College Football Is Back: Your 2026 Season Kickoff Guide
When Does the 2026 Season Start?
The 157th college football season begins with “Week Zero” on Thursday, August 27, before the FBS slate takes center stage on Saturday, August 29 — headlined by North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin, Ireland (noon ET, ESPN) and San Jose State at USC (3 p.m. ET, NBC). Week 1 opens Thursday, September 3, with the first full Saturday on September 5 and the College Football Playoff first round set for December 18-19. The national championship will be played in Las Vegas on Monday, January 25, 2027 — the latest end date in the sport’s history.
For fans, that means six months of Saturdays to plan for: tailgates, road trips, rivalry weeks and one long run toward Vegas. The jersey you show up in is the whole point of the exercise — and this year’s storylines make the picks obvious.
Nike Texas Longhorns #16 Arch Manning Men Stitch Jersey - Orange
The most famous name in college football, now the most complete quarterback in the sport. Texas' #16 in the Longhorns' signature look - stitched tackle-twill graphics built for Saturdays.
The Defending Champs: Indiana’s Impossible Season
A year ago, Indiana — once the losingest program in FBS history — did the unthinkable: a 16-0 season, a Big Ten title, blowout wins over Alabama and Oregon in the playoff, and a 27-21 national championship victory over Miami behind Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Curt Cignetti’s two-year turnaround is now the standard against which every rebuild is measured.
The Hoosiers lost Mendoza to the NFL draft (he went to the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round) along with most of their stars, but they reloaded through the portal with TCU transfer Josh Hoover, who threw for over 3,500 yards last season. Books have Indiana at +750 to repeat — fifth overall, respected but doubted. Exactly where this program loves to sit.
Indiana Hoosiers #15 Fernando Mendoza Men Stitch Jerseys - Crimson
The quarterback who led Indiana to a 16-0 title run and a Heisman Trophy. This crimson stitched edition commemorates the greatest turnaround in college football history.
The Preseason No. 1: Ohio State’s Loaded Roster
The Buckeyes open as betting favorites at +600, and the case is easy to make. Quarterback Julian Sayin returns after a spectacular redshirt freshman season — 12-0 in the regular season, 77 percent completions, 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Tailback Bo Jackson rushed for over 1,400 yards as a sophomore. And then there’s Jeremiah Smith, the most physically dominant wide receiver in college football since Julio Jones: 163 career catches, 2,558 yards, 27 touchdowns, and the early favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Smith is trying to become the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991. He finished sixth in the voting last year. If Ohio State rolls through the Big Ten the way the market expects, he may make history — and his scarlet stitched jersey will be the defining look of the fall.
Men Ohio State Buckeyes #4 Jeremiah Smith Red Nike Stitch Jersey
163 catches, 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in two seasons - and still just a junior. Jeremiah Smith's scarlet stitched jersey is the one Ohio State fans can't keep in stock.
The Heisman Race: Carr vs. Manning & the Big Names
Notre Dame’s CJ Carr is the betting favorite at +700 after throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman — and with the Irish’s top two running backs gone to the NFL, the passing game now runs through him. Right behind is Texas’s Arch Manning at +800, who finished last season on a tear: 16 touchdowns and one turnover over his final five games, plus a 376-yard, four-touchdown Citrus Bowl. Manning is the projected No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 draft and the sport’s biggest name.
Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss (+1200) and Oregon’s Dante Moore (+1000) round out the favorite’s group, but the market’s most intriguing name is Jeremiah Smith at +1200. Four of the five Heisman favorites turned down NFL money to return to school — the last time a preseason favorite actually won was Marcus Mariota in 2014. Buckle up.
Portal Winners & the Transfer Carousel
The transfer portal reshaped the contenders yet again. Texas added Auburn transfer Cam Coleman — the No. 1 receiver in the portal, coming off 93 catches, 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over two seasons — to give Manning the weapon he lacked in 2025. Notre Dame upgraded its receiving corps with Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter. Oregon brought in Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola as the sport’s most decorated backup. And in Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin takes over LSU in the coaching move of the offseason, with Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt under center.
Alabama enters year three under Kalen DeBoer with a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell — and a reinvigorated star in receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (formerly Ryan Williams), who changed his number back to his high school #1 and his name to honor his mother’s side. After a sophomore slump that saw him lead the FBS in drops, the Preseason All-SEC First Team pick is healthy, bigger and back in All-American form.
Games to Circle on the Calendar
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 6 (NBC) gives Marcus Freeman’s Irish a primetime stage in the NFL’s most famous stadium. Clemson at LSU on September 5 is the second “Battle of the Death Valleys” in Baton Rouge with Kiffin debuting. National runner-up Miami opens on the road at Stanford on Friday, September 4 — a huge target on their back after last year’s run. And Georgia, the youngest roster in FBS (average age 19.8), rides quarterback Gunner Stockton — a top-10 Heisman finisher with a 73.7 percent completion rate — into an SEC title defense.
Whatever your school, the playoff math has never been friendlier: 12 teams make the field, and the title game in Las Vegas gives every program in America a realistic path. Buy the jersey early, mark the schedule and enjoy the ride.
How to Choose Your College Jersey: Fan, Stitched, Custom or Throwback
Not sure which jersey fits your fandom? Here’s the short version — four ways to rep your school, from value to full flex:
| Style | Best For | Look & Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Jersey | Everyday wear, first-time buyers | Lightweight mesh, printed graphics, relaxed athletic fit — the value pick. |
| Stitched Jersey | Dedicated fans, collectors | Tackle-twill numbers and nameplates, heavier drape, closer to what players wear. |
| Custom Jersey | Your own name & number | Same premium build with your personal details — the ultimate personal statement. |
| Throwback | Legacy & nostalgia | Classic era colors and retired legends — for fans of the game’s history. |
Conference-by-Conference Quick Guide
Here’s every school in one glance — tap your squad to jump straight to its full jersey collection:
Tailgate Fit & Sizing Guide
College football jerseys run true to US sizing with a classic athletic cut. Pick your normal size for the stadium look, or size up one if you plan to layer over a hoodie on cold November nights. Machine wash cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle and hang dry to keep stitched numbers and nameplates crisp from Week 0 to the bowl games.
More Names to Wear This Fall
The players trending biggest from Week 0 — all in stock now.
Season FAQ
Q: When does the 2026 college football season start?
Week 0 begins Thursday, August 27, with the main FBS slate on Saturday, August 29. Week 1 opens Thursday, September 3, and the College Football Playoff runs from December 18-19 through the national championship in Las Vegas on January 25, 2027.
Q: Who are the Heisman Trophy favorites for 2026?
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and Texas quarterback Arch Manning lead the market, with Oregon's Dante Moore, Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith close behind.
Q: Which jersey style should a college football fan pick?
Stitched jerseys with tackle-twill numbers are the collector favorite and closest to what players wear; fan jerseys are lighter and great for everyday wear; custom jerseys add your own name and number.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
Yes — we ship to North America and Europe, with free delivery on orders over $59 and 30-day easy returns.