
Top Contenders for the 2026 Expanded College Football Playoff
An analysis of the programs most likely to break into the 12‑team College Football Playoff in 2026, highlighting recent performances and key storylines.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Kyle Whittingham across Football.

An analysis of the programs most likely to break into the 12‑team College Football Playoff in 2026, highlighting recent performances and key storylines.

In a recent interview, head coach Kyle Whittingham outlined a vision that includes a salary cap, employee status for players, and a break from the NCAA, warning that the current model is unsustainable.

Carter Meadows, a 6‑foot‑6, 225‑pound recruit from Gonzaga High School, pledged to the University of Michigan, joining a deep edge rotation that could see him become a defensive stalwart by 2028.

As the 2026 season looms, a new generation of quarterbacks faces intense scrutiny, from injury comebacks to legacy pressures, shaping the narrative of college football’s next chapter.

The latest Big Ten preseason media poll places the Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 8, while traditional powerhouses such as Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana headline a list of teams wrestling with question marks as the 2026 campaign approaches.

From historic expansions to fresh coaching arrivals, the Big Ten's 2026 schedule offers a blend of rivalry, surprise and strategic importance for every program.

With the 2026 campaign opening against Utah Tech in under 40 days, BYU is shaping its roster around a returning head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and a running back poised to rewrite the program's record books.

After nearly ten years guiding Michigan football’s nutrition program, Abigail O'Connor announced her departure on social media, leaving a legacy of three Big Ten titles and a 2023 national championship.

Abigail O'Connor, who served as Michigan's nutritionist since 2017, revealed her departure on X without explaining her reasons or naming a successor.

Michigan's football program is leveraging new coaching hires and a stronger NIL environment to attract elite West Coast talent, with Lincoln Mageo's recent pledge highlighting a strategic shift that could reshape the roster before the December signing period.

The latest Big Ten preseason media poll ranks the Iowa Hawkeyes eighth, prompting discussion about the conference's title contenders and the challenges each team faces.

Michigan's new head coach Kyle Whittingham opens his tenure against a Western Michigan team that captured the MAC title last season, but faces a formidable Big Ten opponent.

The 2026 Big 12 Media Days concluded with a new Monster Energy partnership and a preseason poll that positions Texas Tech as the team to beat, while Utah looks to challenge the forecasted leaders.

The conference’s recent championship streak, key coaching shifts, and upcoming rule changes set the stage for another compelling season.

The latest Big Ten preseason poll places Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana as the top three, but one commentator argues Indiana should lead, while noting Michigan's tough schedule and UCLA's potential to exceed a 13th‑place projection.

The latest Big Ten media poll places Michigan fifth, potentially missing the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive year. With Ohio State leading the pack and a demanding schedule ahead, the Wolverines must prove they can translate talent into results under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.

A recent USA TODAY media poll forecasts the Michigan Wolverines to finish fifth in the Big Ten for the upcoming season, citing a tough schedule and significant coaching turnover. While the team returns key players such as quarterback Bryce Underwood and standout defenders, analysts do not expect an elite campaign.
Predictions place Michigan near the middle of the conference, with a demanding slate of games and only one veteran coach remaining, while key recruits like Bryce Underwood add intrigue.

New wide receiver coaches Micah Simon and Marques Hagans are set to inject toughness into Michigan’s offense, a shift that aligns with quarterback Bryce Underwood’s development and head coach Jason Beck’s vision as the team prepares for fall camp.

Despite a top‑10 ranking for the 2027 class, Michigan must fill three critical spots: an extra wide receiver, a true nose tackle, and depth at safety. The upcoming signings will shape the team's immediate competitiveness in the Big Ten.

The annual Cleveland.com poll places Ohio State at the top of the Big Ten, but past predictions have been spotty, leaving Michigan’s campaign dependent on its early test against Oklahoma.

A look at the Wolverines' 2027 recruiting targets, from missing wide receivers to a need for a true nose tackle and a revamped secondary.

The latest Big Ten preseason poll highlights a tight race among Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana, with key players and coaching changes shaping expectations across the conference.

The 2026 Big Ten preseason poll places Michigan fifth, while Ohio State leads the pack. New head coach Kyle Whittingham inherits a roster with eight offensive starters and a defense in transition, setting the stage for a competitive season.