There are 96 days until the start of the 2026 college football season, which officially kicks off at the FBS level in Texas on Aug. 29 when TCU travels to Ireland to play North Carolina. The other 12 FBS programs in the Lone Star State begin their seasons the next Saturday during Week 1. 

The non-conference slate in 2026 isn’t as loaded as it was last season when the Iron Skillet was still around and Texas A&M traveled to Notre Dame, but there are still plenty of games to get excited for in the fall. And with just under 100 days left until our drought ends, we decided to rank the 10 best to help build excitement for what’s ahead. 

1. Texas vs. Ohio State (Week 2) 

The biggest non-conference battle of the season is once again a clash between Texas and Ohio State. But this time it is in Austin under the lights as ESPN has already announced the game will start at 6:30 p.m. Last year, No. 1 Texas lost on the road to No. 3 Ohio State in a game that didn’t live up to the hype because the two teams combined for 21 points. This year should be more high-scoring because QBs Arch Manning and Julian Sayin are now established starters. 

2. SMU at Notre Dame (Week 12) 

This is an odd one because it occurs in the next-to-last week of the season and it is a pseudo-ACC game. SMU made the move to the Power 4 for these types of moments. The Mustangs have already beaten Miami, Florida State, and Clemson since moving up in 2024. This could be a CFP play-in game for both teams and would represent a giant feather in the cap for Rhett Lashlee’s program if they could pull the upset. 

3. Baylor at Auburn (Week 1)

Unfortunately, every game for Baylor in 2026 is going to become a major referendum – good or bad – on the future of Dave Aranda. A win in Week 1 against Auburn would give Baylor momentum and could lead to a 4-0 start. A loss, especially if it looks like last year in Waco, would start the calls for his job before the second week of September. It’ll be our first chance to see DJ Lagway in a Baylor uniform and it gives the Big 12 a chance to beat an SEC team. 

4. Texas A&M vs. Arizona State (Week 2)

The Aggies start SEC play in Week 3 with a home game against Kentucky and first-year head coach Will Stein. The final warmup for Mike Elko’s squad is a tilt with Arizona State – the 2024 Big 12 champ – at Kyle Field. The Sun Devils are a bit of an unknown and likely won’t be ranked in the Top 25 after QB Sam Leavitt transferred to LSU in the offseason. Still, it provides the first test for an A&M team that begins the year against Missouri State. 

5. TCU vs. North Carolina (Week 0)

TCU boat-raced North Carolina last year in Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson’s first game in charge of the Tar Heels. The 2026 contest is in Ireland on Aug. 29. That trip to Ireland has derailed a couple of seasons over the last few years and the Horned Frogs hope to avoid those pitfalls. 

6. Texas State at UTSA (Week 2)

The best non-conference rivalry in the state of Texas returns for a Week 2 matchup in San Marcos. Texas State lost the first five to the Roadrunners but are on a two-game winning streak and will likely be home favorites in 2026. This one will fly under the radar because it is on the same week as Ohio State at Texas and Arizona State at Texas A&M, so this one will be for the true ball knowers. 

7. North Texas at Texas State (Week 3)

A week after hosting rival UTSA, the Bobcats play North Texas in San Marcos. This is not only a big game for the two teams playing, but for the American and Pac-12 conferences that each team represents. There is one G6 spot up for grabs and most years it’ll go to the champion of one of those two leagues. The Mean Green could be 0-2 after starting the Neal Brown era with a trip to Indiana and a home game against UNLV. Texas State could be the same if G.J. Kinne’s team loses to Texas and UTSA to start the season. 

8. North Texas vs. UNLV (Week 2)

If a G6 team outside the American or the Pac-12 rises to CFP contention, it is likely going to be UNLV. The Rebels enter Year 2 of the Dan Mullen era as the class of the new-look Mountain West Conference. North Texas starts the season on the road against the defending champion Hoosiers so the Week 2 home game against UNLV gives us our first real chance to gauge the Mean Green. 

9. Rice vs. Western Michigan (Week 3)

Rice hopes to finish above .500 for the first time since 2014 and knocking off Western Michigan at home could be crucial for that cause. The Owls are likely to start the season 1-1 with a home win over Houston Christian and a road loss to Notre Dame. The Week 3 home contest against Western Michigan could be a real fulcrum moment because the next three games are at Fresno State, home to UTSA, and at East Carolina. Rice could be 1-5 and on a five-game losing streak heading into the Tulsa game on Oct. 17 if they can’t beat the Broncos.

10. Texas Tech at Oregon State (Week 2) 

This one is only on here because of the unknowns surrounding QB Brendan Sorsby. If he is ineligible, that means the Red Raiders are likely starting Kirk Francis, a Tulsa transfer, in a road game against the Beavers as Will Hammond works his way back in hopes of starting the Week 3 Big 12 opener against Houston. Texas Tech has struggled on the road in non-conference games under Joey McGuire so keep an eye out for this one.