The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and with it comes a flurry of broadcast announcements that will reshape how fans experience the sport on television.
CBS Expands Its Analyst Roster
CBS Sports confirmed the addition of two high‑profile analysts: college‑football coach Brian Kelly and former NFL quarterback Doug Pederson. Both will contribute across the network’s properties, with Kelly slated to appear as a studio analyst on the Tuesday edition of "Inside College Football" and to lend his insights to CBS Sports HQ, while Pederson will call a curated slate of games on CBS Sports Network.
The network emphasized that Kelly’s analytical perspective will complement existing commentary, while Pederson’s playing experience will add depth to the network’s game‑day coverage.
The CW Announces Its 2026 Broadcast Teams
For the ACC, veteran broadcaster Thom Brennaman will lead the play‑by‑play commentary, teamed with analyst Jason Cabinda and sideline reporter Wes Bryant. Their collaboration aims to bring a fresh yet seasoned voice to the conference’s marquee matchups.
The Mountain West’s broadcast crew will feature Jack McMullen as the play‑by‑play announcer, with former quarterback Cody Kessler providing booth analysis and Marshall Newhouse handling sideline duties.
Pac‑12 games on The CW will be anchored by play‑by‑play announcer Rick Allen, alongside booth analyst Will Blackmon and sideline analyst Michael Bumpus, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the conference’s schedule.
In addition, a group of play‑by‑play voices — including Chris Fisher, Isaiah Stanback and Bryan Walters — will join CW Sports to call select Mountain West and Pac‑12 contests, expanding the network’s commentary pool.
Studio Show and Season Kickoff
Studio host Mike Yam returns to CW Sports alongside lead analyst George Wrighster for the "CW College Football Countdown" preview program, setting the stage for the upcoming season.
The season officially begins on Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 p.m. Pacific, a prime‑time slot that underscores the network’s commitment to high‑visibility scheduling.
ESPN’s Talent Moves
ESPN announced the termination of its contract with analyst Ryan Clark, while simultaneously extending its agreement with Tim Tebow, who will continue to serve as a college‑football analyst on both the SEC Network and the main ESPN platform.