As we inch closer to the 2026 college football season, it’s honestly time to look beyond the usual powerhouses and focus on the underdogs that could shake up the national landscape.
Teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Michigan usually dominate preseason rankings. But there are several overlooked programs that have the potential to disrupt the status quo.
Let’s get into five teams ESPN might be sleeping on for the upcoming season. Each one could make some noise through smart coaching, transfer portal moves, and by keeping key players around.
Arizona State: Reloading for Another Big 12 Title Run
The Arizona State Sun Devils had a rollercoaster of a 2025 season after their Big 12 championship in 2024. Head coach Kenny Dillingham has worked his magic in the transfer portal again, replacing stars like first-round NFL pick Jordyn Tyson with fresh faces such as Colorado’s Omarion Miller and Boston College’s Reed Harris.
The arrival of quarterback Cutter Boley from Kentucky adds another layer of intrigue. He’ll be stepping into the shoes of Sam Leavitt, which is no small task.
It won’t be an easy road with a schedule packed with heavyweights like Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and BYU. Still, the Sun Devils seem well-positioned to make another run at the Big 12 title and maybe, just maybe, snag a College Football Playoff berth.
Key Players to Watch
- Omarion Miller – Wide Receiver
- Reed Harris – Wide Receiver
- Cutter Boley – Quarterback
Virginia Tech: A Fresh Start with James Franklin
The Virginia Tech Hokies are kicking off a new era under head coach James Franklin. He brings a ton of experience and a fresh perspective to the program.
Franklin’s time at Penn State was full of high expectations and some pretty notable achievements. Now, he’s got the chance to rebuild the Hokies, and he’s bringing along some of Penn State’s best leftover talent.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer will have weapons like wide receiver Que’Sean Brown and tight end Luke Reynolds, both former Nittany Lions. With the ACC more open than it’s been in ages, Virginia Tech could surprise a lot of folks by becoming bowl-eligible by Week 8 and maybe even push for a College Football Playoff at-large bid by rivalry week.
Franklin’s Impact
- Ethan Grunkmeyer – Quarterback
- Que’Sean Brown – Wide Receiver
- Luke Reynolds – Tight End
Clemson: Perennial Contenders with Something to Prove
It was a bit of a shock to see Clemson left out of ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25. Even though head coach Dabo Swinney still isn’t all-in on the transfer portal, the Tigers are far from irrelevant.
Clemson’s 2026 recruiting class includes three top-30 wide receivers, and Swinney’s brought in 10 new players via the portal. If these new faces can mesh with the talent already on hand, Clemson could easily upset teams like Miami or Louisville and remind everyone who runs the ACC.
That opening game against LSU? It’s the perfect chance for Clemson to announce they’re back in the national spotlight.
Players to Watch
- Top-30 Wide Receivers – New Recruits
- 10 Transfer Portal Additions
Georgia Tech: A Dark Horse in the ACC
Georgia Tech might just be the team to shake things up in the ACC this season. Head coach Brent Key is rolling with Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of former starter Fernando Mendoza, at quarterback.
Mendoza will have a solid backfield with Malachi Hosley and Michigan transfer Justice Haynes. Key matchups against Tennessee and Georgia will be huge opportunities for the Yellow Jackets to prove themselves.
With the ACC wide open, Georgia Tech could be looking at eight wins—maybe even ten—and a shot at the College Football Playoff. Sounds wild, but hey, stranger things have happened.
Key Matchups
- Week 2 vs. Tennessee – A crucial early test
- Rivalry Week vs. Georgia – A chance to make a statement
Hawai’i: The Rising Force in the Mountain West
Despite the exodus of top teams to the Pac-12, the Mountain West is still a pretty competitive conference. The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors are in a good spot to take advantage of the changes.
Head coach Timmy Chang returns for 2026, along with conference freshman of the year quarterback Micah Alejado. That experience could go a long way.
Hawai’i’s defense will lean on guys like DB Elijah Palmer and linebackers Jamih Otis and Wynden Ho’ohuli. With most of their top talent sticking around, Hawai’i has a real shot to improve on last year’s 9-4 record and maybe even represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff.
Defensive Standouts
- Elijah Palmer – Defensive Back
- Jamih Otis – Linebacker
- Wynden Ho’ohuli – Linebacker
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