Carter B. Huff Sports

Image – ESPN

After years of awful football in Bloomington, former Alabama assistant Curt Cignetti brought Indiana on an impressive two-year run that will continue into the 2026 season, making the College Football Playoff in 2024 before winning the national championship a year later behind quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a group of impressive veteran transfers.

Over the last two decades, college football was ruled by Southeastern Conference powers Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida and Georgia. However, the Hoosiers winning it all proves just about anything can happen in college football, as the age of name, image, and likeness and the transfer portal lives on.

Now, the SEC has not won a national championship since the 2022 season and the Big Ten has won three in a row, including IU’s dominant run last fall. The power struggle will continue on the field now between the sport’s top two conferences after months of discussions in board rooms arguing about College Football Playoff formats.

The Atlantic Coast Conference got a team in the national championship game with Miami finally breaking through in January. The ACC and Big 12 must hope that their teams can get to the Playoff and succeed to remain at the top of the sport.

Two Group of Six teams made the Playoff in 2025, with Tulane and James Madison representing the American and Sun Belt conferences. Both schools bowed out after the opening round and with both of their head coaches, Jon Sumrall (Florida) and Bob Chesney (UCLA), at new institutions, D1 FBS football’s lower-level will look for new representatives for the Group of Six to make the Playoff for the second consecutive season.

College football will return next Saturday with Week 0 to begin the 2026 season before a full 13-week season to follow with complete slates every Saturday in the fall. Enjoy it because it won’t last forever.

Below, are my projected conference standings, top games in each conference, awards, who is winning each conference championship game, my College Football Playoff projections and who is winning the national championship game.

*All statistics come from College Football Reference.*

Power Four Projections:

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Image – Canes Warning

Projected Order of Finish
Miami 11-1 (8-0)
SMU 10-2 (8-1)
Louisville 9-3 (7-2)
Virginia 10-2 (6-2)
Pittsburgh 9-3 (6-3)
North Carolina State 8-4 (5-3)
Clemson 7-5 (5-3)
Virginia Tech 8-4 (5-4)
California 8-4 (4-4)
Georgia Tech 6-6 (4-4)
Duke 5-7 (3-6)
Syracuse 5-7 (3-6)
Florida State 4-8 (2-7)
Wake Forest 4-8 (1-8)
North Carolina 3-9 (1-8)
Stanford 3-9 (1-8)
Boston College 2-10 (0-8)

Link to my game-by-game ACC football projections.

Last season, a 9-5 Duke team won the ACC after a six-way tie for second place helped them appear in the conference’s championship game against Virginia. On the arm of quarterback Darian Mensah, the Blue Devils defeated the Cavaliers 27-20 in overtime.

After a crazy 42-39 victory over Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl where Mensah threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns, he earned MVP honors. Following their victory over the Sun Devils, Durham awaited head coach Manny Diaz’s fourth season as head coach with excitement.

A two-loss Miami team, despite being on the wrong end of the tiebreaker in the ACC, made their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. Quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver Malachi Toney and pass-rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor led the way as they made it all the way to the national championship game.

The Hurricanes defeated Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss on their way to the national championship game where they lost to Miami native Fernando Mendoza and Indiana, 27-21 in their home stadium.

Now, as the 2026 season begins, Mario Cristobal’s team is the favorite to win the ACC and make another playoff run. They gave Duke quarterback Darian Mensah a handsome paycheck, in addition to his Blue Devil receiver Cooper Barkate, who caught 72 passes for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns from Mensah to get both players to leave Durham and come play for the Hurricanes.

With the additions of Mensah and Barkate, the Miami offense is in position for another big season, especially with talented wideout Malachi Toney and tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. Senior left tackle Matthew McCoy is the only one of five offensive linemen returning so that question must be answered if this team wants to make a similar run to the one they made in January.

The losses of Bain and Mesidor will sting, Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II joins returners Ahmad Moten Sr., Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot on what should be another defensive line that should make a lot of plays. Behind them, inside linebacker Mohamed Toure, cornerbacks Romanas Frederique Jr., Xavier Lucas and safety Zechariah Poyser return as leaders of the unit.

After making the College Football Playoff in their first season in the ACC back in 2024, SMU followed it up with another solid season, going 9-4 and 6-2 in conference play. The same quarterback that led them to the playoff, Kevin Jennings, has reached his senior year and can lead his team there again with three other returning starters, left tackle PJ Williams, center Joshua Bates and right guard Addison Nichols. Jennings’ offensive weapons are all new, including California transfer tailback Jaden Raphael, Alabama transfer receiver Jalen Hale and Texas A&M transfer tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom.

Four returning starters including linebackers Alexander Kilgore, Brandon Booker and cornerback William Nettles and Marcellus Barnes Jr. Eight transfers join them, headlined by three defensive linemen, Christian Davis, Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Tavion Atkinson, that will look to get a pass rush going for Rhett Lashlee’s team.

Led by alumnus Jeff Brohm, Louisville has succeeded, winning nine games last season. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz is the next quarterback to play for Brohm after leaving another school. Kienholz’s running ability will complement All-ACC tailback Isaac Brown. Returning wide receivers Treyshaun Hurry and Lawayne McCoy joins transfers Tre Richardson and Brody Foley as weapons for Kienholz down the field.

The Cardinals return three linebackers including seniors Stanquan Clark, Antonio Watts and junior TJ Capers. Tackles Demeco Kennedy and Joshua Donald join the UL defensive line alongside ends returning starter Clev Lubins and AJ Green, who will start for the first time this season. Cornerback Tayon Holloway leads the secondary that also includes three transfers, DJ Waller Jr. next to Holloway next to Waller, safeties Koen Entringer and Kaleb Beasley.

After appearing in the ACC Championship game back in December, Virginia will look to do the same thing this season. Former Clemson assistant Tony Elliott has only gone 22-26 over four seasons but he has gotten the Cavaliers on the right track. Their main focus in the off-season was retaining their veteran offensive line, that includes left tackle McKale Boley, Noah Josey and center Drake Metcalf. Missouri transfer Beau Pribula will step in behind center, after a solid season in Columbia. Elliott has to replace All-ACC running back J’Mari Taylor but they have five options that make sense, including projected starter Peyton Lewis.

Linebacker Kam Robinson and tackle Jason Hammond lead the UVA defense up the middle. End Fisher Camac and safety Ethan Minter join Robinson and Hammond as returners. Matthew Fobbs-White will play on the other end of the line from Camac and Brandyn Hillman will play across from Minter at safety. Transfer Jacobie Henderson joins Maddox Marcellus and Corey Costner, who will step into linebacker roles.

Pittsburgh started 2-2 in 2025 but thanks to quarterback Mason Heintschel, who came in off the bench and led the Panthers to 6-3 finish (8-5 record)and six wins in the ACC. Three of five starting offensive linemen return, including right tackle BJ Williams, right guard BJ Williams and center Ryan Carretta. Cataurus Hicks and Bryce Yates return at receiver while tight end Carson Kent will step in as the starter.

Senior Braylan Lovelace has a chance to be Pittsburgh’s next great linebacker. After an 80-tackle season in 2025, he will pair with Cameron Lindsey at the position. Returners Isaiah Neal, Nick James, Sean FitzSimmons and Jimmy Scott headline the line while free safety Cruce Brookins will lead a secondary with new starters Josh Guerrier, Shawn Lee Jr. and Shedarian Harrison.

North Carolina State, Clemson, Virginia Tech, California and Georgia Tech are all teams that can contend in an ACC without a true favorite except for Miami. Duke, Syracuse, Florida State and Wake Forest are in the next tier, with the potential to get into the above tier but an upset of a team above them is more likely.

North Carolina, Stanford and Boston College will make up the bottom of the ACC.

Top Non-Conference Games:
No. 1 Miami at Notre Dame (Nov. 7)
No. 2 Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Sept. 12; Nashville)
No. 3 Clemson at LSU (Sept. 5)
No. 4 Florida State at Alabama (Sept. 19)
No. 5 SMU at Notre Dame (Nov. 21)

Top Conference Games:
No. 1 SMU at Louisville (Sept. 19)
No. 2 Miami at Clemson (Oct. 3)
No. 3 Virginia at Virginia Tech (Nov. 28)
No. 4 Virginia Tech at Miami (Nov. 20)
No. 5 Duke at Miami (Nov. 14)

Conference Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Malachi Toney, Wide Receiver, Miami
2025 Statistics: 109 receptions, 1,211 yards, 23 rushes, 113 yards, 1 touchdown
Defensive Player of the Year: Sammy Brown, Linebacker, Clemson
2025 Statistics: 51 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble
Special Teams Player of the Year: Aidan Birr, Kicker, Georgia Tech
2025 Statistics: 45-45 on extra points, 25-29 on field goals, 120 points
Freshman of the Year: Jackson Cantwell, Right Tackle, Miami
2025 Statistics: N/A (Freshman)
Newcomer of the Year: Damon Wilson, Defensive Lineman, Miami
2025 Statistics: 9 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery (at Missouri)
Coach of the Year: Rhett Lashley, SMU

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 5 in Charlotte): Miami (12-1) over SMU (10-3)

Big 12

Image – Texas Tech Athletics

Projected Order of Finish
1.Texas Tech 11-1 (8-1)
BYU 10-2 (8-1)
3.Utah 10-2 (7-2)
5.Arizona 9-3 (6-3)
Houston 9-3 (6-3)
Kansas State 9-3 (6-3)
8.West Virginia 8-4 (5-4)
Arizona State 7-5 (5-4)
Oklahoma State 7-5 (5-4)
11.TCU 7-5 (4-5)
Baylor 6-6 (4-5)
13.Cincinnati 6-6 (3-6)
14.Kansas 3-9 (1-8)
Colorado 3-9 (1-8)
UCF 3-9 (1-8)
Iowa State 2-10 (1-8)

Link to my game-by-game Big 12 football projections.

Texas Tech won the Big 12 after an undefeated regular season, dominating BYU 34-7. Butkus Award winner Jacob Rodriguez and the Red Raider defense helped TTU win the conference title and make the College Football Playoff for the first time.

Texas Tech fell to Oregon in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl after their successful regular season. To build on their success, Joey McGuire and his staff added Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

After he moved on from the Red Raiders following speaking up about his betting addiction, they will have to refocus on having another successful season, leaving the Sorsby situation in the past. Thus, there is some uncertainty at quarterback. After last year’s backup Will Hammond tore his ACL last season, Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis has emerged as the favorite for the job. Six returning starters join Francis on the offense, including tailback Cameron Dickey, wide receiver Coy Eakin, tight end Terrance Carter Jr., left tackle Howard Sampson and right tackle Jacob Ponton.

Replacing several NFL Draft picks, including, pass-rusher David Bailey, will be difficult for the Texas Tech defense in 2026. Transfers Trey White, who totaled 19.5 sacks in his last two seasons at San Diego State and Adam Trick, who had 12.5 sacks last season at Miami (Ohio), will attempt to replace the production of Bailey. Kansas State transfer Austin Romain will pair up next to Big 12 Championship Game Most Outstanding Player Ben Roberts at inside linebacker. All-Big 12 cornerback Ben Pollack, who collected five interceptions last season, returns to lead the secondary.

Bear Bachmeier returns at quarterback and LJ Martin returns next to him at running back, forming a great duo that could potentially lead BYU back to the Big 12 Championship game and the College Football Playoff for the first time. Returners Jojo Phillips, Cody Hagen join transfers Kyler Kasper and Walker Lyons as pass catchers. Center Bruce Mitchell and right tackle Andrew Gentry will lead the offensive line to get their offense down the field.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham’s departure to Michigan caused a problem for Cougars’ defensive. Coordinator Jay Hill has joined his former coach in Ann Arbor so to replace him, head coach Kalani Sitake put special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga in the role. Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa and former Cal linebacker Cade Uluave will head the front seven while safety Faletau Satuala will help the new secondary coaches get settled in.

Utah’s Whittingham’s retirement and then exit to Michigan caused uproar in Salt Lake City, and as a result, veteran defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has taken over the program as the new head coach. Also, the offense is changing as a result of coordinator’s Jason Beck’s departure to follow his boss to Ann Arbor.

Utah State’s Kevin McGiven arrives to replace Beck as offensive coordinator, where they will look to establish a quality passing game while continuing with a strong running game. Dynamic quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin play an impressive two quarterback system next to returning tailback Wayshawn Parker. No other starters return for the Utes’ following Whittingham/s departure.

Arizona returns reigning first team All-Big 12 quarterback Noah Fifita, who needs 829 yards to pass Nick Foles for the most passing yards in program history. Seth Doege is the first offensive coordinator to return for a second season next to Fifita, who also gets wide receiver Tre Spivey, right guard Alexander Doost and right tackle Tristan Bounds. Senior running backs Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig will form a duo together while receivers Chris Hunter and Giovanni Richardson will step into starting roles next to transfer tight end Cole Rusk.

Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales signed a contract extension this off-season after he was named a Broyles Award semifinalist. The success of the Wildcat defense will be reliant on four returning starters, including end Tre Smith, tackle Leroy Palu and linebackers Chase Kennedy and Taye Brown. Incoming transfers fill the secondary after the departures of Treydan Stukes, Gensis Smith and Dalton Johnson.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman is coming off a career-best season where he threw for 2,705 yards, 25 touchdowns and rushed for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns for Houston. All-Big 12 receiver Amare Thomas, who had 12 touchdowns and nearly missed 1,000 yards last season, running back Makhi Hughes, who rushed for almost 3,000 yards at Tulane and UTSA transfer tight end Tanner Koziol are the weapons that returned for Weigman. Right guard McKenzie Agnello is the only one of five offensive linemen that returns, this time for his senior season.

Second-year defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong lost most of his talent to graduation after last season. The strength of the unit is the secondary with All-Big 12 cornerback Will James, free safety Kentrell Webb and strong safety Jordan Allen all returning after starting 13 games last season. The Cougars’ top tackler last season, Carlos Allen, must be replaced up front with returners Khalil Laufau, Brandon Mack II and transfers Ashton Porter and De’Marion Thomas set to play on the line. Sione Fotu is back at middle linebacker after starting 12 games at the position last season next to weakside backer Carmycah Glass.

Experienced quarterback Avery Johnson is back for his senior season at Kansas State. He is the single-season leader and career co-leader for touchdown passes in program history. His tailback Joe Jackson, wide receiver Jaron Tibbs, tight end Garrett Oakley and left tackle John Pastore are back alongside two transfers on the offensive line, two transfers at receiver and a right tackle expected to step in as a starter.

After losing almost all of their defensive starters from 2025, the Wildcats relied on the transfer portal to fill the depth chart. The defensive end needed the most attention, with end Wendell Gregory coming over from Oklahoma State. Jordan Allen and Elijah Hill will compete to play at the other end. Returning cornerbacks Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh are the only two players back for the Kansas State defense so they will be trusted as leaders next to a transfer nickleback and safety.

West Virginia, Arizona State, Oklahoma State are all capable of getting to the top of the Big 12 but are in the second tier of the conference in 2026. The Mountaineers begin the second season of Rich Rodriguez’s tenure, the Sun Devils attempt to return to the Big 12 Championship game and the College Football Playoff with a new-look roster under head coach Kenny Dillingham and the Cowboys begin a new era under former North Texas head coach Eric Morris and his quarterback Drew Mestemaker.

TCU, Baylor, Cincinnati are next up in the Big 12. Sonny Dykes’ Horned Frogs won nine games last season so a run to the Big 12 Championship is not out of the question, especially with returning new starters. Baylor must start the season fast if head coach Dave Aranda wants to remain on staff beyond 2026. It will be interesting to see if Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway can have a positive impact on the Bears’ season this fall. Cincinnati, after losing Sorsby, and all of their offensive weapons from last season, Scott Satterfield will hope his team can give him similar results to what he got last season or better.

Kansas, Colorado, UCF and Iowa State represent the bottom of the Big 12. The Jayhawks look to return back to a bowl game after a 5-7 mark in 2025 while Deion Sanders hopes his Buffaloes back to where his son Shedeur and teammate Travis Hunter had them a few years ago. The Knights’ fans must hope that the second tenure of head coach Scott Frost must turn around for them to have success. Iowa State is entrusting former Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers to replace Matt Campbell in the same role after he left for Penn State and took most of his starting roster with him.

Top Non-Conference Games:
No. 1 Notre Dame at BYU (Oct. 17)
No. 2 Arizona State at Texas A&M (Sept. 12)
No. 3 Oregon at Oklahoma State (Sept. 12)
No. 4 Missouri at Kansas (Sept. 11)
No. 5 Baylor vs. Auburn (Sept. 5; Atlanta)

Top Conference Games:
No. 1 BYU at Utah (Nov. 7)
No. 2 Houston at Texas Tech (Sept. 25)
No. 3 Houston at Kansas State (Oct. 10)
No. 4 Arizona State at Texas Tech (Oct. 17)
No. 5 Arizona State at Arizona (Nov. 28)

Conference Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: LJ Martin, Running Back, BYU
2025 Statistics: 236 rushes, 1,305 yards, 12 touchdowns, 36 receptions, 255 yards
Defensive Player of the Year: AJ Holmes, Defensive Lineman, Texas Tech
2025 Statistics: 19 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, 4 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Special Teams Player of the Year: Stone Harrington, Kicker, Texas Tech
2025 Statistics: 41-42 on extra points, 22-28 on field goals, 107 points
Freshman of the Year: Kelvin Obot, Offensive Tackle, Utah
2025 Statistics: N/A (Freshman)
Newcomer of the Year: Drew Mestemaker, Quarterback, Oklahoma State
2025 Statistics: 319-463, 4,379 yards, 34 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 57 rushes, 89 yards, 5 touchdowns (at North Texas)
Coach of the Year: Kalani Sitake, BYU

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 4 in Arlington):
Texas Tech (12-1) over BYU (10-3)

Big Ten

Image – Ohio State Buckeyes

Projected Order of Finish
1.Ohio State 11-1 (9-0)
2.Indiana 11-1 (8-1)
Oregon 11-1 (8-1)
4.Iowa 9-3 (6-3)
Illinois 9-3 (6-3)
Michigan 8-4 (6-3)
Penn State 9-3 (6-3)
8.USC 8-4 (5-4)
Nebraska 7-5 (5-4)
Washington 8-4 (5-4)
11.Minnesota 6-6 (4-5)
UCLA 6-6 (4-5)
Wisconsin 6-6 (4-5)
14.Northwestern 4-8 (2-7)
Maryland 4-8 (2-7)
16.Michigan State 3-9 (1-8)
17.Rutgers 3-9 (0-9)
Purdue 1-11 (0-9)

Link to my game-by-game Big Ten football projections

Indiana continued the Big Ten’s streak of three consecutive College Football Playoff National Championships after defeating Miami at Hard Rock Stadium back in January. The Hoosiers continued the conference’s streak after Michigan (2023) and Ohio State (2024) won it all the previous two seasons.

Now, as a new season is about to begin, the Hoosiers, Buckeyes and Oregon are three of the favorites to win it this season. All Midwesterners want the Big Ten’s dominance to continue on the gridiron, especially over the SEC but I worry the conference’s depth is not up to par if the league’s three best teams, at least on paper, don’t match their pre-season projection.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin can be a Heisman contender again this season, especially with one of the nation’s top receivers, Jeremiah Smith returning. Receiver Brandon Innis and running back Bo Jackson should also make a great impact this season. Sayin will also get the help of playing behind four returning offensive line, meaning he should have a lot of time in the pocket to get the ball down the field this season.

The Buckeyes’ lost three important contributors from the nation’s top defense in 2025, pass-rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs. Larry Johnson, James Laurinaitis and Tim Walton are all elite and should develop to replace their production sometime this season. The line will feature Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Alabama transfer James Smith while the linebacking core will need to learn on the fly. Jermaine Matthews Jr. steps into the top corner role where he will play alongside Terry Moore, who will play at free safety.

Indiana will rely on former TCU signal-caller Josh Hoover to replace Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza behind center. Sophomore Khobie Martin will step in at running back alongside returners Charlie Becker, Tyler Morris and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh at wide receiver. Hoover should be set up to succeed in this offense after his time in Fort Worth.

The Hoosier defense returns six starters in addition to two top transfer adds, defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi and cornerback AJ Harris. Of the six returners, tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino and linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones should make the most impact. As such, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines should be able to create similar havoc that he did a year ago.

It is now or never for Oregon. Dan Lanning and the Ducks can win a national championship this season. Dante Moore is one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks alongside a duo of tailbacks Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., who both served as backups last season. Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan return at wide receiver for their second seasons in Eugene alongside UAB transfer Iverson Hooks. Jamari Johnson returns at tight end and he should be an impactful piece for Moore as well.

Oregon’s entire defensive front from 2025 is back for another season, including end Mateo Uiagalelei, tackle Bear Alexander, tackle A’Mauri Washington and Teitum Tuioti. Veterans Jerry Mixon and Devon Jackson are the inside linebackers for Chris Hampton’s defense while both Brandon Finney Jr. and Ify Obidegwu both return as starters at the corner positions. Aaron Flowers leads the safety group, where he will play alongside Minnesota transfer Koi Perich.

If new starting quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski pans out and defensive coordinator Phil Parker continues to succeed at Iowa, the Hawkeyes could be in for a good season. Bret Bielema’s Illinois team is always one step away from making the College Football Playoff, with a program record 19 wins over the last two seasons. If that continues in 2026, watch out for the Fighting Illini.

Can quarterback Bryce Underwood take the next step under new head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck? Michigan went 9-4 in 2025 with an easy schedule but a much more difficult grind awaits the new coaching staff but familiar roster in 2026. Penn State was lucky Matt Campbell was available in December and left Iowa State. With 24 of the 40 incoming transfers for the Nittany Lions coming from the Cyclones, the success of PSU will rely heavily on them

Much of the media in the pre-season are picking USC to make a run to the College Football Playoff this season thanks to returning quarterback Jayden Maiava and the hiring of new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. Head coach Lincoln Riley enters his fourth season in Los Angeles and if they don’t meet the pre-season expectations, things might go south. Similarly, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule must have a successful season after back-to-back bowl appearances. An eight or nine win season is what the fans in Lincoln should expect.

Washington needs quarterback Demond Williams to take the next step if they want a quality season in 2026. This is especially true with road trips to USC, Nebraska and Oregon coming this season. Similarly for Minnesota, the Golden Gophers need their signal-caller, Drake Lindsey to take a leap to be successful. If that happens, Minnesota can continue to be a top half team in the Big Ten, despite not having as much NIL money as other programs in the conference.

UCLA should begin to have success from former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins looked to what Indiana did, going to the Dukes’ program and hiring Curt Cignetti and two years later, they have won a national championship. It may take longer than it did in Bloomington, but it is coming for UCLA, who will be led again by former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Wisconsin is not far from the bottom of the Big Ten but the way the schedule breaks up for them, they should have success. Head coach Luke Fickell is only 17-21 in three seasons in Madison so a better season should be required for him if he wants to remain as the Badgers’ head coach.

Beyond Wisconsin, there are five teams in the Big Ten that should finish near the bottom of the standings. Northwestern, Maryland, Michigan State, Rutgers, Purdue are all teams that don’t have the monetary resources to keep their programs atop of the league.

Top Non-Conference Games:
No. 1 Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
No. 2 Oklahoma at Michigan (Sept. 12)
No. 3 Oregon at Oklahoma State (Sept. 12)
No. 4 Iowa at Iowa State (Sept. 12; Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Sept. 6; Green Bay; Shamrock Series)

Top Conference Games:
No. 1 Ohio State at Indiana (Oct. 17)
No. 2 Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 28)
No. 3 Oregon at Ohio State (Nov. 7)
No. 4 Oregon at USC (Sept. 26)
No. 5 Indiana at Michigan (Oct. 24)

Conference Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
2025 Statistics: 87 receptions, 1,243 yards, 12 touchdowns, 3 rushes, 21 yards, 1 touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Year: Rolijah Hardy, Linebacker, Indiana
2025 Statistics: 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 5 passes defended
Special Teams Player of the Year: Nico Raidcic, Kicker, Indiana
2025 Statistics: 87-87 on extra points, 18-19 on field goals, 141 total points
Freshman of the Year: Luke Wafle, Edge, USC
2025 Statistics: N/A (Freshman)
Newcomer of the Year: Josh Hoover, Quarterback, Indiana
2025 Statistics: 272-413, 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 55 rushes, 4 yards, 2 touchdowns
Coach of the Year: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 5 in Indianapolis): Ohio State (12-1) over Indiana (11-2)

FBS Independents

Image – FBSchedules.com

Projected Order of Finish
Notre Dame (12-0)
Connecticut (6-6)

Link to my game-by-game FBS Independents football projections.

Top Games:
No. 1 Miami at Notre Dame (Nov. 7)
No. 2 Notre Dame at BYU (Oct. 17)
No. 3 SMU at Notre Dame (Nov. 21)
No. 4 Navy at Notre Dame (Oct. 24)
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Sept. 6; Green Bay; Shamrock Series)

Notre Dame missed the College Football Playoff in 2025 despite a 10-2 record. Back-to-back losses to open the season against Miami and Texas A&M, two teams that made the playoff, ended up being the crucial blows that kept them out of the event.

Following the Fighting Irish’s exclusion from the playoff, they will now be assured of making the event if it is ranked in the top 12, starting this season, athletics director Pete Bevacqua said to multiple sources. That more than upset fanbases around the country, and it will continue to happen because Notre Dame’s only tough games should be against BYU (Oct. 17), Miami (Nov. 7) and SMU (Nov. 21).

Returning quarterback CJ Carr will be the focus of the Fighting Irish offense that lost running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who were both selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Carr threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns to only six interceptions.

Carr will throw to returners Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse in addition to first time starter Micah Gilbert on the outside at receiver. Tight ends Cooper Flanagan and Ty Washington form a solid duo at tight end. Tailbacks Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. don’t have the same explosiveness as Love or Price but both can break tackles at an impressive level.

Notre Dame returns seven starters on defense for second year coordinator Chris Ashby. Linebackers Drayk Bown, Kingston Viliamu-Asa, cornerback Leonard Moore and safeties Adon Shuleer and Brauntae Johnson helped the Irish to the nation’s No. 10 scoring defense (17.6 points per game) in 2025.

Pittsburgh transfer Francis Brewu and Oregon transfer Tionne Gray join returners Jason Onye and Elijah Hughes along the line at tackle. Boubacar Traore will be a guy to watch nationally as a pass-rusher, while Bryce Young should be ready to start as a junior. Former Purdue standout Spencer Porath will look to stabilize the Notre Dame special teams unit after converting 15-of-17 field goals in 2025.

Jim Mora’s final season as head coach at UConn in 2025 ended in a 9-4 season. It was a historic year for the Husky offense, a 3,000-yard passer Joe Fagnano, a 1,000-yard receiver Skyler Bell and a 1,00-yard rusher Cam Edwards. Mora’s team won their last four games of the regular season before a blowout loss to Army in the Fenway Bowl.

Now, former Toledo head coach Jason Candle takes over the same position in Storrs with only one returning starter on the roster. Quarterback Kalieb Osborne and running back Kenji Christian, two former Rockets, followed their head coach but the expectation is that Jake Merklinger and Trey Cornist will start at those positions, respectively.

Youngstown State transfer Ky Wilson and Toledo transfers Jediyah Willoughby and Ryder Treadway will be options down the field at receiver for Merklinger or Osborne while Matt Ragan and Alex Godavitarne will compete for snaps at tight end. Right guard Ty Chan is the only returning starter on the offensive line, next to four incoming transfers expected to start alongside him.

Under new defensive coordinator Ryan Manalac, the strength of the unit should be at linebacker with Toledo transfer K’Von Sherman, Penn transfer John List and Coast Carolina transfer Luke Murphy. Esean Carter, another former Rocket, headlines the defensive line next to fellow tackle Tahjae Mullix and ends Avery Dunn and Anas Luqman.

The defensive backfield is less experienced with multiple players competing for their first starting roles as college football players. Jayden Davis and Tyler McKinstry form a duo at cornerback while Braedyn Moore and Jayden Price do the same at safety.

Notre Dame should be a national championship contender with a top five roster in the sport based on their talent. If the Fighting Irish don’t get there, questions need to be asked about head coach Marcus Freeman, who is labeled as one of the top coaches in the sport.

UConn may not win nine games for the third consecutive season but under Candle, they are in position to remain competitive with the foundation he has in place. It may take a season, but he should have the Huskies ready to compete nationally if he can get the same affect he had at Toledo.

Conference Awards (N/A)

Conference Championship Game (N/A)

Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Image – ESPN

Projected Order of Finish
1.Georgia 11-1 (8-1)
Texas 11-1 (8-1)
3.Oklahoma 9-3 (6-3)
4.Ole Miss 9-3 (6-3)
5.LSU 9-3 (6-3)
6.Tennessee 8-4 (6-3)
7.Alabama 9-3 (6-3)
8.Texas A&M 8-4 (5-4)
9.Florida 8-4 (5-4)
10.South Carolina 7-5 (4-5)
11.Mississippi State 5-7 (2-7)
12.Missouri 5-7 (2-7)
13.Auburn 5-7 (2-7)
14.Kentucky 4-8 (2-7)
15.Arkansas 4-8 (2-7)
16.Vanderbilt 4-8 (1-8)

Link to my game-by-game SEC football projections.

A team from the SEC has not won a College Football Playoff National Championship since 2022, when Georgia won back-to-back titles. Five teams from the league made the playoff in 2025, including Georgia, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas A&M.

Despite Lane Kiffin’s exit from the Rebels, Ole Miss made it the farthest of any SEC school in the playoff, defeating the back-to-back conference champion Bulldogs 39-34 in an exhilarating College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Rebels bowed out a round later to eventual national-runner up Miami in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl.

The Aggies lost their opening round game against Miami, 10-3 at home. Alabama won a rematch versus Oklahoma in the opening round of the playoff before Indiana dominated the Crimson Tide in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl.

Now, the SEC focuses on regaining its dominance on the sport it held from the 2000s with Georgia and Texas as the betting favorites. Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M all are competing to prove they can reach that level and return to the playoff as well.

After winning back-to-back SEC titles, more will be expected of Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs in the playoff. Despite their success in the SEC, they have lost in the quarterfinal round of the 12-team playoff in back-to-back seasons. Veteran quarterback Gunnar Stockton is back behind center next to All-SEC tailback Nate Frazier and his backup, All-SEC freshman teamer Chauncey Bowens.

The question for the Bulldog offense is their wide receivers. Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Cannon headlines the room next to returners London Humphreys and Sacovie White. Three of five offensive lineman starters return for Mike Bobo’s unit as well. Safety KJ Bolden and linebacker Raylen Wilson lead a group of six returning starters for a Georgia defense Kirby Smart is confident has depth.

If Texas does not return to the College Football Playoff in 2026, questions will be asked about head coach Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian’s team dropped many players to the transfer portal to upgrade their roster around quarterback Arch Manning, pass-rusher Colin Simmons and safety Jelani McDonald. Headlining the group of transfers on offense is former Auburn receiver Cam Coleman, former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers and former Arizona State running back Raleek Brown.

Pitt linebacker transfer Rasheem Biles and Rutgers cornerback transfer Bo Mascoe will play for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who returns to Austin to replace Pete Kwiatowski and fill the same role he had under Mack Brown in the late 2000s. Hero Kanu and Alex January return along the defensive line next to Simmons. Graceson Littleton will start next to McDonald after doing the same in 2025.

After an early playoff exit, Oklahoma has a better offensive roster and a defense that still may be one of college football’s top units in 2026. Brent Venables’ team won 10 games last season, only six in 2024, and 10 again in 2023. Consistency is going to be big for him and his Sooners’ program as they enter a critical season.

After dealing with injuries last season, John Mateer comes off of a season where he threw only 14 touchdowns compare to 11 interceptions. Assuming Mateer is fully healthy for most of if not all of the season, he has more weapons to throw to, including returning All-SEC receiver Isaiah Sategna, Texas transfer Parker Livingstone, and Virginia transfer Trell Harris and Florida transfer Hayden Hansen.

Even after losing multiple pieces to the NFL, the Oklahoma defense returns five starters, including its leader, mike linebacker Kip Lewis. Lewis joins end Taylor Wein, All-SEC freshman team cornerback Courtland Guillory, cornerback Eli Bowen and safety Peyton Bowen to form one of the top defenses in the country. Venables and coordinator Todd Bates added only three transfers to their unit but they will only serve as depth pieces.

Excitement is all around Oxford as the first full season of Pete Golding’s tenure begins following Kiffin’s loud exit. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and tailback Kewan Lacy are the two most important pieces to Ole Miss’ success in 2026 after they helped lead the Rebels to the national semifinals in January. Deuce Alexander is the lone receiver that started last season for Chambliss alongside two Syracuse transfers, Johntay Cook and Darrell Gill and returning backup Luke Hasz slated to start for new offensive coordinator John David Baker after an injury riddled 2025 following his transfer from SEC rival Arkansas. Three of five starters are back for the Ole Miss offensive line, with Terez Davis stepping up at left tackle after spending time on the bench in 2025 and former Miami Hurricane Tommy Kinsler stepping in at right tackle.

In Golding’s first season as head coach, Bryan Brown and Marcus Woodson will coordinate the defense he spent years doing the same under Kiffin. The Rebel defense will rely on 11 transfers, with six expected to start. Five returning starters join the 11 incoming transfers, including Kam Franklin, Will Echoles and Suntarine Perkins along the defensive front while Jaylon Braxton and Antonio Kite return to form a solid cornerback duo.

Kiffin became LSU’s third head coach of the 2020s, looking to lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoff and actually coach in the event for the first time during his first season coaching at Tiger Stadium. His roster is full of transfers, including former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, who will be expected to exceed in Charlie Weiss’ offense after dealing with injuries last fall in Tempe, behind Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton, who is slated to start at left guard. Returner Trey’Dez Green should emerge as one of the top tight ends in the country and one of Leavitt’s favorite targets in Weiss’ offense. Three transfer wideouts will join Green as options for Leavitt down the field alongside returning running back Caden Durham.

Five of the seven defensive transfers are slated to start for Blake Baker’s defense in 2026, who was retained following Kiffin’s hiring last December. Former Ole Miss end Princewill Unmanmielen highlights the group of starters that joined Kiffin, including Jordan Ross and Malik Blocton on the line, TJ Dottery at weakside linebacker and Ty Benefield at safety. Middle linebacker Whit Weeks and safety Tamarcus Cooley return as starters to form one of the better defenses in the SEC this fall.

After an 8-5 season in 2025, Josh Heupel must hope the changes he made to his staff can get them back to the College Football Playoff in 2026. Heupel hired Jim Knowles to be his new defensive coordinator after stops at Oklahoma State, Ohio State and Penn State and Derek Owings to be his new strength and conditioning coach after helping Indiana win the national championship game in January.

DeSean Bishop is one of the SEC’s top tailbacks and he will continue to have success behind an offensive line that returns four of its five starters. LSU transfer Ory Williams will step in at right tackle, the only spot that is not filled by a returner for Tennessee. SEC Freshman of the Year Braylon Staley, Mike Matthews, Radarious Jackson and Ethan Davis will catch passes from the winner of the quarterback competition, between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre.

Nine transfers and four returning starters headline Knowles’ defense in the first season of his tenure. Weakside linebacker Arion Carter, middle linebacker Jeremiah Telander, cornerback Ty Redmond and safety Edges Farooq are the returning starters from last season. The two Nittany Lions that are joining Knowles in Knoxville are nose tackle Xavier Gilliam and middle linebacker Amare Campbell.In the secondary Kayin Lee and nickelback Qua Moss came over via the transfer portal and are also slated to start.

Alabama must now get used to not being the favorite anymore on the football field after seasons of dominance under Nick Saban. Now, under Kalen DeBoer the Crimson Tide have not advanced past the quarterfinals in the College Football Playoff since Saban exited Tuscaloosa. Ryan Coleman-Williams headlines the UA offense entering his junior season, two years removed from being called the best 17-year-old receiver in the country following his reclassification to enroll in college a year early. Coleman-Williams and new starters Rico Scott and Lotzeir Brooks will catch passes from the winner of the quarterback competition, Keelon Russell or Austin Mack.

The Crimson Tide defense lost multiple pieces to the NFL, so a lot will be put on the four returning starters. Yhonzae Pierce will fill the WOLF position while Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb form a great defensive backfield. The questions are for the defensive front, which will have three transfers expected to start. Assuming those three work out, the other two players that have been in the program, London Simmons and QB Pierce must step up as well.

Texas A&M made its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history under head coach Mike Elko in 2025, only to have a short run, falling at Kyle Field in the first round. With Collin Klein back at Kansas State, Elko promoted wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins to be the Aggies’ next offensive coordinator, and the hire did not meet a great applause. The good news is that quarterback Marcel Reed and wide receiver Mario Craver are back in the fold to lead the A&M offense that also has Ashton Bethel-Roman and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton in the receiving room. Reed does not have the comfort of all of the options at running back but Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow will be solid options.

Only four defensive starters return for Texas A&M, including weakside linebacker Daymion Sanford, cornerback Dezz Ricks, safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe. Six transfers join the Aggie defense, with four slated to be starters including end Anto Sacka, tackle CJ Mims, mike linebacker Ray Coney and cornerback Rickey Gibson. The defense will have to be as good if not better than their defense a year ago if they want to return to the playoff.

After tremendous success in stints at Troy and Tulane, including a College Football Playoff appearance last fall in New Orleans, Jon Sumrall takes over at Florida. The Kentucky alumnus and former Wildcat defensive coordinator brings in a quality staff with SEC experience, including offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and defensive coordinator Brad White. The roster is headlined by tailback Jadan Baugh, who ran for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, and leads a group of six other returners from Billy Napier’s last team in Gainesville.

Three of the ten transfers being added to the Gator offense are coming over from Georgia Tech with Faulkner, who experienced a great deal of success under head coach Brent Key. Quarterback Aaron Philo , tight end Luke Harping and center Harrison Moore are all expected to start for Faulkner’s offense. Along with returning starters Baugh, wide receiver Vernell Brown, and left guard Knijeah Harris, highly touted redshirt freshman Dallas Wilson and Auburn transfer Eric Singleton could form one of the best receiving groups in the SEC.

White’s unit is made up of three returning starters and three incoming transfers. Linebackers Myles Graham and Jaden Robinson both started every game for Florida while cornerback Cormani McClain made an interception and defended two passes and safety Bryce Thornton defended seven passes last season. Enter Baylor transfer DJ Coleman to play next to Thornton at safety and Jacksonville State transfer Emmanuel Oyebadejo at backup defensive end and TJ Bullard at backup strong side linebacker for a d defense that will expect a lot of pieces that have been with the program to step up into starting roles.

Shane Beamer is on the hot seat after South Carolina won only four games last season. A year after going 9-4 and barely missing the College Football Playoff in 2024, the offensive line struggled to protect dynamic quarterback LaNorris Sellers and the front seven failed to get to the quarterback consistently, and as a result they were only able to beat Kentucky in conference play last season. Now, enter offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, and expectations for the Gamecock offense should be higher than they were at any point last season.

Briles’ who had a good amount of success with Arkansas’ offense led by quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders, should experience a similar amount with Sellers behind center, especially if the pass protection and run game improve. Seven transfers came over to improve the South Carolina offensive line, and Beamer should hope that injuries don’t implode his offense again. Sophomores Matt Fuller and Texas transfer Christian Clark will spend time alongside Sellers at tailback. Sellers’ brother Jayden, returning starters Nyck Harbor and Brady Hunt, and Purdue transfer Nitro Truggle will be trusted upon to get down the field and make the offense more dynamic in Briles’ first season on campus.

Returning defensive end Dylan Stewart is the Gamecocks’ top defensive piece with Tennessee transfer Caleb Herring rushing the passer on the other side. Linebackers Fred Johnson, Justin Okonkwo, cornerback Judge Collier and safety Peyton Williams join Stewart as the returners. Three of four transfers coming over on defense are expected to start while three defenders that have been in Beamer’s program will be expected to step up and start. Tackle Tamiwa Durajaiye joins Herring on the line while Quay’sheed Scott will be expected to start at nickel and Kelby Collins will back up one of the tackles.

Jeff Lebby’s tenure at Mississippi State has not gone well, with the Bulldogs’ only SEC wins in the last four seasons coming against Arkansas. There is hope that MSU could be better this season, especially with the electric Kamario Taylor stepping in at quarterback, who threw for 629 yards and five scores in limited action. Slot receiver Anthony Evans and center Canon Boone are the only two starters returning for Taylor, so the ten incoming transfers will make a big impact on the Bulldog offense that will also feature some players that have been with the program to step up.

Five starters return for Mississippi State’s defense under new coordinator Zach Arnett, who was previously the Bulldogs’ head coach following the passing of Mike Leach. With Arnett calling the defense under Lebby, the defense should be better. End Trevion Williams, tackle Kalvin Dinkins, mike linebacker Zakari Tillman, cornerback Kelley Jones and nickel Isaac Smith return for Arnett while seven transfers come over to Starkville to play for him. Dealyn Evans and Amare Williams will play along the front, Quentin Taylor and Kaylib Singleton will play at corner, while Marcus Gilbert and Jardin Gilbert are both expected to start at safety.

Eliah Drinkwitz’s tenure at Missouri started slow before multiple seasons of 8 or more wins in a row. After defeating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl in 2023, the Tigers have failed to win more than 10 games in a season. With star running back Ahmad Hardy healing from a gun shot wound, Jamal Roberts will be expected to step up and be the lead back, something he is definitely capable of. Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons needs to be the guy that can get the ball to receivers deep down the field after Beau Pribula, who has transferred out, failed to do a season ago.

Simmons’ former teammate in Oxford, receiver Cayden Lee, former Cincinnati target Caleb Goodie and former Mississippi State left guard Zach Owens are all expected to start for Chip Lindsey, who comes over to coordinate the Missouri offense after some time at Missouri.

Ten incoming transfers will impact the Missouri defense in 2026, including former Auburn weakside linebacker Robert Woodyard, former Ole Miss cornerback Chirs Graves and former Michigan nickel Elijah Dotson. Five players will have to emerge along the defensive front, a front known for its success under former coordinator Blake Baker and Corey Batoon.

Alex Golesh takes over the Auburn job after years of struggling under Hugh Freeze, who previously had success in the same role at Ole Miss. Tiger fans thought Freeze’s offenses would be the high-scoring units they would watch over his tenure however, due to their lack of success, Auburn has not had a winning record since the 2019 season, Gus Malzahn’s final season as head coach.

After a successful run at South Florida, Golesh brought many players over to Auburn, including quarterback Byrum Brown, who accounted for 4,101 yards and 37 touchdowns during his years in Tampa Bay. All three receivers join Golesh and Brown, including Jeremiah Koger, Keshaun Singleton and Chas Nimrod. Veteran tight end Jake Johnson left UNC, joining an offensive line that is full of transfers as well. Golesh retained DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator, and Tiger fans should be happy about that, because the unit was the bright spot in 2025. All-SEC First Team linebacker Xavier Adkins returns alongside two players in the secondary, nickel Sylvester Smith at nickel and Kaleb Harris at safety. Ole Miss transfer Da’Shawn Womack and Arkansas State transfer Cody Sigler fill roles on the line along with six others that have been with the program expected to step up along the rest of the defense.

Kentucky fans believe Will Stein’s offensive acumen will change their football program for the better. After Stein’s impressive SEC Media Day debut over a month ago, that belief only improved for Wildcat fans who will will get to watch a different program than the one they have watched the many years before with Mark Stoops now gone. Notre Dame backup quarterback Kenny Minchey is slated to come in and start behind center for UK next to Texas transfer tailback CJ Baxter. Former LSU receiver Nic Anderson, South Utah receiver Shane Carr and returners DJ Miller and Malachi Wood will catch passes from Minchey.

With former Oregon offensive coordinator Stein as head coach, Jay Bateman will be trusted to lead his unit as defensive coordinator made up of nine transfers, with five slated to start. Purdue transfer defensive tackle Jamarion Harkless, Texas transfer weakside linebacker Elijah Barnes, Florida transfer star Aaron Gates, Western Carolina cornerback Hasaan Sykes and Florida transfer safety Jordan Castell are all expected to start. Ends Mi’Quise Humphrey-Gray, Sam Greene, cornerback Terhyon Nichols and safety Ty Bryant are returning starters that will be crucial for Bateman’s unit.

After five and a half seasons of Sam Pittman as head coach, Arkansas moved on with Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield, who led Memphis to many successful seasons as head coach but was unable to reach the American Conference championship game. That is probably why most of the media thinks Silverfield will pan out the worst of the three coaches coming over from the conference (Sumrall and Golesh) to the SEC. The quarterback competition between returner KJ Jackson and Memphis transfer AJ Hill has made the most headlines this off-season.

Questions about whether either of the quarterbacks can consistently pass the ball down the field after years of stability at the position under Pittman. Whoever the competition, Jackson or Brown, will pass the ball to returning tight end Jaden Platt, receivers CJ Brown, Ismael Cisse and Boise State Chris Marshall. Memphis transfer Sutton Smith, who helped the Tigers upset the Razorbacks last season, and Braylen Russell will split carries for Tim Cramsey’s offense behind what should be a solid offensive line, led by center Caden Kitler and right guard Kobe Branham. Last season, Arkansas’ defense was one of the worst in the country and as such only returns two starters, star end Quincy Rhodes and linebacker Bradley Shaw. Kentucky transfer JACK Steven Soles and Tulane transfer cornerback Jahiem Johnson are two new players for veteran defensive coordinator Ron Roberts that can make an impact on a Razorback defense that needs to be better.

Clark Lea’s tenure at his alma mater, Vanderbilt, started out slow before leading the Commodores to 17 wins over the last two seasons combined and the program’s first 10-win season in 2025. Quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers are off to the pros but the offensive staff, led by Tim Beck, is still in Nashville ready to prove they won’t take as big of a step back they could take in 2026.

Without Pavia, it will be either senior Blaze Berlowitz or five-star freshman Jared Curtis, who Lea flipped from Georgia, starting behind center. Receiver Junior Sherrill, right guard Cade McConnell, tight end Cole Spence and tailback Sedrick Alexander return as starters. With the limited production returning for the Commodores on the offense, it will be up to the veterans returning on their defense, tackle Glenn Seabrooks II, end Miles Capers, inside linebacker Bryan Longwell and Martel Hight to lead the unit positively into 2026.

Top Non-Conference games:
1.Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
2.Oklahoma at Michigan (Sept. 12)
3.Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Sept. 6; Nashville)
4.Clemson at LSU (Sept. 6)
5.Florida State at Alabama (Sept. 19)

Top Conference Games:
1.LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 19)
2.Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10)
3.Georgia at Ole Miss (Nov. 7)
4.Texas vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 10; Dallas)
5.Texas at LSU (Nov. 14)

Conference Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Trinidad Chambliss, Quarterback, Ole Miss
2025 Statistics: 294-445, 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 133 rushes, 527 yards, 8 touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Year: Colin Simmons, Defensive Lineman, Texas
2025 Statistics: 23 tackles, 2 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovered
Special Teams Player of the Year: Tate Sandel, Kicker, Oklahoma
2025 Statistics: 35-35 on extra points, 24-27 on field goals, 107 points
Freshman of the Year: Lamar Brown, Defensive Lineman, LSU
2025 Statistics: N/A (Freshman)
Newcomer of the Year: Byrum Brown, Quarterback, Auburn
2025 Statistics: 226-341, 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 175 rushes, 1,008 yards, 14 touchdowns (at South Florida)
Coach of the Year: John Sumrall, Florida

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 5 in Atlanta): Georgia (12-1) over Texas (11-2)

Group of Six Projections:

American

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 5 on campus):
Navy (11-2) over UTSA (9-4)

Conference USA

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 4 on campus):
Western Kentucky (10-3) over Liberty (9-4)

Mid-American

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 5 in Detroit):
Western Michigan (10-3) over Miami (Ohio) (9-4)

Mountain West

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 4 on campus):
UNLV (11-2) over New Mexico (10-3)

Pac-12

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 4 on campus):
Boise State (10-3) over San Diego State (9-4)

Sun Belt

Conference Championship Game (Dec. 4 on campus)
James Madison (10-3) over Arkansas State (8-5)

2026-2027 College Football Playoff Top 12 Projection:
1.Georgia (12-1)
2.Ohio State (12-1)
3.Notre Dame (12-0)
4.Miami (12-1)
5.Texas Tech (12-1)
6.Oregon (11-1)
7.Indiana (11-2)
8.Texas (11-2)
9.BYU (10-3)
10.Oklahoma (9-3)
11.Ole Miss (9-3)
12.Navy (11-2)

First Round (Dec. 18-19)

Lubbock
5.Texas Tech
12.Navy

Austin
8.Texas
9.BYU

Eugene
6.Oregon
11.Ole Miss

Bloomington
7.Indiana
10.Oklahoma

Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)

Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
4.Miami
5.Texas Tech

Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
1.Georgia
8.Texas

Rose Bowl presented by Prudential (Pasadena)
2.Ohio State
7.Indiana

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington)
3.Notre Dame
6.Oregon

Semifinals (Jan. 7-8)

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
1.Georgia
4.Miami

VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
6.Oregon
7.Indiana

2027 College Football Playoff National Championship (January 25; Las Vegas)
1.Georgia
6.Oregon

Projected 2027 College Football Playoff National Champion: 1.Georgia

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Image – ESPN

It was a busy off-season for Arkansas football following their third 2-10 season in the last eight years. Two months after Sam Pittman’s firing and three days after their season-ending 31-17 loss to Missouri, the Razorbacks hired Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield for the same role in Fayetteville.

There were many questions about Silverfield’s hiring by the media but he quickly answered them when quarterback KJ Jackson and defensive end Quincy Rhodes announced their returns to Fayetteville for the 2026 season at his introductory press conference. In addition, he flipped many 2026 instate recruits committed to other SEC programs just a few weeks after he was hired.

Silverfield and his new staff, which includes offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, who worked in the same role with him at Memphis for the last four seasons, and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who served in the same role at Florida the previous two seasons and also at Auburn and Baylor began spring football together.

Being a first year head coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will be difficult for Silverfield but it is important that he has offensive continuity with Cramsey and an experienced defensive play-caller in Roberts, who’s coached in the SEC for years.

The focus for Arkansas football now goes to the 2026 season, where they attempt to make it to a bowl game for the first time since the 2025 season. The SEC Media Days head to Tampa for the first time this week and the Razorbacks will definitely be selected no higher than 14th or 15th by the media.

It makes sense as the Razorbacks have failed to get to a New Year’s Bowl game since 2021 and have a single home win (No. 4 Tennessee on Oct. 5, 2024) in the last two seasons at Razorback Stadium. It gets no easier for the Hogs this season, as they travel to Utah in non-conference play before an SEC slate that includes back-to-back SEC champion Georgia and other conference contenders Texas A&M, Texas and LSU.

It hurts Arkansas that they don’t face Kentucky or Mississippi State, the two other teams expected to be picked at the bottom of the league in 2026. The good news is they will welcome the Wildcats to Fayetteville and travel to face the Bulldogs in 2027.

While Silverfield may not have the depth on his roster that other SEC programs have, he and his team can prove everyone in the league wrong with a couple of victories to begin the season in September. The Razorbacks lost many one score games in Pittman’s tenure and he can fix it by coaching his team to not make as many mistakes before the snap.

The media does not expect anything from Arkansas football this fall. Silverfield and the Razorbacks can prove them wrong with a strong season on the Hill, the first one with nine SEC conference games.

Check out the group of incoming freshmen, transfers and my early thoughts on Ryan Silverfield’s first team and coaching staff at Arkansas by clicking this link.

Check out my projected depth chart and 2026 schedule projections below:

Projected Depth Chart:

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Quarterbacks
1.KJ Jackson, Redshirt Sophomore
2.AJ Hill, Redshirt Redshirt Freshman
3.Braeden Fuller, Redshirt Senior
4.Cade Trotter, Redshirt Freshman
5.Hank Hendrix, Freshman

For the first time in years, there will be a quarterback competition during fall camp in Fayetteville. Returner KJ Jackson and Memphis transfer AJ Hill have already competed through spring ball and will continue to do so when the team reunites at the end of July.

Jackson appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman and started the season finale against Missouri (Nov. 29). He completed 33-of-54 passing attempts for 441 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards and two scores. He also saw action against Alabama A&M (Aug. 30), Arkansas State Texas A&M (Oct. 18) and Texas (Nov. 21) last fall. He went 6-for-7 for 48 yards in Gasparilla Bowl versus NC State (Dec. 19).

He learned Tim Crowley’s offense in the spring as he competed with AJ Hill for the starting job, who came over from Memphis with Silverfield. Hill redshirted his first and only season for the Tigers and saw action in only two games. He completed 19-of-32 passes for 223 yards with a touchdown and one interception. The Warner Robins, Ga. native made his collegiate debut at UAB (Oct. 18), passing for 175 yards on 13-of-25 with one TD and an interception. He also a

Both quarterbacks competed well through spring ball and will be expected to compete through fall camp to determine who the starting quarterback will be. Both have their pros and cons but Jefferson’s previous experience in the SEC, though limited, makes me think he will be the starter in the season-opener against North Alabama, though both guys should see play time against the Lions.

Redshirt senior Braeden Fuller, redshirt freshman Cade Trotter and incoming freshman Hank Hendrix make up the rest of the depth chart for quarterbacks coach Mitch Stewart, who replaced Clint Trickett after his short stint ended after he was hired away to become Maryland’s offensive coordinator.

Angelo State transfer Fuller will likely serve as the third-string signal-caller for the Razorbacks, saw action in 28 games and threw for 3,408 yards and 36 touchdowns in four seasons with the Rams. Trotter, a transfer from Clemson and a Highland Park High School alumnus, redshirted as a freshman before playing a scout team role in 2025. He will play behind Fuller as the fourth string quarterback in 2026.

Hank Hendrix will bring up the rear in Stewart’s room after a single season at Fayetteville High School. Hendrix, a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, started 34 games in three years in his high school career, amassing 9,425 yards and completing 67.4% of his passes. He played his first three years at Boerne High School (TX) before transferring to Fayetteville for his junior season.

Going into the season, the media has the Razorback quarterback room as one of the worst in the SEC but Jackson or Hill can easily prove them wrong with a successful 2026 season.

Image – KNWA

Running Backs
1.Braylen Russell, Junior
2.Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
3.Cam Settles, Sophomore
4.Jasper Parker, Sophomore
5.TJ Hodges, Freshman
6.Markeylin Batton, Redshirt Freshman

Maybe the top group on the Razorback offense, the running back room has junior Braylon Russell, Memphis transfer Sutton Smith and four other capable backs.

Russell saw action in nine games and got one start as a sophomore. He totaled 55 carries and five rushing touchdowns and caught four passes for 27 yards in 2025. His best performance of the season was against Tennessee (Oct. 11), where he rushed eight times for 47 yards.

In his redshirt junior season at Memphis, Smith played in 12 games and rushed for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries and added 20 receptions for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for a total of 1,058 total yards. He rushed 12 times for a career-best 147 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ 32-31 comeback victory against the Razorbacks back in September. Now as a redshirt senior, he will attempt to produce for the Razorback backfield next to Russell.

Settles and Parker are two rising sophomores that will be integral to Arkansas’ running back room. Settles played in nine games in 2025 for the Razorbacks. He registered 16 rushing yards on six carries while catching two passes for 16 yards. He recorded 10 rushing yards on four carries and caught one pass for five yards in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).

Parker played in six games as a true freshman for Michigan. He rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He carried the ball a season-high for a season-best 45 yards and a score against Central Michigan (Sept. 13).

Redshirt freshman Markelyin Batton and freshman TJ Hodges have major upside as the bottom of the depth chart under coach David Johnson. Batton saw action in four games as a freshman in 2025. Hodges, a four-star recruit from Bryant High School (AR), He recorded 108 carries for 900 yards, seven touchdowns and eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns for the Hornets as a senior.

Image – KNWA

Wide Receivers
Starters:
CJ Brown, Junior
Chris Marshall, Redshirt Senior
Ismael Cisse, Redshirt Junior

Backups:
Jamari Hawkins, Redshirt Senior
Antonio Jordan, Redshirt Freshman
Donovan Faupel, Senior
Courtney Crutchfield, Redshirt Sophomore
Monte Harrison, Sophomore
Jelani Watkins, Sophomore
Dequane Provo, Freshman
Blair Irvin III, Freshman

Arkansas puts CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse next to talented Boise State transfer Chris Marshall on the outside. Transfers Jamari Hawkins and Donovan Faupel join returners Antonio Jordan and Courtney Crutchfield on the bench.

Brown enters his third season on the Hill after playing in 12 games and getting 10 starts for the Razorbacks as a sophomore. He recorded 28 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He caught four passes for 49 yards in the Razorbacks’ win against Alabama A&M before catching five passes for 38 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M.

Cisse suffered an injury prior to fall camp in 2025 and missed his redshirt sophomore season as a result. Prior to transferring to Arkansas, he played in all 12 games and made five starts for Stanford as a redshirt freshman. He finished the season with 26 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns and logged at least one reception in eight of his 12 games played, including five multi-catch performances.

After a season at Texas A&M, one at Kilgore College and two at Boise State, Marshall returned to the SEC, this time to Fayetteville as an Arkansas Razorback. While he has had off the field issues, Marshall will attempt to prove himself after starting five games and playing in 11 games, amassing 574 yards on 30 receptions with two touchdowns as a redshirt junior for the Broncos.

Hawkins, a Memphis transfer, and Faupel, a New Mexico State transfer, will be important if Arkansas can have a down the field passing attack. Hawkins, who came over to Fayetteville with Silverfield and Cramsey, caught 38 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns and also returned three kicks for 91 yards. His 38 receptions and 623 yards were second on the team. Faupel played in all 12 games, earning Second-Team All-Conference USA from the league’s coaches. He caught 61 passes for a total of 661 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior in 2025.

After spending his freshman year at Missouri, Crutchfield, a Pine Bluff native, played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman for the Razorbacks. He caught one pass for 26 yards, the first of his career against LSU (Nov. 15). Jordan, a Warren native, saw action in losses against Texas A&M and Auburn. Crutchfield and Jordan will also be vital to Arkansas’ receiver depth in 2026.

Harrison, the former MLB outfielder, saw action in two games before suffering a season-ending injury, registering one catch for 29 yards. LSU transfer Watkins, a track star, spent two seasons in the Bayou, appearing in five games. He caught two passes for a total of 21 yards in a win over Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 20). He also saw action against Vanderbilt (Oct. 18) and Oklahoma (Nov. 29).

Provo and Irvin, two freshmen, will be important depth pieces for the Razorbacks in 2026 after both players helped Bentonville High School to a 12-0 season. Provo, a four-star prospect according to ESPN, registered 35 catches for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 7 rushes for 55 yards as a senior at Bentonville High School. Irvin, a consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN, recorded 42 receptions, 634 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, two rushes for 39 yards and one rushing touchdown as a senior.

Image – 247 Sports

Tight Ends
1.Jaden Platt, Redshirt Junior
2.Ty Lockwood, Redshirt Junior
3.Matt Adcock, Senior
4.Gavin Garretson, Redshirt Freshman

Similar to the receivers, Jaden Platt returns to Fayetteville after a solid redshirt freshman next to Boston College transfer Ty Lockwood, Memphis transfer Matt Adcock and returner Gavin Garretson.

After two seasons at Texas A&M, Platt played in 12 games and recorded 21 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns for Arkansas in 2025. He recorded three receptions for a career-high 53 yards in a loss to Ole Miss (Sept. 13) and a career-high four receptions, 66 yards, and a touchdown at Texas (Nov. 22).

Lockwood spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Boston College. As a redshirt sophomore for the Eagles, he played in all 12 games, mostly as a special teams player and a reserve tight end. He caught two passes for 30 yards in 2025. Adcock played his first two collegiate seasons at Mississippi Gulf Community College, he transferred to play his junior season at Memphis under Coach Silverfield. He played in 12 games while making seven starts and totaled 12 receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns.

Garretson redshirted his freshman season in 2025. He saw action in three games, including a season-opening victory against Alabama A&M and losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M (Oct. 18).

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Offensive Line
Starters:
LT: Kavion Broussard, Redshirt Sophomore
LG: Malachi Breland, Redshirt Junior
OC: Caden Kitler, Redshirt Senior
RG: Kobe Branham, Redshirt Sophomore
RT: Bryant Williams, Redshirt Senior

Backups:
LT: Josiah Clemons, Redshirt Freshman
LG: Davion Weatherspoon, Redshirt Senior
C: Kash Courtney, Redshirt Freshman
RG: Brooks Edmonson, Redshirt Senior
RT: Adam Hawkes, Redshirt Sophomore

Arkansas’ offensive line is a strong unit, being anchored by returners Caden Kitler and Kobe Branham with Bryant Williams expected to step in at right tackle after transferring from Louisiana.

After transferring from Ole Miss, Broussard saw action in six games and made one start against Missouri. He also played in games against Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Notre Dame (Sept. 27) and Mississippi State (Nov. 1).

Breland spent three seasons at Memphis before transferring to Fayetteville when Silverfield was hired by Arkansas. As a redshirt sophomore, he started  all 12 games at left guard for the Tigers. He posted a pass blocking grade of 79.6 according to PFF after allowing just one sack in 454 opportunities. He helped pave the way for a Memphis offense that averaged 420.7 yards per game while averaging 34.6 points per game.

After three seasons at UCF, Kitler transferred to Arkansas for his redshirt senior season. The Colony, Texas native started in all 11 games he saw action for the Razorbacks in 2025. He blocked for six games of 500+ yards of total offense and paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).

Branham started 11 of 12 games while paving the way for six games of 500+ yards of total offense as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Like Kitler, paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22). He also played an important role in Arkansas’ 526 yards of total offense (305 passing and 225 rushing) in a loss at Ole Miss (Sept. 13)

Williams spent four seasons at Louisiana where he turned into a star of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive line. He started  11 games and did not allow a sack and was part of an offensive line that blocked for 344.8 yards per game in 2025. The Lake Charles, Louisiana native helped Louisiana rank 31st nationally in rushing yards per game with 183.2 a contest as a redshirt junior in 2025.

Clemons spent his freshman season at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. He did not see game action in 2025. Courtney redshirted his freshman season and saw action in three games with one start. He made his first career start (Nov. 1) and also appeared in victories against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State.

Weatherspoon started all 13 games at left guard as a First-Team All-MAC selection by the league’s coaches, leading the Bobcats in offensive snaps played with 881 according to Pro Football Focus. Edmonson played in all 12 games, appearing primarily on special teams. Hawkes transferred to Arkansas after two years at Oregon State. In 2025, earning a pair of starts against Lafayette and Washington State.

Image – allHOGS

Defensive Line
Starters:
DE: Quincy Rhodes Jr., Senior
DT: Hunter Osborne, Redshirt Junior
DT: David Oke, Redshirt Senior

Backups:
DE: Xadavien Sims, Redshirt Sophomore
DT: Carlon Jones, Redshirt Sophomore
DT: Trajen Odom, Redshirt Freshman

Rhodes’ return to Fayetteville after the coaching change was huge for Silverfield and his staff after a season where he was on the All-SEC Second Team by the AP and Coaches. He started 11 of 12 games, tallied 44 tackles including a team-leading 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He became the first Razorback to register three multi-sack games in a season since Tre Williams in 2021 and the first Razorback to register double-digit tackles for loss in a season since Landon Jackson (13.5) in 2023.

Osborne spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Virginia before coming to the Hill for his redshirt junior season. He played in all 14 games for the Cavaliers, recording 15 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-best four tackles versus Stanford (Sept. 20). Oke spent three seasons at Abilene Christian before transferring to Arkansas in 2025 and redshirting. He saw action in three games for the Razorbacks and he collected four tackles for a loss.

Sims, a high-upside end, spent two seasons at Oregon where he appeared in four games and made one tackle. Similarly, another west coast transfer Jones, who spent two seasons at USC, played in eight games and made four tackles in 2025 after redshirting his first season in Los Angeles. A third Big Ten transfer, Odom, played in two games as a freshman for Ohio State in 2025, seeing action against Grambling (Sept. 6) and Minnesota (Oct. 4).

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Linebackers

Starters:
JACK Linebacker: Steven Soles Jr., Junior
Linebacker: Bradley Shaw, Junior
Linebacker: Jamonta Waller, Redshirt Sophomore

Backups:
JACK Linebacker: Charlie Collins, Junior, Jamonta Walker, Redshirt Sophomore
Linebacker: Phoenix Jackson, Redshirt Senior, Wyatt Simmons, Redshirt Sophomore
Linebacker: Jeremy Evans, Redshirt Senior, Ben Bogle, Redshirt Senior

Soles has emerged as a leader of the Arkansas linebacker room throughout the off-season. He was productive in his two seasons in Lexington at Kentucky, playing in 22 games, making 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The Powell, Tenn. native recorded two sacks and forced two fumbles in their 2025 season-opener against Toledo (Aug. 30).

As a sophomore, Shaw saw action in 12 games with seven starts for the Razorbacks. He tallied 50 total tackles, including five tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He will be trusted to step up and be a starter for Arkansas in 2026 after a solid 2025 season.

Collins played in nine games and made three starts as a sophomore. He made nine tackles, including a tackle for loss. He made his first collegiate start in a season-opening win over Alabama A&M while recording two tackles (Aug. 30) and recorded three tackles in a loss to Auburn.

Jackson spent his first four seasons of college at Fresno State before transferring to Baylor for the 2025 season. There, he played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He logged 11 tackles before injury, eight of them against Baylor in their season-opener (Aug. 29). Fellow Baylor transfer Jeremy Evans, where he played four seasons. Across that time, he played in 29 contests and recorded 24 tackles, one forced fumble, one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.

Waller saw limited action in his two seasons at Auburn. As a freshman in 2024, he saw action in two games before a season-ending foot injury wiped out his freshman season. He recorded one tackle vs. Alabama A&M (Aug. 31) in his collegiate debut. He did not see any action in 2025.

Secondary

Image – 247 Sports

Cornerbacks

Starters:
1.Jahiem Johnson, Redshirt Junior
2.Khmori House, Junior
3.La’Khi Roland, Junior

Backups:
1.Braydon Lee, Redshirt Sophomore
2.Carter Stoutmire, Senior
3.Shelton Lewis, Redshirt Junior
4.Tyler Scott, Redshirt Junior
5.DJ Hairston Jr., Sophomore

Johnson was one of the top available cornerbacks in the transfer portal after three years and two impressive seasons at Group of Six powerhouse Tulane. He started all 14 games seeing the field for a team-high 834 defensive snaps. The Hammond, La. native made 42 tackles with one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and four interceptions to earn All-American Conference Honorable Mention in 2025.

Former Washington and North Carolina defender, House made 16 starts across 24 games the last two seasons. He led the Tar Heels with 81 tackles after being voted a team captain and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention after his efforts during the 2025 season.

Stoutmire was a vital part of the Colorado defensive backfield for three seasons, playing in 32 games, starting in 15 of them. Over his time in Boulder, he made 91 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 1 tackle for loss, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Three year Clemson defensive back Lewis has seen action in 27 games and made six starts. He made 23 tackles and two interceptions as a Tigers.

Roland played 27 games at Maryland before transferring to Arkansas in the off-season. He posted 31 tackles, one for loss and a team-high three interceptions in 2025. Fellow former Terrapin Lee started two of 15 games in the two seasons he was in College Park. He recorded 19 tackles, one for loss and an interception.

Former Auburn and Georgia State defensive back Scott missed his one season on the plains after tearing his ACL. After transferring to play one season with Panthers, playing in two games and making four tackles. Hairston played in all nine games, making 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery during his freshman year at Hinds Community College.

Image – Sports Illustrated

Safeties

Starters:
1.Kyeaure Magloire, Redshirt Senior
2.Christian Harrison, Redshirt Senior

Backups:
1.Miguel Mitchell, Redshirt Senior
2.Nsongbeh Ginyui, Sophomore
3.Tay Lockett, Freshman
4.Ian Williams, Sophomore
5.Lamarcus Hicks II, Redshirt Freshman

A former Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia transfer, Magloire played in 30 games, tallied 80 tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions and recovered one fumble across three seasons. After two seasons at Tennessee and one at Cincinnati, Harrison brings experience to Fayetteville after starting all 12 games at safety in 2025. He made 66 tackles, seven pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception for the Bearcats.

After two seasons at Florida, Mitchell has impressed in Fayetteville, seeing action in 17 games over the last two seasons and making 72 tackles, two interceptions and one pass break up. Ginyui appeared in 10 games, tallied 47 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, four pass breakups and a tackle for loss in one season at Bakersfield College.

Hicks redshirted his only season at Iowa State and played three games on special teams. Williams played in 13 games as a true freshman, making six tackles at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. Lockett, a San Diego native, transferred to play at Conway High School after pledging to Arkansas. As a senior for the Wampus Cats, he recorded 56 tackles, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 2025.

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Special Teams
Placekicker: Max Gilbert, Redshirt Junior
Kickoffs: Braeden McCalister, Redshirt Senior
Punter: Gavin Rush, Redshirt Freshman
Long Snapper: Adam Johnston, Redshirt Junior
Kick Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
Punt Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior

Gilbert kicked all 26 of Tennessee’s games the last two seasons. He made 14-of-18 field goals and all 64 point after attempts as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. The Memphis native missed a potential game-winning field goal against Georgia (Sept. 13) but his production outside of that suggests that he will be a good replacement for former Razorback placekicker Scott Starzyk, who transferred to rival LSU in the off-season.

Georgia State transfer McCalister kicked in all 12 games for the Panthers, primarily as the team’s kickoff specialist. Of his 43 kickoffs, 36 were touchbacks. He is expected to fill the same role in Fayetteville as Silverfield’s first kickoff man.

Rush redshirted his freshman season at Arkansas. He will be expected to start at punter as a redshirt freshman following a 2025 season where he only appeared as a holder in the win against Arkansas State.

Former Modesto Junior College and Sacramento State long snapper Johnston will fulfill the same role at Arkansas. He earned Honorable Mention after handling all long snapping duties for the Hornets in 2025.

Smith had 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for Memphis in 2025. He will be expected to fill both roles for Arkansas in 2026 alongside his running back duties.

2026 Schedule Projections:

Image – University of North Alabama Athletics

Saturday, September 5
North Alabama
3:15 p.m. CT / SEC Network
Arkansas opens the 2026 campaign and Ryan Silverfield’s Razorback tenure against North Alabama in the first meeting between the programs. The game is set for Sept. 5 in Fayetteville, giving Silverfield his first chance to coach Arkansas.

North Alabama is coming off a 2-10 season in 2025, matching Arkansas’ record from last fall. The Lions’ lost their only game against FBS competition to Western Kentucky 55-6 (Aug. 30) and their only wins came against Northeastern State (Sept. 13) and Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 18) last fall.

Before heading to Fayetteville, North Alabama opens its 2026 season at home against Samford on Aug. 29. That gives the Lions one tune-up before facing Arkansas, while the Razorbacks enter Week 1 with a first-time opponent on the schedule.

Arkansas should be favored on paper, especially with North Alabama replacing almost all the pieces of a tough 2025 season. The main storyline is whether Silverfield’s debut can set the tone immediately, while North Alabama will try to prove it can handle an SEC road trip after opening with Samford.

Arkansas will dominate North Alabama to open Silverfield’s tenure. The Razorbacks offense will overwhelm the Lions’ defense giving their defense time on the sidelines. North Alabama will continue their road trip to Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 12) for week 2 action.

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 42, North Alabama 14

Image – FBS Schedules

Saturday, September 12
at Utah
9:15 p.m. / ESPN
The Razorbacks travel to Salt Lake City for their first ever matchup against Utah for a late-night duel against the Utes in week 2.

Utah finished with a 10-2 overall record and won seven games in their second season in the Big 12. The Utes fell to the two teams that appeared in the conference championship game last fall, Texas Tech and BYU. That was a big reason why they were ranked No. 15 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, five spots away from an at-large bid to make an appearance. After the season, their head coach Kyle Whittingham moved on to the same role at Michigan. Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has taken over for his mentor.

Before the Utes host the Razorbacks, they open the season at home in Salt Lake City against Idaho on a Thursday (Sept. 3). Scalley’s team will get one cupcake game before they welcome Arkansas to town (Sept. 12).

Scalley retained senior quarterback Devon Dampier, junior tailback Parker Wayshawn and three starters on defense following Whittingham’s exit. Utah State transfer Braden Pegan and San Jose State transfer Kyri Shoels are experienced receivers that will help Dampier down the field. The overall success for the Utah offense will likely depend on the success of the offensive line that replaces all five starters.

The three returning starters for the Utes’ defense, senior linebacker Johnathan Hall, senior cornerback Elijah Davis and junior safety Jackson Bennee will be vital to their success in the front seven and on the back end. After having trouble stopping the run at the end of last season, the Utes added more defensive line talent from the transfer portal including San Jose State’s Jireh Moe and Wyoming’s Lucas Samsula. If all three parts of the defense come together, they can contend for a Big 12 title in their third season in the league.

With Arkansas’ inexperience at quarterback and nine new starters, it is hard to see the Razorbacks going into Rice-Eccles Stadium and getting a victory in Silverfield’s second game as head coach. However, it is just Scalley’s second game as head coach of the Utes, too. If the Razorbacks are going to win, it will come down to Braylen Russell making a touchdown run or Quincy Rhodes making a big sack in the fourth quarter to overcome the Utes.

Utah will outlast Arkansas at home thanks to the combination Dampier and Parker in the backfield. They will be too much for a new-look Razorback defense. After the Utes take on Arkansas they finish their three game home stand to open the 2026 season against Utah State.

Carter’s Pick: Utah 31, Arkansas 17

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Saturday, September 19
Georgia
11 a.m. / ABC
Arkansas welcomes Georgia to Fayetteville for the first time since they opened the SEC-only 2020 schedule against the Bulldogs.

Georgia went 12-2 and 7-1 in the SEC and won their second consecutive conference championship after defeating Alabama 28-7 in Atlanta. The Bulldogs have failed to make the College Football Playoff Semifinals for the second consecutive season after SEC foe Ole Miss (Jan. 1) defeated them 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl.

Before the Bulldogs travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas (Sept. 19), they welcome Western Kentucky to Athens (Sept. 12). Georgia should have a 2-0 record entering SEC play after victories over Tennessee State (Sept. 5) in week 1 and the Hilltoppers in week 2.

Mike Bobo’s unit returns starter Stetson Bennett and tailback Nate Frazier behind center and three offensive lineman. After losing former USC transfer Zachiarah Branch at receiver to the NFL, Georgia grabbed junior Isaiah Canion from rival Georgia Tech to play next to sophomore Sacovie White-Helton and freshman Talyn Taylor at wide receiver.

Glenn Schumann’s group returns six starters from 2025, headlined by senior linebacker Raylen Wilson and junior safety KJ Bolden. Wilson and Bolden are joined by a group on the line including senior end Gabe Harris Jr. and junior nose tackle Xzavier McLeod. Wilson will play at linebacker next to junior Quintavius Johnston and Bolden stands next to sophomore cornerback Ellis Robinson IV in the Bulldog secondary.

Georgia will overwhelm Arkansas in Silverfield’s SEC opener. The Razorbacks offense will fail to get going thanks to Wilson at linebacker and Bolden at safety. The Bulldogs’ offense, led by Stockton and Frazier, will overcome the Razorback defense and start SEC play on a good note. Kirby Smart’s team is capable of making the College Football Playoff and advancing far and they will show their capabilities on Sept. 19.

Georgia will continue SEC play when they return home to face fellow 2025 College Football Playoff team Oklahoma (Sept. 26) to close out the opening month of the regular season. The Bulldogs will matchup with the Sooners for the first time since UGA out dueled OU 54-48 in double overtime in the Rose Bowl to send them to the national championship game.

Carter’s Pick: Georgia 38, Arkansas 17

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks

Saturday, September 26
Tulsa
7 p.m. / SEC Network +
The Razorbacks face off with one of the most common opponents in their history, the Golden Hurricane to end the month of September. Tulsa will face Arkansas in Fayetteville for the first time since 2018, when the Razorbacks defeated the Golden Hurricanes 23-0 at Razorback Stadium.

During Tre Lamb’s first season as head coach, Tulsa went 4-8 and 1-7 in the American Conference. The Golden Hurricane defeated Oklahoma State (Sept. 19), Oregon State (Nov. 15), and got their lone conference victory against Army (Nov. 22) on the second to last Saturday of the regular season.

Tulsa welcomes East Texas A&M to town in week 3 (Sept. 19) prior to their week 4 trip to Fayetteville after hosting instate opponent Oklahoma State (Sept. 5) and travels to Huntsville to face Sam Houston State (Sept. 12) before they face the Lions.

Sophomore quarterback Baylor Hayes will be trusted as an “x-factor” for Tulsa, especially after leading the Golden Hurricane to a victory over the Cowboys last season. They get a similar opportunity against the Razorbacks this season, and if Old Dominion transfer Trequan Jones and an offensive line led by returning right tackle Cam East can help him out, they may have a chance to defeat the Razorbacks.

Big plays killed Tulsa’s defense in 2025. With only Hayes and East back for the Golden Hurricane offense, six return for the TU defense including senior defensive lineman Tai Newhouse, junior cornerbacks JD Drew and Elijah Green, junior star Devin Robinson and junior safety Zach Williams will be crucial to their success in 2026, especially against Arkansas.

The Razorbacks cannot overlook Tulsa, especially after facing Georgia (Sept. 19) the previous Saturday. Arkansas’ offense will definitely be challenged against the Tulsa defense. As a result, the Razorbacks’ defense will have to limit Hayes, who threw 2,158 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and his tailback, Jones.

Arkansas and Tulsa will go back-and-forth in the first quarter but the Razorbacks’ athletes at running back and wide receiver including Braylen Russell, Sutton Smith, Chris Marshall, CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse will help the Razorbacks overcome the Golden Hurricane.

The Golden Hurricane begin American Conference play against North Texas (Oct. 1) when they return home to Tulsa. The Mean Green will have to rebuild after losing head coach Eric Morris and most of his roster to Oklahoma State under new head coach Neal Brown.

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 34, Tulsa 17

Image – Southeastern Conference

Saturday, October 3
at Texas A&M
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas heads to College Station and will face Texas A&M at Kyle Field for the first time since 2020, when the Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 42-31 on their way to a 11-1 regular season.

Texas A&M started the 2025 season 11-0 prior to dropping their final two games. Had the Aggies defeated Texas (Nov. 28), they would have made their first appearance in the SEC Championship game. After their second loss to the Longhorns in as many seasons, A&M failed to score a touchdown against Miami (Dec. 20) in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes defeated the Aggies 10-3 at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M will be traveling home from Baton Rouge after facing rival LSU (Sept. 26) before returning home to face Arkansas at Kyle Field. The Aggies, who also play Kentucky (Sept. 19), will have already played two SEC games before they face the Razorbacks (Oct. 3).

Following the disappointing end to the season, offensive coordinator Collin Klein returned to his alma mater to become the head coach at Kansas State. Wide receiver coach Holman Wiggins was promoted to replace Klein. Wiggins is lucky that Texas A&M returned junior quarterback Marcel Reed, leading rusher, junior Rueben Owens, junior Mario Craver and sophomore Ashton Bethel-Roman at receiver and senior Mark Nabou at center.

The Aggie secondary profiles as its best room on defense in 2026. Senior safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks in addition to junior cornerback Dezz Ricks will be a tough group to pass against this fall. A&M was fourth in the nation in sacks last season but SEC Player of the Year Cashius Howell is gone. Sophomore defensive end Marco Jones or transfer Anto Saka are expected to fill Howell’s role. Senior Daymion Sanford is expected to anchor the linebacking core for Texas A&M.

Whether the starting quarterback is Jackson or Hill, they will have to be schooled up on SEC secondaries because A&M’s secondary is going to be one of the best in the country let alone the nation. In addition, Arkansas’ wide receivers will have to have their heads on a swivel looking for Ratcliffe, Brooks and Ricks making a big play for the Aggies’ defense. Last season, the Arkansas defense gave up 45 points in their three-point loss (Oct. 18). If the Razorbacks want to win versus Texas A&M this season, Quincy Rhodes, Bradley Shaw and Jahiem Johnson will have to step up and make big plays for Arkansas.

The game may be close in the first half, but the Kyle Field crowd will be too much too muster for the Razorbacks to deal with. Texas A&M should move to 2-0 in the SEC with a win over the Razorbacks.

Texas A&M will travel to Columbia after facing Arkansas. The Aggies will play annual opponent Missouri (Oct. 10), looking for their third straight victory against the Tigers.

Carter’s Pick: Texas A&M 31, Arkansas 14

Image – Southwestern Times Record

Saturday, October 10
Tennessee
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas and Tennessee square off at Razorback Stadium for the first time since 2024, a 19-14 upset for the Razorbacks over the then No. 4 ranked Volunteers (Oct. 5).

Tennessee welcomes Auburn (Oct. 3) to Knoxville before they return to Fayetteville for the first time in two seasons. The Volunteers will face the Tigers for the first time since 2020, when AU defeated UT 30-17.

Tennessee was solid during the 2025 season, winning eight games overall and four in the SEC. The Volunteers’ quarterback Joey Aguilar led the league in passing yards per game and last season but is out of eligibility. Outside of their efficient offense led by Aguilar, the Tennessee defense was not good at stopping their opponents, allowing 30 or more points seven times.

Now, Volunteers’ fans expect their team to return to the College Football Playoff. As a result of their lack of success on defense last fall, head coach Josh Heupel hired Jim Knowles, the former Penn State defensive coordinator to the same position after firing Tim Eubanks. Three starting defenders return to Knoxville including senior weak side linebacker Arion Carter, junior strong safety Edges Fardoq, and sophomore Ty Redmond next to multiple former Nittany Lions following Knowles, including senior middle linebacker Amare Campbell.

Without Aguilar, there will be a quarterback competition between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, who enters his third collegiate season. Six returning starters are back to play in Heupel’s offense, including junior tailback DeSean Bishop, junior receiver Mike Matthews, sophomore receiver Braylon Staley and four of five offensive linemen.

For Arkansas to defeat Tennessee for the fifth time in six attempts, they will have to be very good. If inexperienced quarterback MacIntyre is the starter for the Volunteers this season, and Quincy Rhodes Jr., Hunter Osborne and Bradley Shaw get to the quarterback, they can set up the Arkansas offense with better field position. UT’s defense should be better but the Razorback offense should be able to advance the ball down the field.

The inexperience of Silverfield and his coaching staff in the SEC will be the reason why Tennessee will outlast Arkansas and defeat them by just three points. If the Volunteers win against the Razorbacks this season, they will begin their first win streak against UA since 2000, when they won three straight games (2000-2002).

Tennessee will renew the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry against Alabama (Oct. 17) in Knoxville after facing the Razorbacks. The Volunteers have defeated the Crimson Tide back-to-back times in Knoxville, winning 52-49 in 2022 and 24-17 in 2024.

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee 24, Arkansas 21

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks

Saturday, October 17
at Vanderbilt
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
The Razorbacks will play Vanderbilt in Nashville for the first time since 2011. Arkansas came from behind and won that game against the Commodores 31-28 en route to an 11-win season.

Vanderbilt will face their old cross-division rivalry versus Ole Miss (Oct. 10) for the first time since 2023 before facing Arkansas (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to end a five-game losing streak to the Rebels.

Vanderbilt comes off of a 10-win season in 2025 on the back of a Heisman runner-up season from Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers, who both head to the NFL after a tremendous two-year run on the West End. The Commodores won six of their first eight games last fall with victories against SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee before dropping their bowl game to Iowa.

Clark Lea replaced Pavia with five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, a Nashville native and a former Georgia commit behind center. Curtis will stand next to productive running back Sedrick Alexander and wide receiver Junior Sherrill. Only one offensive lineman, senior left guard Cade McConnell returns as a starter next to fellow four-year tight end Cole Spence.

Five starters are back for what was a so/so Vanderbilt defense in 2025. They are senior defensive end Miles Capers, inside linebacker Bryan Longwell, cornerback Martel Height and junior defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III. Three Power 4 transfers join the Commodore defense for this fall, so Lea’s unit should be ready to compete for another season above VU’s previous standards before his tenure in Nashville.

This is a winnable game for Arkansas but it is on the road. The Razorbacks have not played on the gridiron in Nashville in 15 years and it comes in a season with their first-year head coach, who last coached in the same state. Silverfield’s team will go back into the “Volunteer State” after falling to Tennessee the week before and upset Vanderbilt, their first SEC win since Oct. 26, 2024 at Mississippi State.

After their first opportunity to play the Razorbacks in over a decade, Vanderbilt travels to Lexington to face Kentucky (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to continue their success against the Wildcats in UK’s first season with new head coach Will Stein.

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 28, Vanderbilt 24

Saturday, October 24
OPEN

Image – Mizzou Athletics

Saturday, October 31
Missouri
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
With the SEC moving to a nine-game football schedule in 2026, Missouri will travel to Fayetteville and face Arkansas at Razorback Stadium for the second consecutive season. The Razorbacks will not face the Tigers the final weekend of the regular season for the first time since 2020.

Missouri will travel to Oxford to face Ole Miss (Oct. 17) before taking their bye week ahead of their game against Arkansas (Oct. 31) on Halloween. The Tigers and Razorbacks will both be coming off of their bye weeks entering their matchup.

Eli Drinkwitz’s team was solid in 2025, but could not make their first College Football Playoff appearance because injuries forced then freshman quarterback Matt Zollers into a role he was not ready for. Missouri still won eight games overall and four in the SEC thanks to a strong running game and defense but without a strong passing offense, the Tigers failed to defeat Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M or Oklahoma. Tailback Ahmad Hardy’s physical running style powered UM’s offense last season.

Tragedy hit when junior running back Hardy was shot in the off-season. His availability will be in question but backup Jamal Roberts is capable and he should be a quality piece beside Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who began the 2025 season as the starter for the Rebels before getting injured and Trinidad Chambliss taking over for him and leading them to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Senior tight end Brett Norfleet and left tackle Cayden Green headline five returners to the Tiger offense in 2026.

Corey Batoon’s defense was incredible in 2025, allowing just 18.9 points a game. There will be a new-look unit for him this fall after all 11 defenders that played for Batoon exited the program. Cornerback transfers Chris Graves Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jahlil Florence (Oregon), and linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (Auburn) will be the guys Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey will have to game plan for weeks ahead of their matchup.

Arkansas has not defeated Missouri since the 2021 season. For the Razorbacks to defeat Drinkwitz and the Tigers, it will take a phenomenal defensive performance against the dynamic quarterback Simmons, a rushing attack that could include Hardy, Roberts, and the tight end Norfleet. The Razorbacks will keep it close, but Missouri will defeat Arkansas by ten points.

The Tigers return home to face Texas (Nov. 7) to begin the final month of the regular season. The last time Missouri and Texas battled was in the 2017 Texas Bowl, when the Longhorns defeated the Tigers 33-16.

Carter’s Pick: Missouri 31, Arkansas 21

Image – ESPN

Saturday, November 7
at Auburn
Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA
As Arkansas begins the final month of the regular season, they will attempt to continue their two-game winning streak at Auburn inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn faces Ole Miss (Oct. 31) in Oxford on Halloween before hosting Arkansas. The Rebels will look to continue a two-game winning streak against the Tigers.

Auburn has not had a winning record since 2019. After Hugh Freeze’s last team on the Plains went 5-7 and won their only SEC game in Fayetteville against Arkansas (Oct. 25), his offensive acumen should be what gets the Tigers back on the right foot again in 2026.

The former South Florida coach brought key staff members and offensive contributors from the Bulls including quarterback Byrum Brown, wide receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger and center Cole Brown. Brown eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in both the 2023 and 2025 seasons after an injury half way through 2024 cut his season short. Senior running back Jeremiah Cobb returns to Auburn after rushing for 969 yards and five scores in 2025.

Golesh retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who was up for the permanent head coaching position after serving in the interim role to finish the 2025 season. Durkin returns a centerpiece at the linebacker position Xavier Atkins, a first team All-SEC selection with 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles last fall. Sophomore Elijah Melendez will complement Atkins at linebacker while the Tigers’ safety position is filled with depth, including junior Fred Gaskin III, Sylvester Smith, and sophomore Eric Winters.

Silverfield is a perfect 3-0 against Golesh during their time as head coach in the American Conference at Memphis and USF respectively. Will Auburn protect their home field against Arkansas, end that streak and defeat the Razorbacks for the first time since 2020? Coming into the 2026 season, the Tigers’ roster looks much better than Arkansas’. But something tells me Silverfield’s team will get a few wins no one expects them to get. The Razorbacks will walk into Jordan-Hare Stadium and grab their second SEC win of the season.

After facing the Razorbacks, Auburn returns to the state of Mississippi when they travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State (Nov. 14).

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 35, Auburn 31

Image – TheState.com

Saturday, November 14
South Carolina
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas will face South Carolina in Fayetteville for just the first time since 2022, when the Razorbacks defeated the Gamecocks 44-30.

South Carolina welcomes Texas A&M (Nov. 7) to open the final month of the regular season before traveling to face Arkansas (Nov. 14). The Gamecocks and Aggies have faced each other the last 12 seasons when they became cross-division rivals after being the Razorbacks’ cross-division opponent since the two teams joined the SEC.

After beginning the season ranked 11th in the AP Poll, South Carolina went 4-8 and won a single SEC game in 2025. Shane Beamer’s job is on the line after the Gamecocks’ only wins against Power 4 competition were against Virginia Tech (Aug. 31) and Kentucky (Sept. 27), which both came in the first month of the regular season.

Without support from his offensive line and a coordinator that forced him to limit his rushing ability, LaNorris Sellers and the Carolina offense faltered last fall. The defense was average after losing multiple players to the NFL Draft following the 2024 season.

As a result, Beamer fired Mike Shula and hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles for the same position in Columbia. Sellers is a similar quarterback to Briles’ last quarterback in Fayetteville, KJ Jefferson, a big body athlete with a big arm and a tremendous athlete. Sellers can thrive in this system with Nyck Harbor and his brother Jayden Sellers back at wide receiver.

The rest of the offense will be the problem for the Gamecocks. Sophomore Matt Fuller is expected to step in at tailback while tackle Josiah Thompson is out for the season and transfer Jacarrius Peak is questionable for the start of the season with a lingering knee injury.

Clayton White’s defense has many questions for the 2026 season. Star end Dylan Stewart sat out spring ball with a back issue so his availability will be critical throughout the season, especially as much as he was double-teamed last fall. Stewart is one of five returners for the South Carolina defense, including linebackers Judge Collier, Jayr Johnson, Justin Okoronkwo and safety Peyton Williams.

As Briles goes back to Fayetteville for the first time since Arkansas’ 44-30 victory against the Gamecocks four years ago, South Carolina could enter their battle against the Razorbacks having already fired their head coach, Beamer. If this is the case, which it could be, Silverfield and his team could take advantage of that. However, Sellers, Harbor, and Stewart won’t want to give up on their season. South Carolina will get their first win in Fayetteville since 2013 (Oct. 12) after defeating the Razorbacks.

South Carolina wraps up SEC play against rival Georgia (Nov. 21) when they return home from Fayetteville after facing Arkansas. The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will match up for the first time since the 2023 season when they meet up the second to last Saturday of the regular season.

Carter’s Pick: South Carolina 28, Arkansas 21

Image – AP News

Saturday, November 21
at Texas
Afternoon 2:30-3:30 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas will travel to Austin to face Texas for the second consecutive season after the SEC moved to nine league games. The Razorbacks and Longhorns will meet up in the Afternoon window for the third consecutive season.

Texas travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU (Nov. 14) before returning to Austin to face Arkansas (Nov. 21). The Longhorns and Tigers could be two College Football Playoff contenders late into November, setting up an important matchup likely set up in primetime.

After insane expectations ahead of the 2025 season, Texas failed to make the College Football Playoff after back-to-back appearances the two seasons before. Losses to Ohio State (Aug. 30), Florida (Oct. 4), and Georgia (Nov. 15). After their loss to the Bulldogs, the Longhorns finished the season strong, winning their final three games against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Arch Manning threw 11 touchdowns with only one interception during the final five games of the regular season. With Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, who has caught 13 touchdown passes over the last two seasons, joining returners Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosely V on the outside, it should be an easier start to the season for Manning and the Texas passing attack. Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown and North Carolina State transfer Hollywood Smothers will form a solid duo in the backfield for Steve Sarkisian. They will play behind a line that returns senior Connor Robertson and junior right guard Brandon Baker.

Sarkisian made an interesting decision when he fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatiwski (whose defenses gave up an average of 18.1 points per game in the last three seasons) in hopes of an even better one with the hire of Will Muschamp, who returns to Austin to fill the same position he had from 2008-2010, after serving on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia for the past five seasons. Muschamp has playmakers at every level with end Colin Simmons (12 sacks in 2025), linebackers Ty’Anthony Smith, Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh transfer), Justin Cryer (Florida State) and safety Jelani McDonald, who led the team in tackles and interceptions in 2025).

After welcoming Texas to the SEC with a dominant 40-21 in 2021, Arkansas has fallen to the Longhorns in back-to-back seasons since they joined the league. For the Razorbacks to win this late-season rivalry battle, they cannot give up over 50 points to Manning and the elite Longhorn offense, like they did in the 52-37 defeat last season.

Now, Arkansas has to return to Austin for the second consecutive season after the league’s move to nine conference games. With Manning at quarterback, Coleman, Wing, and Mosley at receiver, and Brown and Smothers at tailback, and a defense that includes Simmons up front and McDonald on the back end, Texas is in a different class than Arkansas right now. The Longhorns will defeat the Razorbacks on their way to a third College Football Playoff appearance in four seasons.

Texas finishes the regular season against instate rival Texas A&M on Black Friday in the Lone Star Showdown. The Longhorns look for their third consecutive win against the Aggies since they joined the SEC and their first College Football Playoff appearance since the 2024 season.

Carter’s Pick: Texas 42, Arkansas 21

Image – The Daily Advertiser

Saturday, November 28
LSU
Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA
Arkansas and LSU will return to the traditional spot on the schedule for the first time since the 2013 season, when the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks, 31-27.

After hosting Texas, LSU begins a two-game road trip, starting in Knoxville against Tennessee. In his first season in Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin will face two teams he used to coach, Ole Miss (Sept. 19) and UT (Nov. 21) before wrapping up the regular season against Arkansas (Nov. 28).

Following a 7-6 season that included only three wins in the SEC, LSU fired Brian Kelly. That led to one of the craziest coaching moves in SEC history when the Tigers welcomed Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin to take over the same position on the Bayou. While Kiffin’s Rebels made it all the way to the College Football Playoff Semifinals, LSU fell to Houston 38-35 in the Texas Bowl (Dec. 27).

After the Rebels did not allow Kiffin to coach his team in the playoffs after he announced his departure from Oxford, he tried to recruit some of his coaches and players to join him in Baton Rouge. He was successful in adding his offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., who was a big part in Ole Miss’ deep run last season.

While he did not get Trinidad Chambliss to join him, one of the top transfer portal quarterbacks in the country, Sam Leavitt, formerly of Arizona State will get to throw passes to former Florida wideout Eugene Wilson III and behind the top left tackle transfer in the nation, former Colorado left tackle Jordan Seaton. The LSU offense also returns senior center Brain Moore, junior playmaker at tight end Trey’Dez Green, and sophomore right tackle Weston Davis to their offense. Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Barry will be important to establish the ground game and open up passing lanes for Leavitt.

Like Golesh at Auburn, Kiffin retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker to coach Princewill Umanmielen (9 sacks in 2025) and linebacker TJ Dottery (SEC-leading 98 tackles), who both followed him to LSU. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks, junior cornerback PJ Woodland and safety Tamarcus Cooley will return to play for Baker under Kiffin, forming a unit that could be impressive in 2026. All-American cornerback Mansoor Delane is now playing in the NFL so Woodland and Cooley will have to lead their younger group that will be sitting on the bench.

With LSU back as the final game of the regular season, there should be excitement in Fayetteville when the Tigers come to town for their Saturday after Thanksgiving battle against Arkansas depending on where they are entering the final weekend of the regular season. While I am not confident in Leavitt and the new-look LSU passing attack, I am confident in Weis’ play-calling ability. The Tigers’ defense looks strong and has multiple returners and transfers that are elite. Arkansas will keep this game close in the first half but a turnover by the Razorbacks will help LSU win the Golden Boot Trophy for the fifth consecutive time.

If Kiffin’s first season in the Bayou goes well, the Tigers could be back in the SEC Championship game (Dec. 4) for the first time since 2022. Georgia defeated LSU 37-10 en route to a second consecutive national championship victory.

Carter’s Pick: LSU 31, Arkansas 21

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7) SEC

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Image – Whole Hog Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Talking Season kicks off for the Southeastern Conference on July 20 at Media Days in Tampa, with the Arkansas Razorbacks taking their turn on Thursday, July 23, with offensive lineman Caden Kitler, running back Sutton Smith and defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes will join first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield on the podium.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Football on X

Kitler started all 11 games of his redshirt junior season in 2025 and is set for another season of leading of one of the better offensive lines in the SEC. He helped pave the way for six games of 500+ yards of total offense and a 119-yard increase in rushing yards, behind tailback Mike Washington, who is now on the Las Vegas Raiders. Kitler and the Arkansas offensive line allowed 29 sacks last season, the fewest by a Razorback team since 2019 (19 sacks), and two games without a sack, one against Arkansas State (Sept. 6) and the other against Ole Miss (Sept. 13).

Smith followed Silverfield after four seasons at Memphis. As a redshirt junior, Smith played in all 12 games for the Tigers, rushing for 669 yards and seven scores on 102 carries. He caught 20 passes for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 1,058 yards on 15 punt returns. Smith had three 100-yard rushing games, highlighted by his 12 carries for a career-high 147 yards and one touchdown against Arkansas (Sept. 20). His 64-yard touchdown with 4:51 left in the game was the winning score. Smith also rushed for 100 or more yards against conference foes Troy (Sept. 13) and East Carolina (Nov. 15). Smith should thrive behind a Caden Kitler-led offensive line along with his backfield mate Braylen Russell.

Rhodes Jr. enters the 2026 season as one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC. He broke out as a junior, totaling 44 tackles with a team-leading 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, six quarterback-hurries and a forced fumble. His 15.5 tackles for loss were the most since Trey Fowlers registered the same number during the 2015 season. He is also the first Razorback to have double-digit tackles in a season since Landon Jackson (13.5 TFL) in 2023 and was the first Razorback to record three multi-sack games in a season since Tre Williams in 2021. Rhodes Jr. finished the regular season ranking 13th nationally and second in the SEC in tackles for loss per game (1.23) and 23rd nationally in sacks per game (0.67).

For Silverfield, it is his first appearance at SEC Media Days. He was one of the most successful head coaches in the country over the last six seasons at Memphis, going 50-25 overall and 27-13 in the American Conference. He led the Tigers to a pair of 10-win seasons in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024.

Arkansas kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when they welcome North Alabama to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for a 3:15 p.m. matchup on SEC Network.

Click this link to see all of players attending 2026 SEC Media Days from all 16 teams.

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