The 2026 college football season wasted little time reminding fans why September is one of the most unpredictable months in sports. Rivalries returned, playoff contenders were tested and several teams immediately made statements about their championship aspirations. In the Pacific Northwest, the spotlight was squarely on Seattle, where Washington and Washington State renewed one of college football’s oldest rivalries in the 118th Apple Cup. Around the country, Notre Dame, Oregon, LSU, Ohio State and Miami were among the programs making early impressions.
For Washington, the Apple Cup ended with the result the Huskies wanted most: a 24-10 victory over Washington State at Husky Stadium. The game was competitive for much of the afternoon, but Washington eventually pulled away behind quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who accounted for both a passing and rushing touchdown. Williams completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and added 61 yards on the ground, giving the Huskies a dynamic presence that could become increasingly important as the season progresses.
The loss was a difficult beginning for Washington State and first-year head coach Kirby Moore, but the Cougars showed enough defensively to suggest they may be more competitive than the final score indicated. Washington State held the Huskies to just 3.3 yards per carry and pressured Williams throughout the afternoon. The problem was an offense that struggled to sustain drives, converting none of its 11 third-down opportunities while committing three turnovers. Quarterback Caden Pinnick nevertheless showed flashes, rushing for 61 yards and a touchdown in his first game as a Cougar.
For Washington, the victory represents more than simply a 1-0 start. The Huskies have now retained the Apple Cup trophy while continuing their transition into the Big Ten. There were flaws—most notably 130 penalty yards—but there were also encouraging signs from Williams and a defense that limited Washington State to 242 total yards. With Utah State coming to Husky Stadium next, Washington has an opportunity to build momentum before the schedule becomes significantly more demanding.
One of the weekend’s most impressive performances came from No. 4 Notre Dame, which traveled to Green Bay and defeated Wisconsin 41-13 at historic Lambeau Field. The Irish led only 13-10 at halftime before taking control in the second half. Quarterback C.J. Carr threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Aneyas Williams rushed for 90 yards and two scores. Notre Dame’s defense added a major turning point with a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by DJ McKinney.
The result was particularly significant because Wisconsin had managed to stay within striking distance for much of the first half. Notre Dame’s ability to turn a competitive game into a 28-point victory demonstrated the kind of second-half depth that playoff contenders need. For head coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish, the opening weekend could hardly have gone much better. Notre Dame returns home next week to face Rice, giving the Irish a chance to move to 2-0 before the schedule intensifies.
In Eugene, No. 2 Oregon survived one of the weekend’s most entertaining games, defeating Boise State 34-27. The Broncos jumped ahead early and led by 10 points before Oregon gradually found its rhythm. Quarterback Dante Moore ultimately threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore with 8:45 remaining that broke a 27-27 tie.
The victory was particularly important for Oregon because Boise State proved it can compete with one of the nation’s elite programs. The Broncos produced 274 yards of offense and never allowed the Ducks to turn the game into a runaway. Oregon, however, finished with 497 total yards, and the late connection between Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore provided the decisive play. After another strong performance against Oregon, Boise State looks like a team that could remain relevant in the national playoff conversation despite the opening loss.
Elsewhere, the opening weekend produced several emphatic statements. LSU overwhelmed Clemson 51-10 in Baton Rouge, while No. 1 Ohio State rolled past Ball State 56-3 behind a spectacular performance from quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith. No. 7 Miami also dominated Stanford 45-6, with quarterback Darian Mensah throwing five touchdown passes and Malachi Toney catching three of them. Meanwhile, Ole Miss survived Louisville 41-38 on a last-second 48-yard field goal in one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes.
If the first weekend is any indication, the 2026 season could be one of the most compelling in recent memory. Washington has an early rivalry victory, Oregon has survived a serious playoff-caliber challenge, Notre Dame has demonstrated second-half dominance, and Boise State has shown that it can play with the nation’s best. With conference races still months away from being decided and the College Football Playoff picture only beginning to take shape, the opening weekend offered exactly what college football promises every September: new contenders, old rivalries and plenty of reasons to keep watching.