As we gear up for the 2026 college football season, a handful of teams are grabbing headlines. Coaching shakeups, player transfers, and sky-high expectations are all in the mix.
From Lane Kiffin’s eyebrow-raising move to LSU to Indiana’s wild quest to defend their unbeaten title run, it’s shaping up to be a wild ride. Let’s take a look at the most intriguing teams this season and what makes them worth your time.
Lane Kiffin and LSU: A Union Under the Microscope
The Bayou Bengals are under a glaring spotlight this fall thanks to Lane Kiffin’s arrival. Kiffin, never one to avoid drama, left Ole Miss just before the College Football Playoff and landed at LSU with plenty of fanfare.
He brought in a loaded transfer class, too. Quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, tackle Jordan Seaton out of Colorado, and edge-rusher Princewill Umanmielen headline the list.
High Stakes and High Expectations
Nick Saban reportedly told Kiffin that LSU is the best job in the country. Now, Kiffin’s the second-highest-paid coach in college football, and the pressure is off the charts.
LSU just had its worst season since 2021. The fanbase expects championships, and frankly, anything less is going to sting. An early matchup against Ole Miss on September 19? That’s going to tell us a lot about how this Kiffin era starts.
Indiana’s Quest for Back-to-Back Championships
Indiana’s 2025 campaign was unreal. They went from the losingest program in college football history to undefeated national champs under Curt Cignetti.
Now, as 2026 rolls in, the Hoosiers are fighting to keep their spot at the top—even after losing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza to the NFL.
Reloading with Talent
Indiana’s reloading, not rebuilding. They snagged quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU, receiver Nick Marsh from Michigan State, and edge-rusher Tobi Osunsanmi out of Kansas State in the portal.
The schedule’s tougher this year. Four teams on their slate are ranked in Athlon’s way-too-early top 25, including a rematch with Ohio State. That’ll be a test, no doubt.
Ole Miss: The Pete Golding Era Begins
Pete Golding wasted no time making noise at Ole Miss. He led the Rebels to a pair of playoff wins after Kiffin’s exit.
The Rebels grabbed the nation’s No. 2 portal class, and if quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returns, they could be in for another big season.
Challenges and Opportunities
It’s not an easy road for Ole Miss. They open against Louisville, and that LSU matchup is circled on everyone’s calendar.
Chambliss’s eligibility is still up in the air, but if he’s back, he’s an instant Heisman contender. The defense is revamped, and keeping key guys like running back Kewan Lacy will be crucial.
Clemson’s Rebuilding Year
Clemson is coming off a rough 7-6 season, and Dabo Swinney is hoping for a turnaround. The Tigers hit the portal hard, adding nine newcomers to shore up some glaring holes.
With Chad Morris returning as offensive coordinator, there’s some hope that Clemson can get back to its old self.
A Quick Turnaround?
The ACC isn’t exactly stacked with championship threats. That could help Clemson bounce back faster than folks might expect.
Week 1 against LSU is a massive test. Clemson might even start the season unranked for the first time since 2011—talk about motivation.
Virginia Tech’s New Dawn with James Franklin
James Franklin is the new guy in Blacksburg, stepping in to revive a program that’s been down for a while. He brought a dozen players from Penn State, including quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer.
Franklin’s hoping to make some noise right away. A softer early schedule and more support from the university could help the Hokies gain ground in the ACC.
Building a Strong Foundation
Virginia Tech hasn’t been ranked since 2021, but Franklin’s arrival changes the outlook. The ceiling feels a lot higher than it did a year ago.
Oklahoma State’s Rebuild with Eric Morris
Oklahoma State is hitting the reset button under new coach Eric Morris. He’s brought over a good chunk of his North Texas roster, and the Cowboys’ 54-player portal haul is the biggest in the FBS.
Seventeen of those players are from Morris’s old team, so there’s a built-in chemistry most new coaches don’t get.
Challenges Ahead
The schedule’s brutal—Oregon, Texas Tech, and Houston are all on the docket. Morris has his hands full, but the continuity with so many familiar faces could pay off.
Vanderbilt’s Post-Pavia Era
Vanderbilt is turning the page after Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia moved on. Coach Clark Lea has laid a solid foundation, and now five-star quarterback Jared Curtis is on board.
The Commodores are chasing their third straight winning season, which hasn’t happened since the 1950s. That’s not nothing.
Maintaining Momentum
The schedule isn’t as rough as it could be, and the recruiting class is strong. Lea’s choice to stick around, plus landing a talent like Curtis, says a lot about where this program is headed.
Houston’s Rise Under Willie Fritz
Willie Fritz has Houston trending up in the Big 12, doubling their win total from four to ten last season. Quarterback Conner Weigman and star wideout Amare Thomas are both back, so expectations are high again.
Building on Success
Houston’s path to double-digit wins isn’t out of the question. A conference championship game appearance could be on the table, too.
The Cougars have a pretty manageable schedule ahead. They’ve also beefed up their defense with some key transfers.
The arrival of quarterback Keisean Henderson—the No. 1 player in the 2026 recruiting class—brings a whole new level of excitement. Honestly, it’s hard not to get at least a little hyped.
For more in-depth analysis, visit Athlon Sports.
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