The Coaching Carousel in the Sunshine State
The 2026 college football season is already being dissected as a crucible of possibility, with analysts outlining six scenarios that could reshape the national narrative.
At Florida State, coach Mike Norvell faces a make-or-break preseason slate that many believe could trigger the first coaching dismissal of the cycle if the Seminoles fail to gain traction.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten appears poised to extend its recent stranglehold on the championship, with Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana emerging as the leading contenders to capture a fourth consecutive national title.
In the SEC, Georgia’s returning starters and a comparatively lighter schedule position the Bulldogs to be the last SEC representative standing in the playoff, reinforcing the conference’s resurgence.
A Heisman‑worthy quarterback is also expected to emerge from the Big Ten, with several standout signal‑callers — such as Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin and Dante Moore — drawing early Heisman buzz.
Perhaps the most surprising projection is the likelihood that no team will enter the playoff undefeated, as the SEC’s ninth conference game and the Big Ten’s crowded top tier compress the path to perfection, while a 9‑3 team with three losses could still earn a coveted spot, a scenario the selection committee has never before approved.