Spring practice is underway for college football teams across the country. Some of the sport’s biggest names are kicking things off with pretty glaring question marks on their rosters.
Whether those questions get answered—or just get louder—could decide who makes it to the 2026 College Football Playoff. For programs like Alabama, it’s shaping up to be a classic quarterback battle.
Other teams are more focused on blending in new coaches or making sense of a big wave of transfers. And, well, there’s at least one powerhouse that seems dangerously close to falling apart.
CBS Sports analysts Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, and Danny Kanell recently dove into some of the biggest spring questions for Alabama, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Clemson. They gave fans a real, unfiltered look at what to watch for—and what might just be hype—this spring. You can read more about the biggest spring football questions here.
Alabama’s Quarterback Battle
Alabama’s quarterback situation is the headline this spring. Their starting QB is gone, and that’s left a pretty big hole.
The competition for the top spot is wide open. Several talented guys are in the mix, and honestly, it feels like anyone’s job right now.
Key Contenders
Here are the main names to watch:
- Player A: Big arm, makes decisions fast—sometimes too fast, but you like the confidence.
- Player B: Dual-threat, super agile, and can escape trouble in a heartbeat.
- Player C: Young, but sharp—really seems to see the field well for his age.
Each one brings something different, so it’s going to be a tough call for the coaches. Can’t help but wonder if they’ll settle it by the end of spring.
Indiana’s New Coaching Staff
Indiana’s rolling into spring with a brand-new coaching staff. They’re hoping to shake up their approach and get things moving in the right direction.
Getting everyone on the same page is always tricky with so many new faces. The adjustment period could be rough, but sometimes that’s just what a program needs.
Challenges Ahead
Main hurdles for Indiana this spring:
- Building Team Chemistry: Players and coaches have to figure each other out, fast.
- Implementing New Strategies: New playbooks mean a lot of learning on the fly.
- Recruitment: They’ve got to convince top talent to buy into the new vision.
It’s a lot, but if they pull it off, maybe Indiana surprises a few people this fall.
LSU’s Transfer Portal Talent
LSU’s making a big push to blend in a bunch of transfer portal additions. These days, that’s just how you reload in college football.
They’re hoping some of these new faces can step in and make an impact right away. No pressure, right?
Key Transfers
Some transfers to keep an eye on:
- Player D: Linebacker who’s got a real knack for turning up in big moments.
- Player E: Wide receiver with hands you can trust—always a good thing.
- Player F: Defensive back who just seems to be everywhere in coverage.
How quickly these guys mesh with the rest of the team could make or break LSU’s season.
Michigan’s Defensive Overhaul
Michigan’s got their sights set on fixing the defense this spring. Last season, it just wasn’t good enough—pretty clear to anyone watching.
The coaching staff is determined to turn things around, but that’s easier said than done.
Areas of Focus
Here’s what they’re prioritizing:
- Improving Pass Rush: They need to get after the quarterback, plain and simple.
- Strengthening Secondary: Too many big plays got through last year.
- Linebacker Play: Those guys have to step up in both the run and the pass game.
If they can tighten things up, maybe Michigan’s defense finally lives up to the hype again.
Vanderbilt’s Rebuilding Efforts
Vanderbilt’s still rebuilding, hoping to climb out of the conference basement. They’re betting on young talent and a new attitude.
It’s a long process, but you can see the pieces starting to come together—slowly.
Key Initiatives
Some main things they’re working on:
- Player Development: Focusing on helping young guys grow and get better.
- Recruitment: Gotta bring in some difference-makers if they want to compete.
- Culture Building: Trying to create a place where players actually want to win—and believe they can.
Will it pay off this year? Hard to say, but at least they’re trying something new.
Clemson’s Potential Collapse
One of the more surprising storylines is the possibility of Clemson’s football program falling off a cliff. This used to be a team you could pencil in for the playoff, but now? It’s starting to feel pretty shaky.
They’ve got a lot to figure out, and not much time to do it. Could this really be the year Clemson loses its grip?
Issues at Hand
The main issues facing Clemson include:
- Coaching Instability: Frequent changes in the coaching staff leading to inconsistency.
- Recruitment Struggles: Difficulty in attracting top-tier talent.
- Performance Decline: A noticeable drop in on-field performance.
If Clemson doesn’t get a handle on these problems, things could go south fast. It’s not just a bad season—there’s a real risk of a total collapse.
Spring practice is rolling on, and these storylines aren’t fading anytime soon. Alabama, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Clemson are all staring down some big hurdles.
Want to dig deeper? The full article’s over at biggest spring football questions. Worth a look if you’re following the 2026 College Football Playoff drama.
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