USC Rising, Alabama Falling: College Football Stock Watch 2026

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We’re all waiting (maybe a bit impatiently) for the next college football season to kick off. It’s always worth keeping tabs on which programs are heating up and which ones seem to be cooling off. On a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show, FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt shared his thoughts on teams trending up and those that might be in for a rough stretch as we head toward 2026.

This isn’t about calling playoff shots just yet—more about figuring out where these programs are headed, for better or worse. Curious? Here’s what Klatt’s seeing right now.

Table of Contents

Teams Trending Up

USC Trojans

Klatt’s got his eye on USC. They’re bringing back an experienced quarterback, and the offensive line is sticking together—always a good sign. Jayden Maiava is coming back, and with running backs King Mack and Waymond Jordan in the mix, USC’s ground game could end up looking a lot like Lincoln Riley’s best Oklahoma teams.

Then there’s the defensive side. USC’s new defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson, brings a serious résumé and a ton of energy. Klatt thinks Patterson’s hire could be a game-changer for Riley, especially after losing D’anton Lynn. Even with wide receiver Makai Lemon heading to the NFL, there’s hope the Trojans can keep things rolling.

UCLA Bruins

UCLA’s stock is rising, mostly thanks to their new head coach, Bob Chesney. He built a winning reputation at James Madison, even when he lost key players. That says something about his approach.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has already started 25 games—no small feat. Klatt figures that with Iamaleava’s experience and Chesney’s leadership, UCLA could surprise a lot of people this season. Maybe even snag a bowl game spot?

Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech made a bold move by hiring James Franklin as head coach. He did plenty at Penn State, even if he hit a wall there. Now, he’s got a chance to shake things up in Blacksburg, especially with his recruiting chops in Virginia.

Ethan Grunkemeyer, a quarterback transferring from Penn State, is another name to watch. Klatt mentioned that Indiana’s defensive coordinator was genuinely impressed by Grunkemeyer’s play. That could mean something for the Hokies’ offense.

Teams Trending Down

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s not used to this, but Klatt sees them heading the wrong way. Back-to-back four-loss seasons? That’s tough for a program with their history. Losing Ty Simpson, arguably their best player, has only added to the uncertainty.

Their transfer portal class was ranked sixth in the SEC—not exactly elite for Bama. They’ve also lost important guys like Isaiah Horton, Qua Russaw, and James Smith. Struggles in the SEC Championship Game and a rough outing against Indiana don’t help the outlook.

Florida State Seminoles

Florida State has been through the wringer lately under Mike Norvell. Since that 13-1 run in 2023, they’ve gone just 7-17. Klatt isn’t betting on a quick turnaround, especially with the team’s transfer portal woes and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn stepping away.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels has bounced around, and Klatt doesn’t seem convinced he’s the solution. The Seminoles also haven’t won a road game in two years—0-9, if you’re counting. That’s a stat they’ll definitely want to fix next season, but will they?

Utah Utes

Utah just wrapped up a strong 11-2 season, but now they’re staring down some real challenges. Head coach Kyle Whittingham left for Michigan, and that move threw a wrench into what was supposed to be a smooth succession plan.

They’d lined up defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to take over, but Whittingham’s exit changed everything. To make things worse, Utah lost defensive lineman John Henry Daley and cornerback Smith Snowden—both followed Whittingham to Michigan.

Klatt says the program did everything right, but honestly, nobody saw this coming. It feels like Utah might be forced to regroup and rethink its next steps.

For a deeper dive and the full breakdown, check out the article on FOX Sports.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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