Fellow football fans, the college season has begun, and NCAA has begun preparing for the 2025-2026 season. There will be a lot of action in the coming weeks, so you'll be in for a treat!

Football is a sport rife with conflict and rivalry, and it's precisely because of this that strong rivalries are so captivating. Starting in Week 1, some matches will feature players considered evenly matched, leading to head-to-head matches. Let's take a look at which ones are in play.

Week 1

Florida State WR Duce Robinson 83 OVR VS. Alabama CB Domani Jackson 89 OVR

Duce Robinson and Domani Jackson, both from Southern California Trojans, transferred to different schools during the transfer window, and will face off in Week 1. Cornerback Domani Jackson is considered the superior player in College Football 26. However, Duce Robinson is taller, so it's questionable whether Domani Jackson can defend him, even though the two likely practiced against each other numerous times while on the same team.

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith 98 OVR VS. Texas CB Malik Muhammad 92 OVR

Next up is another wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is considered an All-American and holds the record for most CFB 26 coins in game. However, he only managed one catch against Texas in last year's CFB semifinals, demonstrating the impressive nature of Texas' defense.

Texas is currently considered the strongest team, while Ohio State is ranked third. The difference in weapon quality between the two teams makes this perhaps the most exciting matchup.

Miami (FL) DE Rueben Bain Jr. 92 OVR VS. Notre Dame LT Anthonie Knapp 85 OVR

Miami Hurricanes were dealt a golden hand this year. The 6-foot-5, 110-kilogram edger Rueben Bain Jr. is a formidable presence on the court, and Notre Dame needed someone capable of handling the 4. That role fell to sophomore offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp, who had just returned from last season's playoffs due to injury. While the two are similar in height, Knapp carries the extra weight.

Week 2

Oklahoma's RB Jaydn Ott 90 OVR VS. Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham 87 OVR/Ernest Hausmann 87 OVR

Oklahoma and Michigan State are also closely ranked, at 18th and 14th respectively. Running back Jaydn Ott, a recent transfer from UC Berkeley, will face a tough matchup. Michigan State's Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann are two top tacklers, and it will be up to Jaydn Ott to use his 91 speed and 92 turn to penetrate the defense.

Iowa State NT Domonique Orange 90 OVR VS. Iowa C Logan Jones 90 OVR

The two Iowa State teams will face off in a civil war, pitting two players who share the same rating in CFB 26 against each other. Domonique Orange, the defensive tackle for Iowa State, wears jersey number 95 and boasts a massive frame at 6'4" and approximately 325 pounds. A former four-star recruit, he is known for his strength and defensive playmaking, particularly against the run. Although he has only one career sack, he recorded 17 pressures and 17 defensive stops last season, demonstrating his ability to consistently apply pressure.

Logan Jones, the core of the offensive line, was listed as Iowa's starting center before the 2024 season. Iowa boasts a potent running attack in 2024, with eight games rushing for over 200 yards. This matchup between the two will be a highly anticipated event.

Week 3

Texas A&M WR Kevin Concepcion 90 OVR VS. Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore 93 OVR

Kevin Concepcion showed tremendous talent during his freshman season in 2024. He typically plays as a slot receiver, using his agility, precise routing, and ability to create separation to become a difficult target for opposing defenses. He is expected to continue to be a key weapon in Texas A&M's offense, particularly in short-yardage conversions and creating big plays in the open field.

Leonard Moore is widely considered one of the top college cornerbacks in the nation and was named a 2025 Associated Press preseason All-American First Team. He is known for his outstanding man-to-man coverage. As the core of Notre Dame's defensive secondary, he's often assigned to guard the opponent's best wide receiver.

The two will face off in the game. While Leonard Moore has the higher rating, Kevin Concepcion also had a strong showing in 2023. You can unlock both players in the game with 26 NCAA coins to play a simulated matchup.

Week 5

Georgia TE Oscar Delp 90 OVR VS. Alabama S Keon Sabb 88 OVR

Georgia and Alabama are neck and neck in the rankings, and this Week 5 matchup will have a significant impact on SEC championship rankings in November. The key factors in this matchup may fall on tight end Oscar Delp and safety Keon Sabb.

Both are veterans on the field, and this head-to-head matchup could determine the outcome of this game. If Alabama opts for a man-to-man defense and leaves Sabb alone to deal with Delp, it will be a significant test of Sabb's individual defensive skills.

Cincinnati NT Dontay Corleone 92 OVR VS. Kansas C Bryce Foster 89 OVR

Dontay Corleone was just named a top-100 player in 2025 draft, while Bryce Foster is still recovering. Handling such a freak of a player will undoubtedly be a challenge for Bryce Foster.

Week 8

Alabama WR Ryan Williams 95 OVR VS. Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy 94 OVR

Week 8 will feature a matchup of top players. Ryan Williams and Jermod McCoy both received high ratings in NCAA 26. They are SEC's best wide receiver and best cornerback, respectively. This will be a battle of truth for both players, and the winner will be the strongest spear and the strongest shield.

Week 9

Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor 94 OVR VS. South Carolina DE Dylan Stewart 94 OVR

Dylan Stewart, a 2025 AP Preseason All-American First-Team wideout, is one of the nation's top defenders. Kadyn Proctor, also a preseason AP Preseason All-American First-Team offensive tackle, is also a top-tier offensive lineman. Proctor's performance last season, allowing only three sacks and three QB hits in 323 pass-blocking attempts, demonstrates his exceptional defensive prowess. This will be a battle of two.

Week 12

Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love 95 OVR VS. Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis 93 OVR

Kyle Louis is an AP Preseason All-American first-team linebacker, while Jeremiyah Love is an AP Preseason All-American first-team running back. In 2024, he rushed for 1,125 yards, averaged 6.9 yards per carry, and had 17 rushing touchdowns. He was also a Walter Camp Preseason All-American and was named to Maxwell and Duke Walker Award watch lists. This is a matchup between a top running back and a top linebacker.

But generally speaking, a good linebacker has positioning and reaction advantages when defending the run, and Kyle Louis may be able to gain some advantages.

Week 13

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson 94 OVR VS. Colorado CB DJ McKinney 89 OVR

Jordyn Tyson, a wide receiver from Arizona State University and a 2025 AP Preseason All-American, broke out last season, catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning Big 12 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He's a versatile receiver with agile route running, good touch, and a strong after-catch.

Colorado is one of the best cornerbacks in Big 12, and Jordyn Tyson won't face them until Week 3. This matchup will prove whether he can truly claim the title of Big 12's best wide receiver.

These are some of the games worth watching in the upcoming season. These games are difficult to predict. You can collect these players in the game using CFB 26 coins to make predictions.