2026 College Football Picks: Week Six

Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama

 

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 26-10 | ⚡ UPSETS 1–2 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 1–2 | 🔒 LOCKS 5–1

(2) Georgia Bulldogs @ (6) Alabama Crimson Tide

📍 Tuscaloosa, AL

🏈 Alabama -1.5 | O/U 51.5

For as much has changed in the SEC and college football over the years, Georgia and Alabama have remained constants - and the two are set to square off again on Saturday night in a matchup that has the feelings of another instant classic. Both are undefeated and have their sets sight on National Titles. The weather could be complete chaos. Future NFLers will line up all over the field. And only one team will come away with the win.

It's been smooth sailing over the first five weeks of the season for Georgia, who has taken advantage of one of the weakest schedules in the SEC up to this point to get to 5-0. Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt may genuinely be the worst three teams in the league this fall, and the Bulldogs cruised over all three. Even so, the Bulldogs still have to be excited about what the offense has been able to achieve, averaging 51.4 PPG entering the weekend. There is real balance to this group and some explosiveness, with quarterback Gunner Stockton at the controls. Stockton is completing 76% of his passes and keeping the ball out of opponent's hands, while still being willing to take the shots down the field. His supporting cast is a bit light on star power, as compared to some of the past Kirby Smart teams we've seen, but Nate Frazier and a deep backfield power the run, and there are real weapons at receiver. Craig Dandridge is the team's leading receiver, despite just nine catches on the campaign. His big play ability is something that has been missing at times for Georgia over the years and he does so by creativity after the catch. We saw Ryan Coleman-Williams become a household name with a dominant showing of his own against the Bulldogs a few years ago - could this be the type of moment for Dandridge, too? More than likely given the potential for inclement weather, it's going to be the old ground-and-pound for Georgia. It's good news they are so deep in the backfield, per usual, but the chess match against Kane Wommack and this Alabama defense is a fun storyline. Wommack is awfully creative with what he is able to do on the defensive side, and he seems to elevate his performance for the big games. The Tide are going to be aggressive and it's worth noting this is still a very young Georgia offensive line. The Bulldogs have held up on the line all season, but this is a different animal than they've seen and games like these often have a way of coming down to the war in the trenches.

There's not an overwhelming favorite in the Heisman race just yet, but if you said it was Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, I don't think anyone could argue with you. Russell simply does not look like a first-year starter - his comfortability and feel for this offense is well beyond his years. He's able to make things happen in a variety of ways, whether it's sitting back and picking apart a defense from the pocket, or going out and improvising. It has helped that Alabama's great weakness last fall, the O-Line play and the ground game, have both been much improved so far on the season. That's allowed Russell a bit more of a margin for error and not forced him to create the entire offense, as was often a problem for Ty Simpson in 2025. I'm curious what Glenn Schumann and this Georgia defense draw up to try and stop him. You almost wonder if they're going to sit back and not apply as much pressure as usual given Russell's excellent improvisation skills. When he can get out of the pocket and find openings with the big play threats the Tide possess on the perimeter, that's when he's especially dangerous. More so than anything, this feels like a mental game for this Georgia defense. Who is the toughest quarterback they've faced so far this fall, Vanderbilt freshman Jared Curtis? They're probably going to take a punch or two, potentially early, from Russell and this Alabama offense, and it's going to be about how they respond. If Alabama is able to steal away the early momentum and get the crowd fully into this one, mounting a comeback is going to be that much harder. 

Alabama has owned the regular season series between these two in recent years, and they do get the homefield advantage. Yet, Kirby is going to have his boys up for a game like this, and you almost wonder if Georgia will be fresher given the light schedule. The weather throws another wrench to consider. I don't think you can go wrong either way, but we just know Alabama more at this juncture in the season and going into Bryant-Denny Stadium and coming away with a victory is an arduous process for any opponent - especially a rival like Georgia.

The Pick: Alabama, 31 Georgia, 28

(21) UCLA Bruins @ (13) Oregon Ducks

2026 College Football Picks: Week Five

 

Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 20-7 | ⚡ UPSETS 1–1 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 1–2 | 🔒 LOCKS 3–1

(5) Ohio State Buckeyes @ (14) Iowa Hawkeyes

📍 Iowa City

🏈 Ohio State -14.5 | O/U 45.5

It took until the very last play of the game, but Iowa found a way to overcome Michigan in a thriller in Ann Arbor last weekend. Now they welcome the Big Ten favorite to Kinnick, which has long been where ranked teams go to die. Can the Hawkeyes continue the magic, or is this the type of game that will bring them back down to Earth?

In many ways, Iowa's upset of Michigan was peak Iowa football. They found a way to make it ugly, kept it close the entire way, and then made the big play when it counted to steal away the win. But, the way they did it was not a typical Iowa effort. The Hawkeyes never found a way to get anything going on the ground limping to just 58 yards total on 24 carries. Instead, it was Hank Brown and the passing attack that stepped up most when it was needed, as Brown threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns, including an excellent throw to the sideline in the end zone to seal the win. That's not to say we can expect Iowa to suddenly became a team that is going to sling the ball all over the field, but there is some actual balance to this offense this fall. Brown is a rock-solid quarterback who can make the big play when it counts, and there is real pass-catchers to throw the ball to. Tony Diaz made waves in the offseason and has impressed early on, Reece Vander Zee had the two touchdown catches last weekend, and tight end Addison Ostrenga will move the chains over the middle. Most importantly, offensive coordinator Tim Lester has worked hard to add just enough creative elements to this offense to keep defenses honest. To pull off an upset, the Hawkeyes are still probably going to have to play the field position game and rely heavily on the defense. Even the fact that there's any passing game to speak of is a far cry from some of the units Kirk Ferentz has thrown out there in recent years. Throughout the week, you have to imagine the priority for Lester and this Iowa offensive staff has been figuring out what they can do to revive the rushing attack, especially against a Buckeye defensive front that has some questions of their own. I'm of the belief Michigan has one of the best defenses in the nation, but the Hawkeyes will need more from Kamari Moulton and this entire backfield to play the type of game they are capable of.

Ohio State has recovered nicely from their shocking defeat on the road to Texas, pounding Kent State 59-3 and then running past Illinois in their opener. For as large as the offseason storyline was around the hire of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, there has not been a major difference to the way this team has operated so far this fall. The second half against Texas was ugly, but they've looked in complete command in every instance. Now, Iowa will give them the toughest test they've seen since the Longhorns. Phil Parker-coached defenses may not have the athletes of a Texas, but they're tough, disciplined, and fundamentally sound. They're going to force Ohio State to work in a way they have not for a large chunk of the season so far. The Buckeyes will need several things to put points on the board: the ground game to find a rhythm, and somebody else, anyone else, to emerge beyond Jeremiah Smith out wide. We know how good Smith is, he has a chance to take over this game, too. But against the other elite teams on the schedule, the Buckeyes need to find somebody else to take pressure off No. 4. Devin McCuin was the big-name transfer, Brandon Inniss was the former high-profile recruit and the veteran. There's even Chris Henry Jr., the prize of this year's recruiting class, who has been held to just three catches on the year. Somebody else is going to need to start making plays - we saw how limited the offense could be when Smith was held in check. Parker and this entire coaching staff are experts at throwing difficult looks at offenses and taking them out of their comfort zones. They have had all week to prepare for Smith and may have just enough to challenge the Buckeyes to look elsewhere.

I was a believer in Iowa all offseason, and there's always an energy in Kinnick when they welcome top teams to Iowa City. Yet, I fear this has the makings of a game where Ohio State has the potential to roll. There are still questions about this roster, but the athletes they have on the field will just look completely different than Iowa. They also face a Hawkeyes team riding an emotional high after last weekend, a team primed for a letdown. It may not be a pretty game from the Buckeyes, but I think they come away with a fairly comfortable victory.

The Pick: Ohio State, 35 Iowa, 17

(6) Alabama Crimson Tide @ (17) Miss. State Bulldogs

2026 College Football Picks: Week Four

Jayden Maiava, USC

 

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 11-7 | ⚡ UPSETS 0–1 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 0–2 | 🔒 LOCKS 2–1

(1) Texas Longhorns @ (14) Tennessee Volunteers

📍 Knoxville, TN

🏈 Texas -5.5 | O/U 55.5

A come-from-behind win at home over Ohio State in Week Two has Texas fans dreaming of a National Title run. The only thing standing in their way? Seven ranked matchups the rest of the regular season, not including the Red River game with Oklahoma. First up is a trip to Knoxville to face off with Tennessee, who has rolled to a 3-0 start but is short on resume wins.

Statistically, there isn't one thing that jumps off the page at you about Texas. They've had three strong offensive showings, with the Buckeye win particularly special given the strength of the opponent. But what they make up for with gaudy stats is just how many different ways they can approach a defense. Arch Manning has thrust himself firmly into the thick of the Heisman race, but the Longhorns have spent major money to give him the right support. Hollywood Smoothers and Raleek Brown have been a very effective 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Cam Coleman is the big name outside, but Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V have been just as valuable. And even though they've taken their lumps, the offensive line has been good enough to put Texas in position to win games. Perhaps most importantly, Steve Sarkisian has been on fire from a play-calling perspective, in the midst of one of his best runs since he was Alabama offensive coordinator. He'll be in store for a battle against one of the best defensive coaches in the game in Jim Knowles, who has engineered a quick turnaround for the Volunteer defense. This is a group that also spent big money this offseason, and it's obvious Knowles represents an upgrade over the departed Tim Banks. Tennessee believes they are good enough now on this side of the ball to compete with the big boys of the SEC and the early results are encouraging. With that being said, how much can we really take away from shutting down Furman, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State? This will tell us a lot about just how much those offseason changes can change things here in Knoxville.

There's a lot of great young quarterbacks in the SEC right now, and Tennessee's Faizon Brandon is playing as well as any of them. Brandon emerged from a crowded quarterback room and is off to a start that includes nearly 700 yards of total offense and nine total touchdowns. The most important stat, however, is the zero interceptions, quite an achievement for a quarterback playing his first three games of live college action. Again, the competition is not at the highest level it will be, but it has provided Brandon the momentum he needs to hit the meat of the schedule running. Still, this is going to be a Volunteer offense that is going to need to rely on the ground in these big games, at least early on. For all the talk of Josh Heupel playing a wide-open attack, a power-run game has been a key element in setting up everything they do out wide. He's been patient with his young quarterbacks, including Nico Iamaleava, and Brandon so far. It helps that they've held a superior edge in the trenches against all three of their opponents so far on the year, all of whom are leaky against the run. That's allowed DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris, and Brandon himself to feast against the early non-conference. This is a Texas defense with entirely different athletes, who are fast, twitchy, and physical. I am still quite a bit curious how this Longhorn defense shapes up the rest of the way this fall, and this game will give us some key indications. Will Muschamp was a big-name hire, and a bold move by Sark. The Longhorns have real star power, including Colin Simmons and Rasheem Biles, but will the consistency be there? Texas is going to have to win some ugly ones given the schedule, and that will be on the defense to get the job done.

Neyland Stadium is the type of home atmosphere that can close apparent gaps between teams, and the Volunteers will need the crowd in full tilt on Saturday afternoon. But, it's just so hard to gauge Tennessee at this point in the year, and I would need more justification if I were to go for an upset here. This has the chance to be a tough one, because this is a good Volunteer team... I think. Yet, the Longhorns look to be just too much at the end of the day.

The Pick: Texas, 38 Tennessee, 24

(20) Oregon Ducks @ (12) USC Trojans

2026 College Football Picks: Week Two

Raleek Brown, Texas

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 6-3 | ⚡ UPSETS 0–0 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 0–2 | 🔒 LOCKS 1–0 

(1) Ohio State Buckeyes @ (4) Texas Longhorns

📍 Austin, TX

🏈 Texas -1.5 | O/U 49.5

For the third straight season, two of the sport's Goliaths will collide, this time in Austin. The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have won the previous two meetings, and will look for the trifecta against a Texas team on the hunt for a signature victory. Both are fresh off blowout wins over Group of Five foes, with the Longhorns entering as slight favorites in their home stadium.

The Texas offense struggled mightily in last year's defeat, as Matt Patricia drew up a tremendous gameplan his Buckeye debut. This Longhorn offense has a different feel this year, at least on paper. Arch Manning seems to be getting more comfortable by the passing week, and it helps that Texas has invested so much around him. Cam Coleman is perhaps the most purely talented wide out in the country, and big things are expected of the backfield duo of Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. That backfield combo was sorely missing in last year's loss, where the Longhorns lacked any explosiveness and were not able to stretch the field horizontally. That left them trying to work in between the tackles against a fearsome Buckeye front, and the lack of success showed. Another element that was missing last year was the quarterback run game, with Arch. It's easy to forget the 2024 season since it felt so long ago, but we first saw Arch in a Longhorn uniform mainly in designed quarterback run packages in the red zone. We didn't see it as often last season, and it did feel like an element of the Longhorn offense was missing. They are going to have to be creative in moving the ball against a talented Ohio State defense, and it does feel like there is going to be opportunities here. Opening things up horizontally could also set up Coleman in a way this offense needs if they want to find the big play down the field. 

Speaking of struggling offenses, Ohio State didn't exactly have a highlight reel day in last year's win over the Longhorns. They managed just 203 yards of total offense, managing just 77 yards on the ground - just 2.3 yards per carry. Something tells me that is going to change here, as Bo Jackson is the type of weapon that can change things, and he didn't receive a single carry in last year's matchup. Ja'Kobi Jackson could also factor in, as the former Florida transfer matched the sophomore in yardage in the opener against Ball State. For all the criticism around the hire of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he earned a reputation for himself in the pros for finding ways to set up the ground game with jumbo packages and heavy sets. It may not always be pretty, but it should help the Buckeyes control the line of scrimmage in the way they need to if they want to come out victorious. That's not to sell short an aerial attack that features perhaps the nation's top QB-WR combo in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. The Longhorns found a way to contain Smith, but we've seen countless times how the junior superstar can take over games. New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has had the entire offseason to devise a gameplan to contain Smith, but there are also plenty of new pieces in the secondary. Beyond Smith, I am watching to see who emerges in this Ohio State receiver room, which no longer has Carnell Tate. UTSA transfer Devin McCuin feasted in the opener, and looks he could be the Robin to Smith's Batman. That's a terrifying thought for the rest of the Big Ten, and for the Longhorns in this one.

Beating any team three straight years is not an easy feat in today's modern college football with how much rosters can turn over yearly, an few teams are investing in their roster quite the way Texas is. The Longhorns also get the favorable homefield advantage, so it's no surprise to see them as the favorite. But, the pick for me is super simple - I just trust Ohio State more. The program under Ryan Day has a clear, established identity. They reload as well as anybody in the country. And I'm not sure there's anyone that can match what they feature at the skill positions, including the Longhorns. This will be a battle, but I think the Buckeyes make enough plays to secure a signature win early on in the year.

The Pick: Ohio State, 34 Texas, 27

(11) Oklahoma Sooners @ Michigan Wolverines

2026 College Football Picks: Week One

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 0–0 | ⚡ UPSETS 0–0 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 0–0 | 🔒 LOCKS 0–0

Clemson Tigers vs. (11) LSU Tigers 

📍 Baton Rouge

🏈 LSU -10 | O/U 50.5

The 2019 National Championship Game feels like a lifetime ago, especially for these two respective programs. At that point, LSU was putting the finishing touches on an all-time season. Clemson had established themselves as one of the sport's most consistent programs, playing in their fourth National Championship in five years. Now, both collide in this 2026 season opener looking vastly different, and out to prove themselves in different ways. LSU now has Lane Kiffin on the sidelines and were one of the most aggressive teams in the nation in the transfer portal. Clemson has slipped significantly under Dabo Swinney, but is out to prove last season's disappointing 7-6 finish was merely an aberration. One team will come out Saturday, while the other will find themselves under pressure as they look towards the remainder of the fall.

There's a whole lot of new faces for Lane and the Bayou Bengals as they begin this new era, and it starts at quarterback. Sam Leavitt was brought on from Arizona State to jolt an offense that was downright ugly last year. He'll have a new-look offensive line, bolstered by stud tackle Jordan Seaton, and some fresh weapons to work with at the skill position. How he looks in the opener could set the tenor for the rest of LSU's season. Leavitt missed a big chunk of last year with injury, and he needs to be back to 100 percent if this team is to reach their lofty ceiling. Yet, I'm perhaps more curious about this ground game, which features holdovers Caden Durham and Harlem Berry. Every great Lane Kiffin-coached team has always featured an elite ground game that opens up everything they do through the air. For an offense that struggled to run the ball throughout the entire Brian Kelly era, finding rhythm here would be a huge testament to the quick turnaround Lane appears capable of. You do get the sense Lane is going to want to test what Clemson's athletes look like up front. If he feels he has the advantage, he is going to be just fine sitting back and running the ball all game long. Clemson has some quality pieces, namely defensive end Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown, but this is not the same Tiger front seven we came to know during their height in the 2010s. It feels like LSU is going to hold the edge and be the more physical team, unless Tom Allen and this Clemson defensive staff can come up with some creative blitzes and looks to get into the backfield. Clemson feels like the team that is going to have to take chances, particularly on the road, and that has never been the strength of Dabo or this coaching staff. Their golden years were about their advantage in talent, player development, and preparation. I'm curious to see if they can devise a gameplan to overcome the talent gap here.

It's a different feel to the Clemson offense, too, after they overhauled this unit following the frustrating

Full College Football Preview 2026

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

 Top 25

(Note: These rankings reflect where I expect teams to finish, not how I rank them entering the preseason.)

1. Oregon Ducks -- Dan Lanning's program has been among the most dominant in all of the land since his arrival, but the Ducks are still on the hunt for elusive postseason success. Now, he has a team with a core that all said to the NFL to run it back for a shot at the National Title, including Heisman frontrunner Dante Moore, several key position players, and nearly the entire D-Line. Surviving the unforgiving Big Ten will help this team build the armor they need to finish the job this time around.

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- The Irish were a notable Playoff snub last winter, but they have all the looks of a team that will cruise this time around. Quarterback C.J. Carr, elite line play, and perhaps the nation's best secondary put Notre Dame in position for their best season since the turn of the century.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes -- The shocking loss to Miami in last year's Playoff indicated there is still work to be done in Columbus if they want to stay on top of the college football world. Fortunately, this year's Buckeyes team has perhaps the nation's best QB-WR combo in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, plus one of the country's most talented freshman in Chris Henry Jr.

4. Georgia Bulldogs -- The machine in Athens keeps on running, as Kirby Smart's Bulldogs have won 11 or more games each full season for a decade straight. Don't expect that to stop in 2026, as Georgia looks to be the team to beat in the SEC. A veteran QB and loaded defense is all Kirby needs to build a National Title favorite.

5. Texas Longhorns -- The pressure is on for Steve Sarkisian at Texas. Arch Manning is in his second full season as starter. The Longhorns spent huge in the portal, including landing one of the best on the market in Cam Coleman. And then there were the staff moves, with Will Muschamp making his triumphant return as defensive coordinator. If this team can survive one of the nation's toughest schedules, a deep postseason run feels like it's in the cards.

6. Miami Hurricanes -- The breakthrough finally arrived in Coral Gables last winter. How do they build on it? Bringing on Darian Mensah at quarterback was quite the statement, and a likely upgrade at the game's most important position. He'll throw to one of the nation's most electric playmakers, Malachi Toney, who is on the cusp of superstardom. The 'Canes should dominate a middling ACC and enter the Playoff as a true title contender.

7. Indiana Hoosiers -- Nobody is overlooking the Hoosiers now after putting together one of the most

College Football Preview 2026: Big 12 Part 2

Julian Lewis, Colorado

 

Power Rankings

Teams 1-8 in Part 1

9. Arizona State Sun Devils

Replicating the magical success of the 2024 campaign was always going to be a challenge for Arizona State, and it didn't help they were bitten by the injury bug last fall. Even so, head coach Kenny Dillingham showed real coaching chops dragging this Sun Devils team an 8-5 finish, which included the upset of league champion Texas Tech. 

The new challenge entering 2026 will be building on that, despite losing star quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt missed a big chunk of last season with injury, but his transfer to LSU is still a major blow to the program. Tyson, meanwhile, is playing on Sundays now, taken eighth overall by the New Orleans Saints.

Arizona State will now turn to Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley to run the offense. We saw flashes from Boley during his time in Lexington but consistency was a problem, and he was quite turnover prone, with 12 interceptions. Dillingham is going to need to curve his worst impulses, but the potential is there if he can acclimate to this system.

Boley will have some fun pieces to work with, even without Tyson. Omarion Miller and Reed Harris were big gets in the portal, with Miller coming over from Colorado and Harris from Boston College. Miller immediately becomes a go-to guy in this offense, fresh off a year in which he went for over 800 yards with the Buffaloes. Add in Washington transfer Raiden Vines-Bright, who now returns to his native Tempe, there's some thought this receiver corps could actually be better in 2026.

There's turnover at tailback after Raleek Brown got a huge NIL deal with Texas, but the Sun Devils will look to deploy a committee approach this fall. Junior Kyson Brown is probably going to get the most opportunities, but Jason Brown Jr. had the huge bowl showing against Duke in the Sun Bowl. Freshman Cardae Mack is the talented newcomer, giving this position real depth.

The defense will look a lot different in 2026 after an up-and-down season a year ago. The Sun Devils saw plenty of attrition up front and hit the portal hard to upgrade a pass defense that was among the worst in the Big 12. One of the few constants is veteran defensive linemen C.J. Fite, who will play a key leadership role this year.

The back seven may be full of newcomers, but several of them are highly accomplished. That includes tackling machine Owen Long, who comes over from Colorado State after leading FBS football in tackles last season. In the secondary, Lyrik Rawls comes over from Kansas, while Ashton Stamps is primed to enter a starting role after arriving from LSU. Stamps has 17 career starts to his credit, and his experience will be valuable in reshaping a defensive backfield that needs to be better.

Bottom Line: Dillingham can flat out coach, but this offseason was a tough one in Tempe. This is a school with ample resources, but seeing Leavitt and Brown take huge NIL deals elsewhere was a wakeup call for the program. Arizona State responded the best way they could, spending that money on greater needs and identifying potential weapons who could replace Tyson at receiver. Yet, this still has the looks of a transition season for the Sun Devils. The schedule does no favors - going on the road to Texas A&M is one thing in mid-September, but then turning around without any additional rest to meet up with Kansas in London? The Sun Devils also have Texas Tech, BYU, and Arizona all on the road this fall, quite the gift from the Big 12 schedule-makers. I'm always wary of how a team like this reacts to a long travel schedule early on in the year, and the downstream impacts it can have. Given that, and the questions elsewhere, simply getting back to a bowl game would be a success for Dillingham and staff.

10. Baylor Bears

Few coaches in college football enter this fall as squarely on the hot seat as Dave Aranda at Baylor. The Aranda tenure in Waco has been a confusing one, full of some incredible highs and shocking lows. There was the slow start during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, a surprising Big 12 Title a year later, and then four years flip-flopping between being competitive and being at the bottom of the league.

At 36-37 overall, Aranda knew he had to act this offseason, and he brought in quite a big name on offense. D.J. Lagway, the former blue-chip recruit, will be handed control of the Baylor offense after Sawyer Roberton's graduation. Lagway had his moments in Gainesville and oozed potential, but it never quite came together. This past season was especially tough, but health did seem to play a factor, as Lagway never quite looked 100 percent. 

The pairing of Lagway with offensive coordinator Jake Spavital could be exciting. But, the two of them will have to make do with an offense that is replacing just about every other big name from a unit that averaged 31.1 points per contest in 2025.

Dawson Pendergrass looks like he will be the guy next to Lagway in the backfield, as he's back again after missing all of 2025. We saw him at his best in 2024, as he tallied 671 yards on the year, but he'll have to stay healthy this year. Caden Knighten is another key returnee, but the Bears need this pair to stay healthy given the lack of experience behind them. 

The receiver corps has a lot of potential, but it's hard to know who the real playmakers are going to end up being. Gavin Freeman is a name to watch, now on his third school of his college career, but he's not your traditional wide out, at just 5'9". Colorado transfer Dre'lon Miller can do it all, including spending time at running back with the Buffaloes, but he has yet to put it all together. Louis Brown IV and Jadon Porter are the holdovers who Baylor is hoping can emerge.

Then, there's the offensive line. Four starters are departing from this unit, with right tackle Kaden Sieracki the only one back. The Bears are hoping transfers can fill the void, and is also high on Kaden's younger brother, Koltin, to come in and potentially start at center.

Given Aranda's defensive background, it's been pretty shocking how poorly Baylor has fared on this side of the ball throughout his tenure. Last year was more of the same, with the Bears being gashed on the ground and surrendering 32.6 PPG (120th in the country). There were sweeping changes in the offseason, with Aranda making quite the splash by bringing on Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman to run this unit.

Klanderman is highly accomplished, and got the most from his defenses with K-State. Perhaps most importantly for the Bears, he was able to engineer some strong rush defenses. He'll have to work some magic this year, as Baylor's front seven is nearly entirely new, with the exception being linebacker Travion Barnes and defensive tackle Devonte Tezino.

It's better news in the defensive backfield, with veterans LeVar Thornton and Jacob Redding, plus a healthy Devin Turner, who returns from a torn ACL. Redding is one of the most underrated defenders in the conference, a former walk-on who has emerged as one of the most consistent tacklers in the Big 12. He missed the season finale last year with injury and wasn't at 100 percent this spring, so ensuring he is ready to go will be a top priority.

Klanderman is hoping to force more turnovers with this unit this fall, running a more aggressive unit that takes more chances than what we saw under Aranda. Between an offense that throws the ball around and a defense that could not create turnovers, Baylor was among the worst in FBS ball with a -13 turnover margin.

Bottom Line: Landing Lagway and bringing in Klanderman were the type of offseason wins Aranda needed going into a make-or-break seventh season. But it's hard to know if those are going to be enough to reverse Baylor's fortunes when you consider just how much is leaving elsewhere. The offense is replacing its quarterback, running back, top four receivers, and four starters on the O-Line. The defense, even with Klanderman's track record, is a complete mystery given all the new pieces in the front seven. Aranda seems to perform his best when his back is against the wall, but it's difficult to imagine a scenario in which Baylor builds much on last year's 5-7 mark. Depending on how they handle a late September to mid-October stretch that includes Colorado, Arizona State, and TCU could determine whether Aranda is even still the man in charge when the season concludes on the road against Houston in the season finale.

11. West Virginia Mountaineers

College Football Preview 2026: Big 12 Part 1

Will Hammond, Texas Tech

 Power Rankings

1. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Following a 2025 season in which they went 8-1 in the league and won the Big 12 Title, Texas Tech was always going to be the team to beat heading into this fall. But after the Brendan Sorsby saga unfolded throughout the offseason, the program is taking on a true villain role as they embark on the 2026 campaign.

The Sorsby drama concluded with the $4 million quarterback and the Red Raiders officially parting ways, meaning it will be last year's backup, Will Hammond, as the projected starter. Hammond had some bright moments in relief of Behren Morton last season, but he has questions of his own. He missed the final six games of 2025 after tearing his ACL, and has been working his way back the entire offseason. The hope is that he'll be ready for the opener, but the Red Raiders will likely be cautious with him early on. Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis may be thrust into a larger role than expected when he came over from the Golden Hurricanes.

As the quarterback questions persist, Texas Tech will lean on their ground game. And that's good news, too, because this may be one of the nation's best running back rooms. Cam Dickey and J'Koby Williams combined for nearly 2,000 yards and total touchdowns last season, and they will now be joined by a healthy Quinten Joyner, who missed the entirety of 2025 with injury after transferring in from USC. Joyner ran for 478 yards the last time we saw him healthy, averaging 7.6 yards per carry for the Trojans.

The rest of the offense is similarly loaded. Although the receiver corps saw several players leave for the NFL, they added Pittsburgh transfer Kenny Johnson, and sure-handed senior Coy Eakin returns. The Red Raiders also still have high hopes for former five-star recruit Micah Hudson, who has had some flashes, but is still awaiting his true breakthrough moment. Tight end Terrence Carter, an All-Big 12 talent, is also still in Lubbock, and ready to support whoever is throwing passes.

The offensive line returns three starters, and has exceptional depth. Jordan Church comes in from Louisville and could slide into a starting guard spot, and the program is still hopeful Hunter Zambrano can regain his old form, as the former All-Missouri Valley linemen at Illinois State has had two straight injury-shortened seasons. Don't be surprised if Felix Ojo, the gem of the 2026 high school recruiting class, also finds a way to factor in immediately somewhere, too.

Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood engineered the nation's No. 3 defense in 2025. Then, he watched as Texas Tech sent a bunch of defenders to the pros, namely David Bailey, Romello Height, and reigning Butkus Award winner Jacob Rodriguez. Despite the turnover, Wood should have the Red Raiders stout on this side of the ball once more, as the program reloaded through the portal.

Senior nose tackle A.J. Holmes is a key holdover who will cause chaos in the heart of the Red Raider defensive line. Around him, Texas Tech spent big in the portal to replace the likes of Bailey and Height. San Diego State's Trey White and Miami-Ohio's Adam Trick are the top two names, with both expected to slide into starting roles.

The departure of Rodriguez is significant, as the do-it-all linebacker was the heart and soul of this unit in 2025. Nobody will completely replicate his production, but returnees Ben Roberts and John Curry will pair with Kansas State transfer Austin Romaine to create quite the strong position group. Romaine has 184 career tackles, and is looking for a resurgent 2026 after injury cost him a chunk of last fall.

There's more good news in the secondary, as headliner Brice Pollock leads a group that should be among the best in the Big 12. Pollock will have NFL attention all year long, but veterans Amier Boyd and Brendan Jordan will also play a crucial role in cleaning up on the back-end.

Bottom Line: Few programs have taken greater advantage of this new era of college football than Texas Tech, who has spent like a team that wants to win a National Title. The result has been a roster that is far and away the most talented in the Big 12, even after the Sorsby situation. The quarterback questions may linger into the fall, but the Red Raiders have the luxury of having time to figure it out. Aside from the Week Three date with Houston at home, they should roll through their early schedule before things heat up in mid-to-late October. Another 11-1 or even undefeated regular season doesn't seem out of the question given the Red Raiders miss BYU inside the conference, but the next step will be showing up in the College Football Playoff. A 23-0 blowout loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl showed the program still has work to do as they establish themselves as one of the sport's big boys in this new college football landscape.

2. BYU Cougars

There's a lot returning from a BYU team that went 12-2 and played Texas Tech for a Big 12 Title last season, but perhaps no return is more important than that of head coach Kalani Sitake. Sitake was on the short list for the Penn State head coaching job and appeared destined to take it, before BYU countered with a hefty extension and increased NIL funding.

Sitake's return, mixed with so many key personnel pieces back, has the Cougars believing they can give Texas Tech a run for their money at the top of the league. To reach that next step, BYU needs quarterback Bear Bachmeier to continue his growth after a surprisingly strong first season as starter.

Bachmeier was not even the expected starter for BYU heading into last season, as incumbent Jake Retzlaff was returning for another year. That was until Retzlaff was suspended in June, and subsequently announced his decision to transfer to Tulane. The youthful Bachmeier then came on and totaled 3,500 yards of total offense and 26 touchdowns.

Joining Bachmeier will be tailback L.J. Martin, giving BYU quite the potent rush offense. Martin went for over 1,300 yards and 12 scores himself, and his ability to catch out of the backfield gives this Cougar offense another way to impose their will on opposing defenses. Those two will play an even greater role in 2026, as BYU is replacing its top three receivers from a season ago.

Juniors Jojo Phillips and Cody Hagen are names folks expect to emerge given their familiarity in the offense, but Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper is also a name to watch, as a huge 6'6" wide out on the perimeter. Transfer tight end Walker Lyons should also factor in, as the former USC transfer flashed significant upside with the Trojans. He comes to BYU with his brother, Ryder, who was one of the top signees of the Cougar 2026 recruiting class.

While Sitake stayed put, the same can not be said of defensive coordinator Jay Hill. He joined up with Kyle Whittingham at Michigan, leaving the Cougars to turn to Kelly Poppinga to run this defense. Poppinga has been on the staff for a long time, and he'll look to run essentially the same system Hill had in place.

Poppinga will benefit from having a bunch of starters returning, with nearly the entire front seven back. In fact, the only new starter is quite the significant one, linebacker Cade Uluave. Uluave was one of the most coveted defenders in the portal, and BYU flexed their muscles by landing the one-time Cal Golden Bear. He brings 26 starts to the table, fresh off a 2025 in which he notched 100 tackles and 12 TFL.

There's plenty of stability in the secondary, where three starters return. Senior corner Evan Johnson is among the most underrated defenders anywhere in the nation, a steady veteran who picked off five passes last year. 

Bottom Line: You can understand why BYU paid Sitake big money to stay in Provo. Aside from 2023, when BYU went 5-7 as they struggled to adjust to the new-look Big 12, the Cougars have won eight or more games every season since 2019. The hope is that they can build on that success and both give Texas Tech a legitimate challenge for the Big 12 crown, and contend for the College Football Playoff. The pieces are certainly in place to do just that, especially if Bachmeier takes the steps forward as a passer many expect him to. A mid-season date with Notre Dame at home in the heart of their Big 12 schedule will be tricky, but also gives the Cougars a chance to secure the type of statement win that has eluded them for much of the Sitake years.

3. Houston Cougars