
2026 College Football Outlook: Teams Poised to Defy Expectations
The 2026 season is just two months away, and several programs are positioning themselves to exceed preseason projections.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Drew Mestemaker across Football.

The 2026 season is just two months away, and several programs are positioning themselves to exceed preseason projections.

With fresh leadership and promising talent, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Florida and Oklahoma State aim to break through and secure a spot in next year's College Football Playoff.
The 2026 Big 12 season will be shaped by a new generation of offensive playmakers, from Arizona’s Noah Fifita to West Virginia’s Cam Cook, each poised to influence his team’s success.

BYU’s rising star Bear Bachmeier is trading his college field for a counselor’s hat at the Manning Passing Academy, a 30‑year‑old institution that draws thousands of high school athletes each summer.

The 2026 All‑Big 12 Team reflects a forward‑looking view of talent, highlighting projected performance over past accolades and emphasizing the breadth of skill across the league.

Analysts are evaluating how much talent first-year head coaches have assembled for the upcoming 2026 season, with Ole Miss topping the early grades.

Three first‑time Power Four head coaches are poised to reshape their programs in 2026, blending innovative schemes with proven quarterback development.

The 2026 season introduces three first‑time Power Four head coaches whose offensive expertise could reshape their programs' trajectories.

The Cyclones are welcoming fresh talent and major transfers as they prepare for a crucial 2026 campaign, with seven home games on the horizon.

The Houston Cougars will host Oklahoma State on Oct. 17 at TDECU Stadium, a game that could shape their conference title hopes and must be approached with caution before a highly anticipated Utah matchup.

A look at the standout players arriving from Utah State, North Texas, and beyond, and what their additions mean for the Cyclones' upcoming season.

The departure of Brendan Sorsby has reignited debates over the Big 12’s top quarterback for the 2026 season, with Florida transfer DJ Lagway emerging as a focal point for Baylor’s offense.

A growing trend sees coaches and quarterbacks relocate as a unit, reshaping program building and player movement.
Coach Collin Klein’s 2026 schedule pits the Wildcats against a slate of defenses ranked among the nation’s best, each bringing distinct strengths and challenges.

From Ohio State's lofty expectations to Texas' tough slate, Klatt's forecasts reveal the shifting landscape of next season's college football.
Kansas State’s defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson will confront a varied slate of attacks in 2026, from high‑powered aerial assaults to balanced ground games, shaping a pivotal season for the program.

Oklahoma State University football leader Eric Morris and quarterback Drew Mestemaker will meet fans in Lawton on June 17, with ticket options and exclusive experiences outlined.

A wave of top‑rated transfer quarterbacks is linking up with powerhouse college programs, sparking optimism that new dark‑horse Heisman candidates could emerge and lead their teams to national titles while boosting their NFL draft stocks.

Analysts Ian Cummings and Jacob Infante place Dante Moore ahead of Arch Manning for the 2027 draft, citing consistent mechanics and production, while acknowledging Manning's higher ceiling.

The latest transfer debate centers on Trey White’s defensive impact and the offensive chemistry of Drew Mestemaker and Wyatt Young, as host Cam Mellor declares White the premier move.

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.

Despite losing 90% of last season's players, the Cowboys rely on seasoned transfers and a high snap count to contend early under new leadership.

A look at the college football programs that return the most playing time, the key players driving their depth, and how that experience could shape the upcoming season.

Oklahoma State fans have reason to be optimistic as Eric Morris takes the helm, bringing a winning pedigree and a talented roster to revitalize the program.