Welcome into a new, weekly series from Sansom Sports Media! Many of you guys may be looking for matchups to watch, or not entirely sure what to watch as we move into the season this year. Here’s your new college football guide and picks, every week, all season long! This piece is meant to be a quick, neutral fans guide for the can’t miss games this weekend! I’ll also be throwing quick thoughts on each game, and making a pick of who I think will cover. This is not gambling advice, just my pick.
As usual, week 1 starts on Labor Day weekend, so that means a bit of a more spread out slate this weekend, and instead of picking 8 games (2 per time slot), we will be doing 12 games to include all needed action!
Friday, September 4, 2026;
San Jose State vs. Eastern Michigan, 6:30, ESPN+
No CFP implications, just good football. I’ll take EMU in a fun one.
Miami @ Stanford, 9:00, ESPN
Miami is favored by 24.5, however, this game features a CFP hopeful and last year’s runner-up. This is main-screen worthy. Of note, Stanford had a week of game action already while this will be Miami’s season opener. Some of the jitters may not be there for Stanford. I’ll take the Cardinal to cover the 24.5 points.
Fresno State @ USC, 9:00, FOX
Another matchup with a generally large spread. However, USC’s defense was suspect at best last weekend against another MWC team San Jose State. This week, the Fresno State Bulldogs come in, and this is a step up in competition. I expect USC to cover the 22.5 point spread.
Saturday, September 5, 2026:
Early Kickoffs:
North Texas @ Indiana, Noon, FOX
You have to put the defending champs on here, no? This is a game where I want to see how IU looks, but will likely transition away quickly. The Hoosiers should win big, but 40.5 points is a lot, so I’ll take UNT to cover.
Oregon State @ Houston, Noon, ESPN
Houston has been a trendy pick to be really good this year, and now they have a number by their name. The Cougars are 23rd per the AP poll, and come in favored by 21 here. Oregon State isn’t a pushover, and this game could be good. I’ll take the Beavers to cover.
Miami (OH) @ Pittsburgh, 12:30, The CW
Miami is facing a lot of turnover, however, they are the kind of team who can turn a game into a true rock fight and there is a real shot they control the trenches. I’ll be tuned in, and I believe Miami covers the 16.5 point spread.
Honorable Mention Early Window Games:
Youngstown State @ Kentucky, Rhode Island @ Temple
Afternoon Kickoffs:
Baylor vs. Auburn (Atlanta), 3:30, ABC
Auburn is favored by 7.5, however, there is a ton of uncertainty. How do Alex Golesh, and the new look Tigers do against solid competition against DJ Lagway and the Bears? This one should be a great game, and QB play will decide it. I trust Auburn QB Byrum Brown to get the Tigers to victory a bit more than former Gator DJ Lagway.
Boise State @ Oregon, 3:30, CBS
This game is vital for Boise State’s hopes of being a bid from the Pac-12 this season. They don’t have to win it, however, they need to compete with the Ducks. Oregon comes in as one of the top teams in the country with preseason Heisman hopeful Dante Moore. If the Broncos can keep it close, they will prove they can compete with the top of the country. However, Oregon is hungry, and extremely talented. I think they’ll cover here.
Boston College @ Cincinnati, 3:30, FOX
The Bearcats, led by JC French IV can finally put all of the Sorsby drama away and just focus on football, and they have a Boston College squad who should be improved, but still towards the bottom of the ACC. This one should be a very interesting matchup, and I’ll take Cincinnati to cover the 7.5.
3:30 honorable Mentions: Tulane @ Duke, Oklahoma State @ Tulsa, Texas State @ Texas,
Early Evening Kickoffs
Wyoming @ Colorado State, 6:00, USA Network
In a bid to help bridge the evening gap, this former conference battle will be an electric matchup. Colorado State will look to get their first win as a Pac-12 member, while Wyoming looks to get vengeance for CSU leaving! I’ll take Colorado State to cover the spread of 3.
Clemson @ LSU, 7:30, ABC
Lane Kiffin, Dabo Swinney, Courtrooms, NFL Players. Somehow, some way, those 4 things go together on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. There will likely be NFL players on the field for LSU, while Clemson looks to get back to their winning ways. Can Clemson pull off what will be one of the highest watched games this week? LSU is favored by 10, and I think they cover that.
South Dakota State @ Northwestern, 8:00, BTN
Welcome to Martin Stadium, Wildcats! The SDSU Jackrabbits are already 1-0, and come in as 12.5 point dogs. If Aiden Chiles is fully mobile, NU should cover. However, if he plays like he did in 2025, look for the Jackrabbits to cover, and maybe even spoil the opening of the stadium.
Honorable Mention Evening Games: FAU @ Florida, Western Michigan @ Michigan, Sam Houston @ Troy
Late Night:
UNLV @ Hawai’i, 10:00, The CW
Both teams are in the MWC now, and this is a conference battle! Hawai’i is coming off a disapointing loss to Stanford last weekend, while Memphis handled UNLV. Both teams will be hungry to avoid an 0-2 start. I’ll take Hawai’i to win outright.
UCLA @ Cal, 10:30, ESPN
This is a virtual toss-up, and both teams are coming in with low expectations this year. This one comes down to QB play and I like Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to will the Bears to victory.
Honorable Mention late games: Central Michigan @ New Mexico, Western Kentucky @ Nevada
Sunday, September 6, 2026:
Three games, all are worth watching closely!
Washington State @ Washington, 4:00, NBC
A Rivalry matchup gets a national TV audience on a Sunday. It’s perfect. The Apple Cup should be Washington’s this year, but anything goes during rivalry matchups. I’ll take Washington to cover the 23.5 late.
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame, 7:30, NBC (Lambeau Field)
Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell might have the hottest seat in the country this season. A win over Notre Dame would help fix that, however, that’s going to be much easier said than done. If Wisconsin comes out and competes with the Irish, that’s a significant positive step. For Notre Dame, with the lack of a conference, they have a thin margin for error. This is one they do not want to lose. I’ll take ND to cover the 20.5.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss, 7:30, ABC (Nashville)
In the only ranked matchup of the week, there are plenty of storylines. How does Louisville’s QB transfer do? Is Isaac Brown ready to be a Heisman hopeful? For Ole Miss, Pete Golding takes over after a tumultous offseason where Kiffin tried to ruin the program. Chambliss and Lacy are back and are the best QB/RB duo in the nation. I’ll take Ole Miss to cover the 6.5, but this game should be a close one.
Monday, September 7, 2026
SMU @ Florida State, 7:30, ESPN
Monday Night Football, CFB Edition! This game has significant CFP and ACC ramifications. A win here from FSU would announce they’re on the right path. However, SMU is eyeing a playoff birth themselves this season and a road win at Doak is an amazing way to announce your presence, especially with all eyes on your matchup. Expect this ACC battle to be intense, and I’ll take FSU to pull the upset off.
Reminder, these are not meant to be taken as gambling advice, but picking games is something to enjoy together! Let me know what games you disagree with in the comments below! I’ll keep a running tab of my picks week over week this season. I hope this guide is helpful as you navigate endless options!