FAVORITE TEAMS

Sacramento State and North Dakota State are Where!!!???

North Dakota State’s move up was a long time coming. They will showcase in the Group of 6 to see if they’re the powerhouse that Boise State usually is. But in the Mountain West!!!??? They are geographically close enough to where the Mountain West landscape is with Wyoming. Maybe add in Montana State and it’s plausible since they’re a Big Sky team. Now put Sacramento State and the MAC together, and the math’s not mathing. They will have plenty of frequent flyer miles after 2026 but come on man! For a team that shelled out over $20 million to move to the FBS along with a long ass travel plan is a bit much. As a MACtion fan, I’ll look forward to them playing now that it has expanded to the West coast.

The Pac-12 Returns as the “New” Pac-12

You heard it right. The Pac-12 officially returns…under new management. We all wanted Boise State in that conference for what must’ve been forever. However, no UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Colorado, Utah, or Cal, which leaves some of us bummed out. It’s not all bad because along with Boise are Fresno State and San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, and Texas State joining the Pac-12 holdovers Wazzu and Oregon State to restore it. With most of them having their own conference title and big bowl success with some offensive firepower and defensive grit, this could be one of the most entertaining non-Power 4 conferences to watch this season. Welcome back, Pac-12 “After Dark!”

Group of 6 Teams Vying For a CFP

The obvious is Boise State with the most balanced returns on their roster. Western Michigan could have a say because they retained the most players from leaving for the portal. James Madison’s found a way to sustain consistency since joining the FBS. Liberty could return to form after coach Jamey Chadwell’s return from surgery after having health issues. San Diego State and Fresno State could have a say if they have better offensive production. We can’t forget the American conference that has Navy, USF, Tulane, Army, etc. What about Washington State? They have improved on their competition after getting blown out by North Texas last season. And then there’s North Dakota State, who has won FCS championships for decades and could show them all up if their roster’s built for the FBS.

The Big Hot Seaters Must Win

We all love the great smell of grilled food, right? Hot dogs. Chicken. Burgers. Ribs. Steak. Gator and snake maybe? Vegetables are ok too. We all love us some grilled food. What we also low-key enjoy? Some grilled coaches when they stink at coaching their programs for various reasons. Amongst those coaches that might get grilled are Mike Norvell (FSU), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), Bill Belichick (UNC), Mike Locksley (Maryland), Dave Aranda (Baylor), Shane Beamer (South Carolina), Lincoln Riley (USC), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), and Dabo Swinney (Clemson). I will say I’m a bit impatient with my alma mater Nevada coach Jeff Choate and want to add him to the menu. They all must find a way to win, make a bowl game, or have an answer to make the CFP. If they falter, it’s all over before or after the season.

Leaders of the SEC in 2026

Skepticism lives in the Southeastern conference for the entire season. We’re all aware of Texas and Georgia as potential SEC title contenders. LSU and Ole Miss follow suit because of Lane Kiffin, Trinidad Chambliss, and Kewan Lacy. Alabama’s currently on the hook for missing out on National titles for what seems like an eternity. Texas A&M’s kinda fringing as a playoff team with more of a high floor than a ceiling. Oklahoma has a championship defense, but can their offense find that Big 12 mojo that made them successful? Any team in the SEC (except maybe a couple) could compete for the postseason, but every team also has a glaring weakness. The NIL and transfer portal may also be the reason why the CFB field is becoming more balanced to where teams like Vanderbilt can compete for the SEC title. Right now, the first two I mentioned are potential contenders, but I have a feeling that someone in Crimson and Cream could have a say, and it’s not f***ing Alabama. Boomer Sooner!!!

Texas Tech’s Problems are the Rest of the Big 12’s Gains

Texas Tech is still the likely favorite, but their stock dipped after Brendan Sorsby’s gambling scandal got him canned from college football. While they try finding answers in one important position, the door’s open for the rest of the conference. Teams like BYU, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Kansas State, TCU, and even Oklahoma State have a shot at stealing Tech’s opportunity for a Big 12 title and CFP spot. If Tech doesn’t have an answer at quarterback and Will Hammond’s not 100% to perform like he did last year, we could have another new Big 12 champion in a post-Texas and Oklahoma era.

It’s Miami vs. the ACC Field

As of right now, it’s all about Miami. However, they could be a bit vulnerable. Both lines for the Canes are going through new players despite adding a couple of transfers and adding in a top freshman offensive tackle. If Miami somehow reverts back to the team that can’t get it done in the ACC (again), there are hopefuls out there that will. The fact that Duke and Virginia played in the ACC title game over CFP bound Miami is baffling. SMU and Louisville could be hot on their trail. Maybe Florida State and Clemson find an answer while being on the hot seat. The ACC is like the Big 12 when it comes to parity until Miami finally proves they can dominate the ACC.

Notre Dame Should Make the Postseason

Unless the committee or God himself says the Irish doesn’t deserve another CFP appearance until they join a conference, they’re likely in the CFP. In Marcus Freeman’s coaching history in the first two weeks of the season, the Irish have lost in either one or both games including to teams like Marshall (2022) and Northern Illinois (2024) at home. They have Wisconsin at Lambeau and host Rice. The first game’s tricky but must be a win while they CANNOT lose to Rice at all costs. If they survive that, there’s BYU, Navy, Miami, and SMU in the next 5 weeks closing out the season. If the Irish doesn’t lose more than one game, they’re for sure in. Two losses, well…

Oregon and Ohio State Lead the Big Ten

Both of the Big Ten and college football powers in Ohio State and Oregon lead as favorites for the Big Ten championship and national championship. Oregon returns the majority of their players including their entire defensive line while Ohio State has probably the best offense in the nation along with a strong defense led by Matt Patricia. Both also clash in the first week of November, making the Big Ten race much more interesting. Indiana, USC, Washington, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Penn State could threaten them both if their pieces are in place. Until we know who could overtake the Ducks and Buckeyes, the Big Ten championship may have already been predetermined. Can they finally see each other there though?

We Could Have a Third Straight Newcomer in the CFP

In the last two seasons, we’ve had new teams that never made the postseason and/or BCS National Championship until the 12-team playoffs began. We even had two Group of 6 teams make the postseason. So, who’s next? It could be BYU, Utah, Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma State, or Kansas State. It could be Louisville, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest or Virginia Tech. How about Missouri, or Vanderbilt? Do we get to see Navy or USF arrive? How about a MAC team or Liberty? Someone out of nowhere will get in. Thanks to the transfer portal and NIL, it gave plenty of teams opportunities to shape their roster and take advantage of their schedule.