We are an ACC blog here, obviously, and we’ve covered the ACC’s best out-of-conference games in 2026.
What 10 games that don’t feature an ACC team are we most looking forward to catching?
Here are games 6-10.
6) Notre Dame at BYU, October 17, 2026
Notre Dame is a team I love this year. I think they are going to hover around the top 3 all season. First, they are going to be really good, and second, their schedule is pretty soft outside of Miami, SMU, and this gem against BYU. The Big 12 doesn’t get a lot of noteworthy out-of-conference games, but this one is massive for BYU and the Big 12. Notre Dame going on the road to Provo? That is going to be an electric atmosphere, and by far the Irish’s toughest road game of the year. I’m looking forward to this one.
7) Texas vs Oklahoma (Dallas), October 10, 2026
I love historical, traditional rivalry games. Give me a historical, deeply rooted matchup over any manufactured new realignment matchup. You are going to see a theme the rest of the way in the top 10. The Red River Rivalry is just a classic matchup with regional rivals, and both teams have playoff aspirations. Held with the State Fair of Texas as the backdrop, that’s college football pure and simple.
8) Texas at Texas A&M, November 27, 2026
From 2012-2023, this rivalry wasn’t played as a casualty of realignment. The SEC leaning into reestablishing games like this, unlike most other realignment moves, has helped them become a ratings juggernaut. People want to watch games where this is tradition and pageantry. That’s just a fact, but who really cares about fans? Certainly not the power brokers of college football, though I give the SEC credit for getting this one back. This game on Black Friday gives it an exclusive TV window, and that’s just smart. Any program that turns down a Black Friday scheduling spot has no vision. I’ll be watching.
9) BYU at Utah, November 7, 2026
I think BYU vs Utah is the Big 12’s best rivalry game. They call this one the Holy War, and since 2012 there’s only been 1 game decided by double digits. This is such a fierce rivalry the two schools can’t even agree on the number of times they’ve played each other. There is a good chance both teams will be among the better ones in the Big 12. Give me a good old-fashioned rivalry game any day.
10) Michigan at Ohio State, November 28, 2026
It’s not called the Big Game for nothing. The ratings that get pulled in for this game are always massive, and this year could be a top 10 matchup. The only reason I don’t have it higher is that I think Ohio State will be a considerable favorite at home, and it could look like last year’s 27-9 Ohio State win, but in a rivalry like this, anything can happen.
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