. Quarterback CJ Carr is back after throwing for 27 total touchdowns with just six picks as a freshman. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is coming off a difficult 4-8 season and will look to turn the page after struggling with injury a year ago under head coach Luke Fickell.
For Wisconsin, the challenge couldn’t be much bigger. The Badgers will rely on quarterback Colton Joseph and a revamped roster that features more than 40 new players, while their defense will need to keep the game close against a Notre Dame offense that averaged 42 points per game last season. The Irish also have plenty of experience returning, although they will need to replace star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Playing at Lambeau Field should give Wisconsin a home-field advantage, and if the Badgers can control the clock and keep Notre Dame from creating explosive plays, they could make this a much more competitive game.
Ultimately, I don’t think Wisconsin has enough offensive firepower to pull off the upset. Notre Dame is more experienced, more talented and deeper at nearly every position, and Carr should be able to take advantage of a Wisconsin defense that will be asked to spend too much time on the field. The Badgers may hang around for a quarter or so thanks to the atmosphere, but Notre Dame’s talent should take over late in the first half as the Irish cruise to the win. Notre Dame 34, Wisconsin 13
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: Notre Dame xx Wisconsin xx
(24)Louisville @ (9)Ole Miss (-6 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: Ole Miss is a weird team to predict under their new coach Pete Golding who was the Rebels defensive coordinator last year. We have no idea what their offense will look like with the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss Jr. I think Ole Miss is going to see a regression this season and Louisville has been a team that consistently punches above their weight class. I expect them to win this game. Louisville 34 Ole Miss 28
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Gregg: xxxxx
Jason: The first ranked matchup of the 2026 college football season takes place Sunday night in Nashville when #9 Ole Miss faces #24 Louisville in the inaugural Music City Kickoff. The Rebels enter the season with legitimate College Football Playoff expectations after reaching the playoff last season, while Louisville is looking to build on a 9-4 campaign and prove it belongs among the ACC’s top teams. Ole Miss will also be starting a new era under head coach Pete Golding, making this one of the more intriguing opening weekend games in the country.
For Ole Miss, the spotlight will be on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss who was granted a 6th year and running back Kewan Lacy, two players who enter the season with significant national attention. The Rebels have plenty of offensive firepower, but they will face a Louisville defense that was one of the Cardinals’ biggest strengths last season. Louisville, meanwhile, will turn to former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who will be making his first start for the Cardinals, along with star running back Isaac Brown. The biggest concern for Louisville could be its offensive line, which returns only one starter, and that could become a major problem against an Ole Miss defense looking to create pressure and force the athletic Kienholz into difficult decisions and use his legs.
This has all the makings of a game that could come down to the final few possessions. Louisville has enough talent to challenge Ole Miss, and the Cardinals could give the Rebels problems if Brown gets the running game going and Kienholz protects the football. In the end, though, I expect Ole Miss’ offensive talent to be the difference. Chambliss and Lacy should make enough big plays to survive a tough Louisville challenge, while the Rebels’ defense makes a few key stops late to secure a big win. Ole Miss 34 Louisville 27
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: Mississippi xx Louisville xx
(19)SMU @ Florida State (+2 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: Florida State did not look overly impressive in their win against New Mexico State this past weekend. I do believe they have more top end talent than SMU, but the lack of rotation towards the end of the game against New Mexico State. I still don’t know what to expect from the Mustangs and head coach Rhett Lashlee this season, but I think they will be able to score points on Florida State. Florida State 31 SMU 27
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Gregg: xxxxx
Jason: The final game of Labor Day weekend brings an intriguing ACC matchup to Tallahassee when 19th ranked SMU travels to take on Florida State Monday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Mustangs enter the e picked 2nd in the ACC preseason poll, while Florida State comes in at 1-0 after defeating New Mexico State 34-17 in Week 0. SMU is looking to build on a successful first two seasons in the ACC, while Florida State is trying bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. The Seminoles will have the advantage of playing at home, but SMU has slightly more talent on paper.
For SMU, the biggest question will be the health and effectiveness of quarterback Kevin Jennings, who missed time during camp with a finger injury but has returned to practice. The Mustangs averaged more than 32 points per game last season and have enough offensive talent to put pressure on the Florida State defense. The Seminoles, meanwhile, already have a game under their belt and quarterback Ashton Daniels looked solid in his FSU debut against New Mexico State, accounting for 232 total yards and two touchdowns and while Sam Singleton Jr. was impressive, amassing 164 all-purpose yards. However, they will need to be much better on defense after allowing 17 points to lowly New Mexico State.
This should be a much closer game than their last matchup in 2024 when SMU dominated Florida State 42-16 in Dallas. Playing in Tallahassee should make a major difference, but I still think SMU is the more complete team entering the season. If Jennings is healthy and avoids early mistakes, the Mustangs should be able to make enough plays offensively to withstand a strong effort from Daniels and the Seminoles. Florida State will keep it close, but SMU’s experience and offensive balance should be enough to come away with a big ACC road win. SMU 31, Florida State 27
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx