It’s hard not to feel the buzz as we creep closer to the 2026 college football season—just 100 days left. With a wild Week 0 opener between UNC and TCU in Dublin, fans are restless for the drama, the new faces on the sidelines, and everything in between.
Heisman hopefuls, possible first-time CFP squads, and a handful of big-name coaches in new digs—honestly, this season feels like it could go off the rails in the best way. So, what’s actually worth watching as we count down?
Key Storylines to Watch
The 2026 season is loaded with narratives that could flip the script any given week. Here are a few that jump out:
- The Pac-12 Relaunch: The Pac-12 is back, but with a wild new lineup: Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State, and Utah State. It’s a bold attempt to be the best football conference outside the Power 4—will it work?
- Miami’s Quarterback Reload: Miami’s gone 23-4 the last two years with transfer QBs, and now they’ve snagged Darian Mensah, the guy who just dragged Duke to its first ACC title since 1989. Mensah’s deal could hit $4 million this season—no pressure, right?
- Bill Belichick’s Second Year at UNC: After a rough 4-8 debut, the legendary coach is back. Can he get the Tar Heels back on track? Or is this another rebuild slog?
Must-See Games
Some games just feel bigger. These are the ones you probably don’t want to miss:
North Dakota State at UNLV, Oct. 10
North Dakota State finally jumps to FBS and gets a real test right away against Mountain West favorite UNLV. This could get weird—in a good way.
Texas at Texas A&M, Nov. 27
A&M started 11-0 last year but has stumbled in this rivalry lately. This one could decide the SEC West, or at least ruin someone’s season.
Ohio State at Texas, Sept. 12
Ohio State sits atop the Way-Too-Early Top 25, but Arch Manning and a retooled Texas squad aren’t just going to roll over. It’s a measuring stick for both sides, and maybe a preview of something bigger down the road.
Coaching Carousel
The coaching world never sleeps, and this offseason was no exception. Some of the biggest moves:
Lane Kiffin to LSU
Lane Kiffin bailed on Ole Miss and took over at LSU, bringing in Sam Leavitt at QB and the top portal class. LSU’s road games at Ole Miss and Tennessee? Yeah, those should be chaos.
James Franklin to Virginia Tech
Franklin got the boot from Penn State mid-season and landed at Virginia Tech, dragging a few Nittany Lions with him. The Hokies are suddenly interesting again.
Kyle Whittingham’s Move to Michigan
Utah’s longtime coach is now in Ann Arbor, trying to steady a Michigan program that’s been all over the place. Can he settle things down? We’ll see.
Heisman Trophy Contenders
The Heisman race feels wide open, honestly. A couple names keep popping up:
- Arch Manning, Texas: Last season: 3,163 yards, 26 TDs. He’s the obvious pick, but when is it ever that easy?
- Dante Moore, Oregon: Moore’s back for another year with the Ducks after skipping the NFL draft. Bold move—or maybe the right one?
- Darian Mensah, Miami: Set Duke’s single-season passing records last year. Now he’s got Miami fans dreaming big.
Rising Coaches
Some coaches are getting buzz as the next big thing. Keep an eye on these guys:
Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Danielson’s got three straight Mountain West titles. If a West Coast Power 4 job opens up, don’t be shocked if he’s on the list.
Charles Huff, Memphis
Huff’s built a solid résumé and his Maryland connections could land him a Power 4 gig if things break right.
Jason Eck, New Mexico
Eck’s found success in tough spots. He just seems like a natural fit for the Big 12 if someone comes calling.
First-Time CFP Teams
There are a few teams that could finally break through and crash the CFP party:
- Florida: New coach, new look—maybe a new result? The Gators want in.
- Virginia Tech: Franklin’s Hokies are a wild card, but don’t count them out.
- Houston: Conner Weigman is back at QB, and this team looks ready to make a run at the Big 12.
Hotseat Coaches
Some guys are running out of time. It’s now or never for a few big names:
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Last year was rough—4-8. If things don’t improve, Beamer’s probably gone.
Mike Locksley, Maryland
He’s landed some big recruits, but the results in the Big Ten just aren’t there. This season feels make-or-break.
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Fickell’s 17-21 at Wisconsin, and with changes up top, he needs wins—fast.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season looks like it could be a wild ride. There are high-stakes matchups, new coaches, and some fresh faces hoping to make their mark.
Heisman hopefuls are already making headlines, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see a first-time team in the playoff. I’m honestly curious to see which storylines end up mattering most.
Days are ticking down, so if you’re as impatient as I am, keep an eye out for updates. For a deeper dive, you can check out the full article on ESPN.
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