Here we go again. The 2026 college football season is right around the corner, and the hype is building. Fans, analysts, and just about everyone who cares are already speculating about which teams might pull off the most shocking upsets.
With college football, you never really know. One Saturday, everything looks normal, and the next, a playoff favorite is suddenly scrambling after a wild loss. Sure, programs like Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State are supposed to run the table. But honestly, it never works out that cleanly, does it?
Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting upset predictions for the coming season. Some of these could really shake things up.
Big 12 Showdown: Arizona vs. BYU
Arizona’s riding high after a 9-4 campaign and coach Brent Brennan seems to have something brewing. The Wildcats are looking to settle the score with BYU after last year’s double-overtime heartbreaker.
BYU’s got Bear Bachmeier back at quarterback, and Provo’s never an easy place to play. But Arizona’s got legit speed and playmakers all over the field—maybe enough to flip the script this time.
Key Factors
- Quarterback Play: Noah Fifita’s experience and calm are going to matter a lot for Arizona.
- Home Field Advantage: Provo’s rowdy, but Arizona’s been through wars before.
- Defensive Matchup: BYU’s defense is tough, but Arizona’s offense is pretty explosive.
Texas Longhorns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Texas fans are still stinging from last year’s narrow loss to Ohio State. Now, with Arch Manning heading into his junior year and an arsenal of weapons, it feels like Texas could really break through.
Ohio State’s expected to be a top-five squad, but Austin is a tough road trip. New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has his work cut out for him trying to slow down the Buckeyes’ high-powered attack.
Players to Watch
- Arch Manning: This could be the season he puts it all together.
- Cam Coleman: Manning’s go-to guy at receiver.
- Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown: That running back duo is just fun to watch.
Lane Kiffin’s Return: LSU vs. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin coming back to Oxford as LSU’s head coach? That’s drama you can’t script. He’s stacked his new roster with transfer talent, and you know he wants this one bad.
Ole Miss isn’t going to roll over, though. With Trinidad Chambliss at quarterback and Kewan Lacy at running back, they’ve got firepower and home-field energy on their side.
Game Dynamics
- Emotional Factor: Kiffin’s return is going to crank up the tension.
- Roster Strength: LSU’s transfer haul versus Ole Miss’s homegrown stars.
- Home Crowd: Oxford’s probably going to be at its loudest all year.
Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech looks like a playoff contender on paper, but Houston might have something to say about that. Willie Fritz has a knack for winning and, with senior QB Connor Weigman, the Cougars aren’t just showing up to lose.
Texas Tech’s banking on Brendan Sorsby, a Cincinnati transfer, to lead the charge. But sometimes, experience and a steady hand like Fritz’s can tip things early in the season.
Matchup Insights
- Quarterback Battle: Sorsby’s upside vs. Weigman’s steady play.
- Coaching Prowess: Fritz has pulled off bigger upsets before.
- Team Chemistry: Is Texas Tech really clicking yet?
California Bears vs. Clemson Tigers
Cal’s rolling the dice with new coach Tosh Lupoi, hoping to finally turn things around. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is only a sophomore, but he’s already making waves with his arm.
Clemson’s rebuilding, relying on a bunch of underclassmen, and honestly, a Friday night in Berkeley feels like a trap. If Cal gets rolling, this could be their statement game.
Strategic Points
- Offensive Firepower: Cal’s receivers are sneaky good.
- Rebuilding Clemson: The Tigers are young and still figuring it out.
- Home Advantage: Friday night at Cal? Not exactly a walk in the park for visitors.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer knows there’s no such thing as an easy SEC game. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers is back after a rough year, and he’s got something to prove.
Bama’s quarterback situation is murky, with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell battling it out. If the Gamecocks catch them off balance, Tuscaloosa could get tense in a hurry.
Critical Elements
- Quarterback Duel: Sellers might have the edge in experience.
- Team Morale: South Carolina’s hungry to bounce back.
- Home Field Pressure: Alabama’s young roster could feel the heat.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Miami Hurricanes
James Franklin is new at Virginia Tech, but he’s not wasting time—he wants a signature win, and Miami’s a tempting target. The Hurricanes have owned the ACC lately, but Franklin’s transfer haul and QB Ethan Grunkemeyer could change the narrative.
A late-season visit to Coral Gables is never easy. Still, if the Hokies put it all together, they could leave Miami fans stunned.
Game Highlights
- Coaching Impact: Franklin’s already making his mark.
- Quarterback Growth: Grunkemeyer’s development is worth watching.
- ACC Implications: A win here could shake up the conference race.
Washington Huskies vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana’s coming in as defending champs, but a late-season trip to Seattle is a different animal. Demond Williams Jr. is back under center for the Huskies, and expectations are high.
Indiana’s schedule is brutal, and the grind could catch up to them. If Washington pulls this off, it’d be a huge feather in coach Jedd Fisch’s cap.
Key Matchups
- Quarterback Showdown: Williams Jr. against Indiana’s Josh Hoover should be fun.
- Travel Fatigue: That cross-country haul is no joke.
- Program Momentum: A win would really lift Washington’s profile.
UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
UCLA’s trying to claw back from a rough 3-9 season, and new coach Bob Chesney is shaking things up. Nico Iamaleava transferred in from Tennessee and, while he’s had some growing pains, there are flashes of hope.
Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy could be the X-factor. USC is trending up, but they’re not quite the juggernaut they want to be—so maybe, just maybe, it’s UCLA’s turn to surprise in this rivalry.
Game Factors
- Coaching Change: Chesney’s impact on UCLA.
- Quarterback Development: Iamaleava’s growth under Kennedy.
- Rivalry Intensity: The stakes of a UCLA vs. USC matchup.
For more detailed analysis and predictions, check out the original article on Bleacher Report.
The 2026 season looks wild already—so many twists and turns ahead, right? Upsets? Surprises? Yeah, probably more than a few.
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