
Phil Steele Predicts Auburn’s 2026 Breakout Season
Phil Steele’s latest SEC projections place Auburn at No. 9, citing the arrival of former South Florida standouts and a revamped coaching staff.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Byrum Brown across Football, Basketball.

Phil Steele’s latest SEC projections place Auburn at No. 9, citing the arrival of former South Florida standouts and a revamped coaching staff.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy ranks Auburn’s linebacking corps third nationally, highlighting standout performers, recruiting gains and the defensive scheme that keeps the team competitive.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy places Auburn’s linebackers at No. 3 nationally, citing standout performers like Xavier Atkins, emerging recruits and a coaching scheme that keeps the defense competitive despite offensive woes.

Byrum Brown, a dual‑threat quarterback recognized by Athlon Sports, has moved from USF to Auburn, bringing his leadership and offensive firepower to the SEC.

A look at the top signal‑callers in the SEC, from Texas’ Arch Manning to emerging talents across the conference, and what their performances could mean for the upcoming college football landscape.

Auburn’s newest head coach has vaulted into the national rankings and is already reshaping the team’s roster and strategy.

The 2026 schedule for Auburn University reveals a mix of historic rivalries, new head‑coach debuts and a reshaped SEC format, with the Florida game emerging as the centerpiece.

Former CBS analyst Josh Pate places Byrum Brown as the second‑best new SEC quarterback for 2026, citing his proven track record and Auburn’s supportive environment.

From Oregon's Dante Moore opting for college over the NFL draft to Texas' Arch Manning leading a potent Texas offense, the 2026 quarterback class brims with talent, transfers, and storylines that could define the next era of college football.

College football analyst J.D. PicKell forecasts an unbeaten start for Auburn, citing experienced talent, defensive matchups and a manageable opening slate.
The SEC enters the 2025 season with a stacked slate of teams, from Georgia’s No. 2 preseason spot to Auburn’s sleeper potential, while quarterback eligibility battles loom large.
A near‑capacity crowd of 88,000 watched Lionel Messi score a penalty as Argentina routed Iceland in a rain‑delayed friendly that blended global football fervor with campus customs.

Analyst Paul Finebaum predicts that the Florida Gators will experience the most significant improvement among SEC teams next season, citing momentum, coaching changes and a challenging schedule.

The Tigers rank ninth in national experience and eighth in offensive snaps, with key seniors and a veteran coaching staff poised to influence the upcoming campaign.

A look at the top eight first‑year quarterbacks in the SEC, their backgrounds, and the battles that could shape the upcoming season.

CJ Cypher, a highly rated high school quarterback from Carrollton, GA, has trimmed his list to ten schools, including five SEC programs and notable national contenders. His decision will have major implications for the upcoming college football landscape.

Virginia Tech's quarterback competition has a clear frontrunner in Ethan Grunkemeyer, whose collegiate background and personal connections could reshape the team's attack.
Coach Josh Heupel is already turning his attention to the 2026 slate, even though the Volunteers have yet to name a starter under center. Among the most scrutinized opponents is Georgia Tech’s Alberto Mendoza, who enters his first season as a starter after serving as the backup to his Heisman‑winning brother. He will be charged with running a fresh offensive scheme in Atlanta. Texas brings a fresh storyline with Arch Manning slated for his first road test in Knoxville, a game that will pit the heir to a football dynasty against a Volunteers defense that remains a work in progress. Auburn’s Byrum Brown adds a dual‑threat dimension, having posted over 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards last season, a combination that could test Tennessee’s secondary. Alabama’s quarterback situation remains unsettled, with junior Austin Mack and former five‑star recruit Keelon Russell battling for the snap. The Crimson Tide will visit Neyland on October 17, a date that could shape the early narrative of the SEC season. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, once a top prospect for the No. 1 overall draft pick, struggled to find his footing in 2025, making his performance a potential turning point for the Gamecocks. LSU’s Sam Leavitt could instantly transform the Tigers into a playoff contender, a prospect that adds another layer of intrigue to the Volunteers’ schedule. Beyond the traditional powers, Tennessee will also face home‑grown talent in the portal: Kentucky’s acquisition of Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey, a Hendersonville native, and Texas A&M’s return of Nashville native Marcel Reed. Vanderbilt may even start five‑star freshman Jared Curtis, a Nashville Christian star, further deepening the local storylines. All of these quarterbacks bring distinct challenges, and Heupel’s early preparation reflects a desire to stay ahead of the curve as the Volunteers aim to translate their momentum into another strong season.

A look at how the SEC's push for independence, the Big Ten's emerging contenders, and pending federal legislation could reshape the sport's power structure.
The Crimson Tide’s quarterback room for 2026 features two inexperienced signal callers, but the program’s focus on development rather than immediate results could reshape the SEC landscape.

Auburn’s new quarterback Byrum Brown appears at No. 17 on The Sporting News’ top 25 college football quarterbacks for the 2026 season, a testament to his dual‑threat prowess and the Tigers’ bolstered arsenal.
Tennessee’s defense faces a critical test as star edge rusher Chaz Coleman, a Penn State transfer, remains absent from practice amid mental‑health strain and scrutiny over his $2 million name‑image‑likeness deal.

The 2026 season will be defined by a wave of talent moving through the transfer portal, with standout players projected to transform their new programs and influence the national picture.

Alabama's backup quarterback Austin Mack has been highlighted by ESPN analyst Jordan Reid as a draft‑eligible prospect to watch for the 2027 NFL Draft, positioning him for a breakout season.