Road to Vegas: Five top-25 matchups to watch in Week 1 of college football

Road to Vegas: Five top-25 matchups to watch in Week 1 of college football The road to the 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship officially began Aug. 29, and Week 1 offers the first real glimpse of the national title chase for most programs. **No. 11 LSU vs. No. 9 Clemson** Two top‑11 programs will meet in the weekend’s premier matchup, giving LSU and Clemson an early opportunity to make a statement in the national title race. Plenty of talent lines up on both sides, and the coaching debut of Lane Kiffin follows his eye‑catching exit from Ole Miss. This game could set the tone for each program while drawing national attention. **No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss** Louisville enters the season ranked for the first time since 2023, but the Cardinals will immediately face a tough road test against an Ole Miss program looking to reestablish itself as a national title contender. The matchup offers Louisville a chance to make an early statement and climb the rankings quickly, while giving the Rebels little margin for error under head coach Pete Golding, who took over after Kiffin’s departure ahead of the 2025 playoffs. **No. 2 Oregon vs. Boise State** Oregon opens the season with some of the highest expectations in the country, yet Boise State has shown in prior years that it can trouble Power Four opponents. That was evident in 2024, when the Ducks needed a last‑second field goal to survive against the Broncos at home. Boise State will aim to pull off another upset versus a national contender, while Oregon seeks to avoid an early stumble in its pursuit of a national title with Heisman Trophy candidate Dante Moore directing the offense. **No. 17 Washington vs. Washington State** Although the Apple Cup often carries bragging rights, this year’s contest draws added interest as the Huskies enter the season ranked within the top 20 of the inaugural College Football AP poll. Washington State will have a chance to spoil its rival’s start and claim a significant road victory, while Washington can confirm that its preseason ranking was justified. **Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Notre Dame** Notre Dame begins the season among the national title favorites, but Wisconsin has a shot at an early‑season upset as the program looks to rebound from a 4‑8 record in 2025. The Badgers are targeting their first road win since 2024 while attempting to knock off a top‑five opponent; should they succeed, the playoff picture could shift dramatically.