College football coaches offer their insights and predictions for the upcoming season, shedding light on the teams and players to watch. The focus is on the 2026 season, with a particular emphasis on the national title race and the potential sleeper teams. The article highlights the diverse opinions and perspectives of coaches across different levels of FBS football, providing a comprehensive overview of the season's outlook.
National Title Race
The coaches' predictions for the national title are varied, with no clear consensus. Oregon is a popular choice, with six votes, but other teams like Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas also receive votes. The ACC offensive analyst predicts a wide-open race, favoring Oregon's coach, Dan Lanning, for a breakthrough season. The Big 12 general manager highlights Ohio State's experienced quarterback, Julian Sayin, and the team's overall strength.
The Mountain West offensive line coach expresses curiosity about Indiana's potential, praising the team's culture and coach. However, the votes for Indiana are limited, with only one coach picking them for the national title. The article also mentions the Big Ten's potential for a fourth consecutive title, with ten coaches predicting this outcome.
Sleeper Teams
When it comes to sleeper teams, the votes are spread across several programs. Michigan, Oklahoma, BYU, Florida, Alabama, and USC all receive votes, indicating their potential to surprise and make a run at the championship. The American Conference tight ends coach and the Mountain West offensive line coach show optimism for Michigan's new coach, Kyle Whittingham, and his creative run game approach.
Biggest Fraud
The discussion on the biggest fraud or overhyped team is intense. LSU, USC, Texas, and Ohio State receive the most votes in this category. The Mountain West head coach and the SEC defensive coordinator express concerns about LSU's current situation, including potential distractions and team chemistry issues. The Big Ten running backs coach criticizes Alabama's playing style, suggesting a lack of toughness.
Heisman Trophy Contenders
The Heisman Trophy race is closely watched, with Dante Moore from Oregon leading the votes as a quarterback. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Notre Dame's CJ Carr also receive significant support. The ACC analyst praises Smith's generational talent, while the Big 12 general manager is intrigued by Oregon's Moore and Miami's Darian Mensah.
The article also mentions Sam Leavitt from LSU, who is gaining attention for his potential with Lane Kiffin's coaching.
Highest-Paid Player
In response to the question of who should be the highest-paid player, Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State receives the most votes. The Big Ten defensive backs coach and the Big Ten running backs coach highlight Smith's exceptional skills, while the ACC analyst compares him to a generational talent. The SEC defensive coordinator suggests either Trinidad Chambliss or Dante Moore as top contenders.
The article concludes by emphasizing the diverse opinions and the excitement surrounding the upcoming college football season, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation for the action to come.
