The 2026 college football season kicks off Saturday, September 6, with a matchup between the No. 9-ranked Ole Miss Rebels and the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
This marks the second meeting between the two programs. Ole Miss won the previous encounter 43-24 in September 2021. Oddsmakers currently favor Ole Miss, listing them as 6.5-point favorites.
"Both offenses are automatic once they get inside the 20, so when either team sustains drive, that’s points," according to ESPN analysis cited in the New York Post. The report also noted that Louisville scored on 90% of its red zone trips last season, with Ole Miss close behind at 86%.
For fans without cable, the game can be streamed for free via a five-day trial of DIRECTV's streaming service. The Choice plan, which includes ABC, offers over 125 channels and is recommended for viewing the season opener.