College Football 2026 Preview and the Unexpected Squirrel Phenomenon

The world of college football is buzzing as the 2026 season creeps closer. Fans, players, and coaches are gearing up for what might just be a wild, unforgettable year.

The Athletic, part of The New York Times, recently dropped a detailed primer on the season ahead. It covers the teams, standout players, and the storylines everyone’s talking about. Let’s break down the essentials and see what’s worth watching in 2026.

Key Teams to Watch

Some programs always seem to dominate college football. This year, a few teams really stand out as potential powerhouses.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban still leads the Alabama Crimson Tide, and honestly, they look tough as ever. With a loaded roster, Alabama is chasing yet another national championship.

Bryce Young at quarterback and Trey Sanders at running back are the players everyone’s watching.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State, under Ryan Day, keeps cranking out top-tier performances. This season, C.J. Stroud returns at quarterback, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba catching passes.

Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers are in the hunt, too. Their defense looks strong, and the offense can explode at any moment.

Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee are the big names here.

Players to Watch

Sometimes, it’s the individual stars who tip the scales in a season. Here are a few guys you’ll want to keep tabs on in 2026.

Quarterbacks

• Bryce Young – Alabama
• C.J. Stroud – Ohio State
• D.J. Uiagalelei – Clemson

Running Backs

• Trey Sanders – Alabama
• Trevion Henderson – Ohio State
• Will Shipley – Clemson

Wide Receivers

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State
• Kayshon Boutte – LSU
• Jordan Addison – USC

Coaching Changes

This offseason has seen some pretty big coaching moves. New faces bring fresh strategies and maybe a bit of chaos to their new teams.

Lincoln Riley to USC

Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC, and folks are already buzzing about what his offense might do for the Trojans. Could this be the spark USC’s been missing in the Pac-12?

Brian Kelly to LSU

Brian Kelly jumped from Notre Dame to LSU. He brings a ton of experience and a winning mindset, and LSU fans are hoping he can turn things around fast.

Mario Cristobal to Miami

Mario Cristobal, once a Miami player himself, left Oregon to coach the Hurricanes. There’s a sense of pride returning to Miami, and maybe a new edge, too.

Top Storylines

The teams and players are just part of the story. This season’s got a few twists that could shake things up across the country.

Playoff Expansion

The College Football Playoff is expanding from four to eight teams. That’s huge. More teams get a shot at the championship, and—who knows?—maybe we’ll see some wild upsets.

NIL Impact

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are still changing everything. Players can sign endorsements and earn real money, which means picking a school isn’t just about football anymore.

Recruiting feels different now, with top prospects weighing NIL opportunities along with tradition and coaching.

Conference Realignment

Conference realignment is shaking up old rivalries and making new ones. Texas and Oklahoma are heading to the SEC, while Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF join the Big 12.

It’s a lot to keep track of, but that unpredictability is what makes college football so addictive, right?