Stephen Vilardo’s Manner-Too-Early ’26 SuperWest CFB High 25

1. Oregon Geese

The final three video games Oregon has misplaced have been to the Nationwide Champions—2024 to Ohio State and twice to Indiana in 2025.

Evidently, the Geese have been very shut not too long ago and are reloading for one more run.

They’re shedding some keys alongside the O-Line in Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon, however with Dante Moore again beneath heart and Dakarion Moore on the surface, together with a wholesome Evan Stewart, this offense may very well be deadly.

Defensively, the Geese will return a ton of expertise, particularly within the entrance seven, with A’Mauri Washington, Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Bear Alexander all slated to return.

The addition of Koi Perich within the backend is large. As a real freshman with Minnesota in 2025, he was among the best safeties within the nation.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes will lose some key elements from a dominant protection. However OSU has already addressed a few of these points by means of the portal.

A pair of Alabama transfers, James Smith and Qua Russaw, ought to step proper into the defensive entrance. They’ll lose Caleb Downs within the again finish, however items are in place for the protection to be actually good once more.

Julian Sayin returns at QB with a yr beneath his belt and can nonetheless have Jeremiah Smith at his disposal on the surface and Bo Jackson working the ball.

The offense must be explosive in 2026.

3. Texas Longhorns

After a little bit of a sluggish begin, Arch Manning turned issues on within the again half of the season, and within the Longhorns bowl win, he seemed each little bit of the Heisman favourite for subsequent season.

The offense will probably be loaded with Cam Coleman becoming a member of Ryan Wingo at WR and the addition of Raleek Brown provides UT one other playmaker within the backfield.

The protection misplaced some key items, however the addition of Will Muschamp at DC is a large get.

4. Indiana Hoosiers

The nationwide champs might want to substitute a Heisman winner at QB, however Josh Hoover would possibly simply match the Mike Shanahan offense even higher than Fernando Mendoza.

The TCU switch may have loads of weapons at his disposal with Charlie Becker returning at WR and the addition of Nick Marsh. The offense has the potential to be stronger.

Defensively, Indiana was dominant in 2025 and that unit may have quite a lot of key contributors to switch, however the Hoosiers suffered some accidents, particularly alongside the road in 2025 and didn’t miss a beat with the backups.

I’d anticipate that unit to fly round and make performs as soon as once more in 2026. The switch class for the Hoosiers was rated among the many finest within the nation. And people rankings clearly don’t imply a lot to Curt Cignetti as he gained the title with a bunch of three-stars and decrease.

Indiana could be a newcomer on the nationwide stage, however Cignetti’s crew seems to be like they could keep there for some time.

5. Notre Dame Preventing Irish

The Irish had been overlooked of the playoffs in 2025 after which they took their ball and went residence. They need to be proper again within the combine in 2026.

At QB CJ Carr will probably be again and must be even higher in his second season beneath heart.

They lose each of their two headed monster at RB with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Worth however mustn’t miss a beat with Aneyas Williams, who averaged 9.3 yards per carry in 2025, toting the ball.

The protection returns 9 of its prime ten tacklers from 2025. The entrance 4 of that protection will even get a lift from the additions of Francis Brewu and Keon Keeley.

They add depth within the backend with DJ MCkinney and Jayden Sanders coming in.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs had been younger in 2025, and with that youth nonetheless gained the SEC and made the playoffs. Down years for Kirby Sensible and the Dawgs are profession makers for some!

The evident spot on the roster that may have holes is at receiver. Talyn Taylor and CJ Wiley will probably be requested to step up of their sophomore seasons, and the addition of Isaiah Canion from Georgia Tech will assist.

The secondary will should be rebuilt, however they’ve the elements to get it achieved with the addition of Gentry Williams, Khalil Barnes, Braylon Conley, and Ja’Marley Riddle. The DBs might all be new faces, however they will all play.

The schedule is favorable for UGA they usually look to “rebound” from their “down” season.

7. Texas Tech Pink Raiders

Last season, the Pink Raiders gained their first outright convention title since 1955, they usually look to reload in 2026. Tech had the perfect portal class in 2025, and the 2026 model can be among the many finest within the nation.

Coming off a shutout loss to Oregon within the Orange Bowl, TTU introduced in Brendan Sorsby at QB, and that must be an enormous improve for the offense.

The previous Indiana and Cincinnati QB may have a ton of weapons to work with as Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams return, and the Raiders added some speedy move catchers within the portal.

Whereas the offense must be loads higher in 2026, the protection may have some questions and a ton of expertise to switch. They received a pair of monsters within the move rush with the additions of Adam Trick and Trey White.

Austin Romaine is an effective get from Kansas State within the center, however will probably be arduous for him to switch the manufacturing of Jacob Rodriguez.

8. Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies began off the 2025 11-0, and it seemed like Mike Elko’s squad was primed to do some injury within the postseason.

That unblemished begin became a pair of losses to shut issues out as they bumped into immediately red-hot Texas within the common season finale and a white-hot Miami squad within the playoff opener.

They return some key figures on offense, with Marcel Reed returning to direct the ship, together with one in all his finest targets in Mario Craver. The offensive line must be improved with a plethora of expertise added alongside the road by means of the portal.

On protection, they lose Cashious Howell, however the additions of Anto Saka, Angelo McCullom, and CJ Mimms ought to make the move rush probably the most formidable within the nation subsequent fall.

9. Miami Hurricanes

For the previous couple of years in each my preseason ballot and this model of it, I’ve had the Hurricanes ranked excessive.

My remark has been, “Yearly plainly I purchase into the truth that the Canes are again, yearly that hype bites me a bit.”

Nicely, it definitely appears that The U is certainly again. Mario Cristobal may have a job forward of him to get again to the title recreation in 2026, however the group must be the favourite to win the ACC—one thing they didn’t do in 2025.

Offensively, returning Mark Fletcher at RB and Malachi Toney on the surface is large. Irrespective of who finally ends up working issues at QB—Darian Mensah, previously of Duke, would match into this offense like a glove—may have expertise to work with.

The protection will should be reworked as quite a lot of NFL expertise will probably be gone subsequent season. However I believe we will lastly say the Canes are again and must be a power as soon as once more.

10. BYU Cougars

Okalani Sitake can flat-out coach.

There might not be a coach within the nation who will get extra out of his gamers than the pinnacle man in Provo, and if there’s, he was in all probability the one elevating the massive trophy in Miami earlier this week.

Now, not solely can Sitake coach them up, however this season the expertise degree must be the best the Cougars have seen in a while.

The o-line will get a lift this season from a great switch haul, getting the likes of Paki Finau, Zak Yamauchi, and Jr Sia.  And with Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin, a pair of stars, returning to function behind the road, the offense ought to produce.

The protection will get an enormous increase within the type of Cade Uluave coming in from Cal. The Cougs are 23-4 over the past two seasons, and there appears to be no slowing down.

This group may very well be primed for a Large XII title and playoff run in 2026.

11. Ole Miss Rebels

The Rebels might have misplaced Lane Kiffin and a number of the offensive employees, however Pete Golding did a really good job of directing the group within the playoffs, and maybe even extra importantly, he stored quite a lot of their prime contributors in Oxford.

Amongst these sticking round are Kewan Lacy at RB and Will Echoles on the D-line. These are each fairly good gamers to construct round.

The standing of Trinidad Chambliss remains to be up within the air pending the QBs legislation swimsuit to achieve one other yr. If he’s behind heart subsequent fall, the Rebels may very well be higher than eleventh, however Deuce Knight will surely be environment friendly at QB.

The defenses ought to have been upgraded in an enormous method by means of the portal.

Ole Miss may need a distinct look to it in 2026, however the Rebels ought to as soon as once more discover a spot within the playoffs.

12. USC Trojans

Lincoln Riley in all probability wants to provide in an enormous method in 2026, at the least it seems like he does.

One factor is for positive in what may very well be a make-or-break yr—the Trojans’ offense will probably be loaded. Jayden Maiava is again, as are working backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan, together with all 5 starters from the road.

The main move catchers will should be changed, however the Trojans have a budding star in Tanook Hines, and we noticed that within the Alamo Bowl.

The Trojans might want to substitute loads on protection in 2026, together with DC D’Anton Lynn, who left for Penn State.

However, whereas expertise will should be changed, the defensive numbers weren’t nice in 2025, rating within the backside half of the Large Ten in whole protection and scoring protection.

If the Trojans can get issues occurring that aspect of the ball, 2026 may very well be a particular season for USC.

13. Oklahoma Sooners

In the 4 seasons beneath Brent Venables, the Sooners have gone 10-3 twice; they’ve additionally gone 6-7 twice.

The important thing in 2026 will probably be to maintain the momentum and never have one other setback. When John Mateer was wholesome in 2025, the Sooners seemed like among the best groups within the nation.

Subsequent fall he will probably be absolutely healed from the damaged bone in his hand, and the Sooners will want him to play just like the Heisman favourite he was within the first half of 2025.

He may have targets to throw to with Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone becoming a member of the fold. Livingstone presents dimension within the redzone at 6-foot-4 and might stretch the sphere as properly.

The protection loses quite a lot of depth, particularly alongside the road, however the entrance seven ought to trigger quite a lot of issues for opponents. The secondary would be the energy of the protection, and Venables all the time will get probably the most from his defenses.

14. LSU Tigers

Lane Kiffin builds packages, and he wins video games. He wins quite a lot of video games, and his groups rating quite a lot of factors.

Now, a number of the larger video games have eluded him. Will he lastly be capable to get these wins in Baton Rouge?

The offensive weapons will probably be in place for the Tigers to attain a ton of factors this season. Sam Leavitt would be the QB, and LSU has loaded up on move catchers for him.

Final season, the offensive line for LSU was suspect, and Kiffin made that one other portal precedence.

On protection, the Tigers retained DC Blake Baker and received star LB Whit Weeks to come back again. Each ought to increase a protection that may get principally re-tooled and might want to step up if Kiffin is to lastly take that subsequent step.

15. Washington Huskies

Jedd Fisch’s greatest win within the offseason was getting Demond Williams Jr. to recommit to the Huskies after flirting with the switch portal.

They weren’t as fortunate with Adam Mohammad, who surprisingly entered the portal. Couple that departure with Jonah Coleman leaving for the NFL, and UW has over 300 scrimmage touches to switch subsequent season.

There appears to be some potential replacements in Seattle, nonetheless. They add Jayden Limar to the backfield from Oregon, however I believe Brian Bonner will step up for the Huskies in an enormous method this fall.

Denzel Boston is off to the NFL, and Raiden Vines-Vivid transferred to ASU, however the Huskies reloaded within the portal, and a few proficient pass-catchers stay.

Washington will probably be loaded at LB, and the entrance seven ought to make issues tough on opposing offenses. The secondary may have new faces which can be going to wish to step up shortly.

The Huskies ended 2025 as a group on the rise, and I believe that momentum will carry into the autumn.

16. Michigan Wolverines

The Kyle Whittingham period begins in Michigan, and if there ever was an ideal match of coach and program, that is it.

The Wolverines have been a sizzling mess off the sphere the previous couple of years with scandals, and Whittingham is the coach this system wants proper now.

The pinnacle man was seemingly getting compelled out at Utah, and the Wolverines supplied the 66-year-old head coach the chance show himself as soon as once more at an influence college.

Now, how shortly can this good marriage produce? Nicely, a slew of transfers from Utah ought to maintain the Michigan protection as mighty because it has been in latest seasons.

The offense has playmakers in place with RB Jordan Marchall and WR Andrew March ready to make impacts. Directing the offense will once more be QB Bryce Underwood, who ought to make marked enchancment in his sophomore season.

Search for Whittingham and the Wolverines to come back up huge in 2026.

17. SMU Mustangs

Okevin Jennings will once more be again at QB, and that may be a actually great place for the Mustangs to begin.

SMU took a small step again in 2025 after their playoff run in 2024, however Jennings was nonetheless very potent, throwing for 3,641 yards and 26 TDs. However for SMU to climb again to the 2024 degree, he’ll want to chop again on the interceptions.

SMU may have a bruising runner in Kendrick Raphael this season, and the offensive line will probably be a energy.

Defensively, there are quite a lot of questions, however the line and secondary had been priorities in the course of the portal interval. How properly that unit performs will decide if SMU takes a step in direction of a playoff return or slides for one more season.

18. Houston Cougars

The Cougars gained 10 video games in 2025. Sure, the bounce for Willie Fritz and UH from season one (4-8) to season two (10-3) was outstanding and fairly probably the quietest 10-win season in historical past.

A big a part of that success was the play of Conner Weigman, and the QB will probably be again in 2026.

He has a playmaker to throw the ball to in Amare Thomas and Makhi Hughes, who ought to produce at RB (however I additionally thought he’d be an All-Large Ten performer for Oregon final July).

There are some holes alongside the road, however the Cougars seemed to deal with these within the portal. A protection that was surprisingly stable in 2025 returns virtually each key participant and may get a lift from the addition of Javion White at security.

The Cougars might or might not be a 10-win group in 2026, however they definitely will make extra noise than they did final fall.

19. Alabama Crimson Tide

Tlisted here are sizzling seats, after which there’s the seat that Kalen DeBoer is occupying heading into the 2026 season. Proper or fallacious, the Tide might want to win, or DeBoer’s keep in Tuscaloosa may very well be quick.

And successful in Alabama appears to be outlined in a different way than successful wherever else.

Ty Simpson is headed to the NFL, however the Bama employees is basically excessive on Keelon Russell. The QB has an enormous arm and the accuracy to be an elite thrower, particularly beneath DeBoer—the man can coach, regardless of what some within the south assume.

The large drawback for the Tide on offense in 2025 was the bottom recreation, and the addition of Ezavier Crowell must be a lift for the working assault.

As ought to additions on the road by means of the portal, notably within the type of Ty Hayward at deal with and heart Kaden Strayhorn.

The Tide might want to get higher on protection, particularly up entrance. The entrance seven will should be retooled this season, and that improvement may very well be the distinction in a make-or-break season.

20. Iowa Hawkeyes

For a few years it was “What if Iowa had a mediocre offense to associate with that protection?”

Nicely, final season the offense was positively mediocre and an enormous improve from previous Iowa squads, however the protection was not fairly as dominant.

What you bought was a 9-4 group that misplaced these 4 video games by a complete of 14 factors—one in all them a rivalry recreation vs ISU, a pair of them to Indiana and Oregon, and the fourth at USC.

So, to reply the query, Iowa is a very good soccer group with a little bit of offense. The protection might want to substitute some gamers, however Kirk Ferentz and Phil Parker are all the time going to have a stingy protection.

Offensively, the bottom recreation will probably be implausible with Kamari Moulton and LJ Phillips. There will probably be a battle at QB, and whoever wins the beginning spot (I believe will probably be Jeremy Hecklinski), and if they’re sensible with the soccer, this may very well be a harmful Iowa group.

21. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville seemed like a lock for the ACC’s playoff spot three-quarters of the best way into the season. They had been 7-1 with a win over Miami on the resume.

Not solely did Louisville miss the playoffs, however they didn’t even make the ACC Championship recreation.

They misplaced three straight after Isaac Brown and his 8.8 yards per carry went down. He will probably be again in 2026, and the Playing cards ought to have a formidable one-two punch of ball carriers with him and Keyjuan Brown working the ball.

Lincoln Kienholz ought to provide extra manufacturing within the passing recreation at QB.

Louisville’s protection was among the many finest within the nation in 2025, but it surely might want to substitute 5 starters from that unit.

22. Utah Utes

The excellent news for the Utes is that Devon Dampier will probably be again in 2026, and he may have an electrical receiver at his disposal in Braden Pegan.

Wayshawn Parker will even be again to run the ball, and that provides the Utes playmakers on offense.

The unhealthy information is that the offensive line that was loaded with NFL potential will see these guys on NFL groups within the fall.

The Utes additionally misplaced a ton of distinction makers on protection to Michigan.

Morgan Scalley was the architect of the Utah protection, and I believe he’ll rebuild that unit shortly.

23. Virginia Tech Hokies

James Franklin has hit the bottom working in Blacksburg.

He has introduced a number of gamers with him from Penn State, together with QB Ethan Grunkemeyer and TE Luke Reynolds.

Grunkemeyer completed the season on a sizzling streak for Penn State after taking up the QB spot when Drew Allar received damage.

The Hokies ought to have a stable protection. Javion Hilson may very well be a disruptive move rusher, and Jaquez White has the potential to be a lockdown nook.

Will Franklin be capable to win the massive ones with Va Tech? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient, however this season he solely must win sufficient video games to make them related once more.

24. Arizona Wildcats

Blease Brennan and the Wildcats completed the season 5-1 of their final six, with the lone loss within the Vacation Bowl.

It was fairly the turnaround from yr one beneath Brennan and presents momentum heading into 2026.

Noah Fifita is coming again for his fourth season, and the QB seemed much more just like the 2023 model than the 2024 mannequin on the again finish of final season.

The Wildcats should substitute some manufacturing at WR and RB, however have a deep group returning at each spots.

The secondary was a precedence within the portal for a unit that was among the many finest within the nation towards the move final season. Danny Gonzalez is among the many finest DC’s within the nation, and Arizona will probably be stout on that aspect of the ball in 2026.

25. Boise State Broncos

The rarity amongst profitable Group of Six packages is the power to maintain their head coach after success.

However the Broncos have maintained beneath Spencer Danielson, and the three-time MW champion coach will now navigate the Broncos by means of the brand new Pac-12.

The Broncos return a ton of playmakers, together with QB Maddux Madsen and the RB combo of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines.

What the offense might want to substitute is manufacturing on the road. The Broncos might want to fill the void left from a pair of all-conference performers on the offensive entrance.

Defensively the entrance seven will probably be loaded and led by ends Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege. The secondary will should be re-tooled, however the addition of Roman Tillmon ought to assist shore issues up within the backend.