
Preseason AP Top 25 Forecast: A Letter‑Grade Retrospective
An analysis of the author’s preseason AP Top 25 ballot, grading each team’s final placement against its prediction, highlights both spot‑on forecasts and notable missteps.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Brian Kelly across Football, Basketball.

An analysis of the author’s preseason AP Top 25 ballot, grading each team’s final placement against its prediction, highlights both spot‑on forecasts and notable missteps.

After a stagnant 2025 rushing attack, LSU is banking on a wave of transfers and returning talent to rebuild a potent ground game for the upcoming season.
From offensive line anchors to dynamic receivers, a new generation of true freshmen is entering the 2026 season with the talent and hype to redefine expectations at top programs.

When Joel Klatt released his preseason rankings, LSU appeared at No. 8, reflecting both optimism and uncertainty about a program undergoing a massive transformation under new head coach Lane Kiffin.
Coach Lane Kiffin has assembled a nine‑player wide receiver group from the transfer portal to replace the talent lost after Brian Kelly’s departure, highlighting early fall camp performances and the unit’s potential impact.
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly, now a CBS Sports analyst, predicts a 10‑2 record for the 2026 Tigers, a season that could land them in the College Football Playoff.
Lane Kiffin has assembled a nine‑player receiver group from the transfer portal to rebuild LSU's depleted position after Brian Kelly's departure, sparking early optimism and heightened practice competition.

Brian Kelly predicts a 10‑2 record for LSU in 2026, highlighting a win over Tennessee and two expected defeats.

ESPN analyst Bill Connelly highlights five pivotal SEC games in 2026 that may determine whether the conference can reclaim its dominance after three straight Big Ten playoff titles.

Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney confronts a pivotal year after a 7‑6 record, with quarterback battles, staff changes and a looming buyout decision shaping the Tigers’ outlook.

Ohio State tops the AFCA preseason poll with 38 first‑place votes, while the Big Ten and SEC fill most of the top 25, and several high‑profile coaching changes loom over the upcoming season.

Ohio State opens the 2026 college football season as the No.1 team in the AFCA coaches poll, receiving 38 of 72 first‑place votes. The poll also showcases a strong Big Ten presence and early shifts after surprising losses by top programs.

The latest AFCA preseason poll highlights Ohio State’s return to No. 1, a deep Big Ten presence, and notable movements among traditional powerhouses, including Penn State’s drop and Clemson’s lowest ranking since 2011.
With Week 0 games set for late August and the US LBM Coaches Poll set to be released on Aug. 4, LSU is preparing for a transformative season under new head coach Lane Kiffin.
The 2026 college football season begins with Week 0 games on Aug. 29, featuring North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin, while the US LBM Coaches Poll will be released on Aug. 4. LSU, under new head coach Lane Kiffin, hopes to break into the preseason rankings after a 7‑6 2025 season and a major roster overhaul.

Indiana University has called off its scheduled home‑and‑home series with Notre Dame for the 2030‑31 seasons, a move driven by Notre Dame's new rivalry with USC and a strategic pivot by coach Curt Cignetti.
The recent upheaval in college football reveals deep‑rooted governance issues, financial excesses and leadership missteps that eclipse on‑field performance.

Easton Royal, a five‑star wide receiver from Louisiana, has flipped his commitment from the Texas Longhorns to LSU, a move that underscores the Tigers’ aggressive recruiting strategy under Lane Kiffin and highlights the growing influence of NIL financing in college football.

Brian Kelly predicts the Texas Longhorns will capture the 2026 national championship, citing head coach Steve Sarkisian's offensive mastery and quarterback Arch Manning's anticipated impact.
LSU’s aggressive offseason moves aim to translate preseason optimism into a College Football Playoff berth, but the Tigers must navigate the toughest slate of games in the nation.

At a Baton Rouge Rotary Club gathering, Lane Kiffin mixed humor about his former schools with candid thoughts on the transfer portal, NIL compensation, AI in player evaluation and the SEC’s shift to a nine‑game slate, ending on an optimistic note for LSU’s upcoming season.

Recent developments in college athletics reveal shifting sponsorship landscapes, financial overhauls, and societal debates playing out on and off the field.

The opening week of SEC football mixes modest openers with marquee contests, from Missouri’s game against Arkansas‑Pine Bluff to LSU’s highly anticipated clash with Clemson under new head coach Lane Kiffin.

The launch of College Football 27 sparked a player revolt over microtransactions, forcing EA Sports to pull the paid features within a day. The incident highlights wider financial pressures in college athletics, from billion‑dollar broadcast deals to eligibility rule changes.