The opening weeks of the 2026 college football schedule will get the season off to an exciting start. The Crimson Tide aim to return to national title contention after last season's first-round CFP win over Oklahoma. That should add some sizzle to what promises to be one of the best games of the 2026 season. A reloaded offense with transfer QB Alberto Mendoza and RB Justice Haynes could determine whether Georgia Tech contends again. The Cougars and Huskies playing for the Apple Cup in an early-season non-conference matchup arguably demonstrates everything different about the current college football setup.