Here are the American Conference games with greatest CFP stakes in 2026

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The College Football Playoff quietly changed its selection rules for the third consecutive season.

Under the previous format, the five highest-ranked conference champions secured berths, regardless of conference. In 2025, those champions were Indiana (Big Ten), Georgia (SEC), Texas Tech (Big 12), Tulane (American), and James Madison (Sun Belt).

Now, the conference champions of the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC are guaranteed berths. The highest-ranked team — not necessarily a conference champion — from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt will also be granted a bid. This current arrangement would have prevented James Madison from qualifying in 2025.

The road to the CFP is now tougher for the American. Finishing among the five highest-ranked conference champions is no longer enough. Unless it secures an at-large bid, the American must produce a team ranked higher than the top team in the CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt.

So how does the American secure back-to-back CFP bids for the first time in league history? Here are the key games to monitor throughout the 2026 season:

Week 0

Saturday, Aug. 29: Memphis @ UNLV

This is arguably as significant of a game for the American all season. One, it’s in Week 0 and college football starved fans are certain to tune in. Two, it’s a standalone game showcased on FOX, and there will be millions of eyeballs on this clash at Allegiant Stadium. Three, this is the perfect opportunity for an American contender to establish superiority over a Mountain West contender.

Considering the American and Mountain West are effectively competing for a shared playoff berth now, it is imperative for Memphis to establish superiority over the MWC’s frontrunner from the get-go. The Rebels enjoy significantly more continuity, returning six starters including star running back Jai’den Thomas. Meanwhile, Memphis is debuting a new head coach in Charles Huff with a completely refurbished roster. The Tigers open as touchdown underdogs against the reigning Mountain West runner-up, but a victory in Vegas would do wonders for the American’s CFP prospects.

Week 1

Saturday, Sept. 5: Tulane @ Duke

This specific matchup played a massive role in the American securing a CFP bid in 2025. Had Duke defeated Tulane in New Orleans, the Blue Devils likely would have secured a spot in the 12-team field over the Green Wave. After falling 34-27 at Tulane last September, Duke went on won the ACC, but the Blue Devils were gutted of their stars in the offseason, losing Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate to the transfer portal and Brian Parker II and Chandler Rivers to the NFL Draft. Tulane similarly experienced massive roster turnover, losing head coach Jon Sumrall to Florida and nine of its 12 all-conference selections.

This time, the home-and-home series shifts to Durham, where head coach Will Hall and Tulane will attempt to knock off the reigning ACC champs. Once again, this could be a statement non-conference victory for the American, and non-conference success is essential to securing a CFP bid.

Also watch: Florida Atlantic @ Florida on Sept. 5

Week 2

Saturday, Sept. 12: Memphis @ Boise State

The American’s supremacy over the Mountain West and Pac-12 largely rests on Memphis. Not only do the Tigers open the season against the Mountain West favorite, but two weeks later, they travel to the blue turf to face perennial power and Pac-12 favorite Boise State.

Memphis won the first leg of the home-and-home in 2023, but replicating the result in Boise won’t be easy. The Broncos return 13 starters including quarterback Maddux Madsen, a capable running back duo, and star edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan — significantly contrasting to a Memphis team returning minimal production. But if Charles Huff can guide his Tigers to a road victory over a three-time defending conference champion, the American can win plenty of arguments against the Pac-12 when CFP rankings are discussed and debated.

Also notable: the American gets another shot at Mountain West favorite UNLV this week, as North Texas plays host to the Rebels.

Also watch: UNLV @ North Texas on Sept. 12

Week 3

Saturday, Sept. 19: North Texas @ Texas State

Tulane defeating Kansas State in Week 3 could be a signature non-conference victory which catapults the American into favorable position for another CFP appearance. But an equally important matchup this week involves establishing further superiority over the Pac-12. One week prior, Texas State will have hosted UTSA in the I-35 Rivalry — a marquee matchup carrying potential playoff implications for both conferences.

Then in Week 3, a heavily restructured team North Texas also gets a shot at the Bobcats. Texas State underperformed in 2025 after losing a series of heartbreakers, but the Bobcats remain a capable Pac-12 contender led by a dynamic offense featuring quarterback Brad Jackson and 1,000-yard wide receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. If Neal Brown and the Mean Green take care of business in San Marcos, the American will have another valuable piece of evidence in its favor when compared to the Pac-12.

Also watch: Tulane @ Kansas State on Sept. 19

Week 4

Friday, Sept. 25: Army @ Temple

Week 4 lacks a true marquee matchup in the American, but may I interest you in a 4 p.m. ET Friday afternoon kickoff on ESPN? Army is one of many contenders for the 2026 conference title, and the Black Knights weren’t too far off during last year’s 7-6 campaign. Five of their six defeats came by one-score, and all five were winnable in the final minute of regulation. With quarterback Cale Hellums entering his second season as a starter and eight offensive starters returning, Jeff Monken’s team has the tools to be a dark-horse playoff contender.

Army will be tested by a veteran Temple team in Philadelphia. The Owls were improved dramatically during K.C. Keeler’s debut season, and they did not lose a single starter to the transfer portal this offseason. Army only has five road trips all year, and this might be the program’s second-toughest road game behind Memphis.

Also watch: Colorado State @ UTSA on Sept. 26

Week 5

Saturday, Oct. 3: Navy @ Air Force

Service academy matchups are often close, low-scoring affairs. And when they meet, it always feels like you can throw the records out the window. For instance, 11-2 Navy barely survived 4-8 Air Force last October in Annapolis, escaping thanks to a fumble recovery in the final minutes. This year, the matchup flips to Colorado Springs, where the Falcons are expected to make strides with dynamic quarterback Liam Szarka returning to the lineup.

This is another opportunity for the American to claim a victory over the Mountain West. Also, Navy is currently the oddsmakers’ favorite to win the American, making its non-conference matchups particularly important to the league’s CFP prospects.

Also watch: Temple @ South Florida on Oct. 3

Week 6

Thursday, Oct. 8: South Florida @ UTSA

This should be an electrifying matchup: Thursday night at the Alamodome between what should be two of the most explosive offenses in the American. The Alamodome is also the ultimate trap game environment. League contenders Tulane and East Carolina were annihilated by the Roadrunners in that building last season, and UTSA owns a 25-1 conference record at home under head coach Jeff Traylor.

South Florida and UTSA are both American Championship hopefuls, despite neither program having participated in the title game before. Securing this Thursday night victory in San Antonio could prove vital in that chase to the championship.

Also watch: Tulane @ Army on Oct. 10

Week 7

Friday, Oct. 16: Memphis @ Tulane

This is always a signature matchup given the consistency of both programs. Memphis has finished .500 or better every season since 2014, and although the Tigers haven’t claimed a conference championship since 2019, they’re a fixture in the rankings and regularly in the contenders’ circle. Meanwhile, Tulane is riding a streak of four-consecutive American Championship Game appearances.

Both programs bring new head coaches to the table in Charles Huff and Will Hall, but both have survived coaching turnover during sustained runs of success. This matchup routinely impacts the American title race. In 2025, Tulane knocked Memphis out of pole position for the CFP. In 2024 on Thanksgiving Night, Memphis eliminated Tulane from the CFP race. The road team has won three-straight meetings in the budding rivalry.

Also watch: Navy @ UTSA on Oct. 17

Week 8

Saturday, Oct. 24: UTSA @ Tulane

Tulane survived a 22-point jackhammering at UTSA last October during its run to the College Football Playoff, thanks to other quality wins over Duke, Northwestern, and East Carolina, to name a few. At the time, however, that Thursday night showdown seemingly eliminated the Green Wave from playoff contention.

This year, Tulane hosts UTSA at Yulman Stadium. The Green Wave enter with a potent defense led by returning starters Chris Rodgers and Jack Tchienchou, while the Roadrunners counter with a veteran offense guided by quarterback Owen McCown, running back Will Henderson III, and wide receiver David Amador. UTSA is 2-10 on the road since 2024 but could generate a statement victory in New Orleans that would impress the CFP committee.

Also watch: East Carolina @ Memphis on Oct. 22

Week 9

Saturday, Oct. 31: Army @ Memphis

Army and Memphis are among the American’s contenders despite having completely different team constructions. The Black Knights are the model of continuity, while the Tigers are a perfect example of a reconstructed roster in the transfer portal era. This is the programs’ first meeting as American opponents. The last time they played was 2002.

While this game carries significant conference championship stakes, there’s also a notable non-conference matchup to monitor on Halloween: Navy vs. Notre Dame in Foxborough, MA. The Fighting Irish are responsible for two of the Midshipmen’s five losses over the past two seasons, and neither game was particularly close. If Navy can show more fight in this year’s neutral-site clash at Gillette Stadium — and perhaps pull off the upset — it could be the result which ultimately locks up an American CFP bid.

Also watch: Notre Dame vs. Navy (Foxborough, MA) on Oct. 31

Week 10

Friday, Nov. 6: South Florida @ East Carolina

November commences with an intriguing matchup between South Florida and East Carolina — two programs that struggled during the final years of the 2010s and early 2020s but have found their footing lately. Both are fresh off 9-4 finishes, marking USF’s best finish since 2017 and ECU’s best since 2014.

Neither the Bulls nor Pirates have qualified for the American title game before. This could be an elimination game for one of the long-starved title hopefuls. Blake Harrell is 14-5 overall as ECU’s head coach and 7-2 in November, and he’ll look to defend Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium against a rising Bulls team led by first-year head coach Brian Hartline.

Also watch: UTSA @ Florida Atlantic on Nov. 6

Week 11

Thursday, Nov. 12: Memphis @ South Florida

This matchup significantly impacted the American title race — and thus, the CFP race — in 2025. When the programs collided in late October, South Florida was ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll and sporting a spotless conference record. The Bulls led by 14 entering the fourth quarter, but Memphis went scorched earth in the final 15 minutes, rallying with a 17-0 run to capture a 34-31 victory.

South Florida suffered its second conference defeat three weeks later against Navy. But if the Bulls sustained their 14-point fourth quarter lead in Memphis, they would have won the tiebreaker over North Texas and earned a spot in the American Championship, with the CFP in play. Perhaps this game will carry similarly lofty stakes in 2026.

Also watch: North Texas @ UTSA on Nov. 14

Week 12

Saturday, Nov. 21: Memphis @ Navy

In hindsight, this matchup came with CFP stakes in 2024. Memphis finished 11-2 that season but didn’t qualify for the American Championship Game after a 56-44 shootout loss at Navy in Week 4. Had the Tigers emerged victorious in that contest, they would have qualified for the conference title game with a chance to finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.

Navy rides a two-game win streak in this series after upending Memphis on Thanksgiving last year. Now the series shifts to Annapolis, where the Midshipmen are 10-1 in the past two seasons. At this point in November, either team could reasonably clinch the conference championship with a Week 12 victory.

Also watch: North Texas @ Tulane on Nov. 21

Week 13

Friday, Nov. 27 or Saturday, Nov. 28: Tulane @ South Florida

The American will eventually determine a specific date for this matchup between the Green Wave and Bulls. Showcasing this game on national television could be a priority for the league, considering there is a decent likelihood either team could be in position to lock up an American Championship Game bid in Tampa.

If Tulane succeeds in Will Hall’s first season, a fifth-straight conference title game appearance could be in play. If South Florida succeeds in year one under Brian Hartline, the program’s 11-year American Championship Game drought could finally subside.

Also watch: Florida Atlantic @ East Carolina on Nov. 27

Week 14

Saturday, Dec. 5: American Conference Championship Game

This one is self-explanatory. During the 4-team playoff era, the American Championship Game was almost synonymous with New Year’s Six stakes. The American champion earned a NY6 bowl bid in seven of 10 possible years, missing only in 2014, 2016, and 2023. Last season, the conference championship was essentially a CFP play-in game, as Tulane and North Texas were guaranteed bids with a victory in New Orleans.

But for this game to have CFP stakes, the American must do enough work in non-conference play. The league needs enough quality victories in September to demonstrate that its champion belongs above the champions of the Mountain Wset, Pac-12, and other conferences competing for the same playoff bid.

If the American can win the Week 0 through Week 4 contests highlighted above, then the conference can secure back-to-back CFP appearances for the first time in history.

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