Back to having 10 conferences... (CFB Preview thread 2026)

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

So Texas Tech and Texas are starting to get a little chippy, as Tech wanted to buy out some people just so they can play Texas in Week 1. ...That must mean the CFB season is fast approaching! And once again, my threads are your one-stop source for all of your team previews!

But first, I need to figure out who's gonna stand out in the now "Group of Six" group of teams. Tomorrow, I'll have my first previews up and running.

 

[speedfrk]

I can see the season just over the horizon

 

[ThomasTomasz]

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Boise State

The first preview segment of the 2026 season: The Boise State Broncos

Last season: Let's start the 2026 previews off right, with a household name in a new conference! Now granted, Boise State did suffer a few bumps and bruises last year (USF, Fresno, and San Diego come to mind). But Boise refused to fold, and with QB Maddux Madsen leading the way the Broncos would win the Mountain West in their last year in the league.
Now in 2026, Boise State is in the new PAC-12, and they want to go far in it.

Good news: Maddux Madsen is back for one more year, and he'll have an experienced O-line working for him. The running game is also in good hands with Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines also returning. The D-line should be better than it was a year ago in generating sacks.

Bad news: Jaden Mickey is the only one I trust in the Boise secondary, as it is almost starting over from scratch. The return game on special teams needs to be woken up, and Boise's top 4 pass catchers from 2025 are gone.

Key games:
9/5 @ Oregon (Maddux is currently 0-4 against "Power 4" teams. If he finds some new targets in time for this game, maybe he can reverse that trend.)
9/26 @ Western Michigan (Call me nuts, but I think this can be a good one. It's conference champion vs. conference champion!)
10/10 @ Fresno State (Boise will start life in the PAC-12 against Utah State, but I think they'll be more focused on this one. Fresno State embarrassed the Broncos last year in Boise 30-7.)
11/21 vs. San Diego State (Another revenge game for the Broncos... and also a game that'll decide who gets to go to the PAC-12 title game.)

Bottom line: So how far can Boise go in 2026? Maddux will do his part, so it'll be up to the running game and wide-receivers that are around him. If they step up, anything is possible for Boise in 2026. Heck, maybe they can crash the College Football Playoff...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Texas State

Preview segment: The Texas State Bobcats

Last season: For all of the talk that head coach GJ Kinne does about Texas State's offense (and don't get me wrong, it is really good), it was the defense that saved the 2025 season for the Bobcats. Don't believe me?
Well, during a 5-game losing streak in the middle of the season, Texas State gave up an average of 42.6 points per game. Then the SECOND the defense actually DID something, the Bobcats ended on a 4-game winning streak which included a bowl triumph.

Bad news: The Bobcat defense still has some work to do, as it has a new coordinator and some big holes to fill on the D-line.

Good news: At least the Bobcat offense will be it's old explosive self; QB Brad Jackson is back, and so are his top 2 WR's from a year ago.

Key games:
9/12 vs. UTSA (Texas State has some in-state business to take care of this September; after visiting the Longhorns in the opener, they'll host the Roadrunners.)
9/19 vs. North Texas (And then, the Bobcats will host a North Texas program that went on a major roll last season.)
10/3 @ San Diego State (Texas State's first game as a member of the PAC-12, and it could be a tough one; SDSU looks loaded.)
11/14 vs. Fresno State (This should be a fun, high-scoring affair. But will Texas State's defense actually do something here?)

Bottom line: I think you get the point; the Bobcat defense will tell how their inaugural run in the PAC-12 will go. Texas State should still light up the scoreboard, which should help them get back to a bowl. But if the team wants to shoot for a conference title, improvements must be made.

 

[socalduck7]

in

 

[Digger]

I'll take one Brad Jackson over ten Maddux Madsen's.

 

[Boise4Life]

I'll take one Brad Jackson over ten Maddux Madsen's.

Agreed. And once the level of competition ramps up, Madsen really struggles. He’s performed terribly against the Power 4 teams he’s played.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Washington State

Preview segment: The Washington State Cougars

Last season: Man, Washington State has been through the wringer BIG TIME these last several years. 5 coaches over an 8-year span. Watching the PAC-12 conference collapse around them. And yet, the Cougars keep finding ways to win. Why, in 2025 they went 7-6 with a bowl win... and this was when their offense actually kinda sucked.
Now with the PAC-12 starting to revive itself, Wazzu is hoping to stay resilient and keep winning.

Good news: New head coach Kirby Moore is considered an offensive innovator. Combine that with a solid O-line and a new powerful QB in Caden Pinnick, and the Cougars offense should be MUCH better.

Bad news: Wazzu actually had a stout defense in 2025... and it's all gone now. And, isn't Kirby Moore the 3rd head coach in 3 years for Wazzu? That CAN'T be good for team and program continuity.

Key games:
9/5 @ Washington (You simply can't forget about the "Apple Cup" if you're a Cougar fan... even if the rival Huskies are looking strong again.)
9/26 vs. Arizona (Give the new PAC-12 some credit; they're not afraid to schedule some tough games for their members.)
10/3 vs. Fresno State (Washington State will be the team to welcome the Bulldogs of Fresno into the PAC-12 fold.)
10/31 @ San Diego State (Wazzu faced the Aztecs last year... and won 36-13. You know SDSU wants revenge.)

Bottom line: The defense is starting over from scratch, and the schedule will not be kind to Wazzu at all. But the Cougars have been through worse; they'll be able to survive 2026 if their offense fulfills their promise of improvement.

 

[Digger]

Washington State

Preview segment: The Washington State Cougars

Last season: Man, Washington State has been through the wringer BIG TIME these last several years. 5 coaches over an 8-year span. Watching the PAC-12 conference collapse around them. And yet, the Cougars keep finding ways to win. Why, in 2025 they went 7-6 with a bowl win... and this was when their offense actually kinda sucked.
Now with the PAC-12 starting to revive itself, Wazzu is hoping to stay resilient and keep winning.

Good news: New head coach Kirby Moore is considered an offensive innovator. Combine that with a solid O-line and a new powerful QB in Caden Pinnick, and the Cougars offense should be MUCH better.

Bad news: Wazzu actually had a stout defense in 2025... and it's all gone now. And, isn't Kirby Moore the 3rd head coach in 3 years for Wazzu? That CAN'T be good for team and program continuity.

Key games:
9/5 @ Washington (You simply can't forget about the "Apple Cup" if you're a Cougar fan... even if the rival Huskies are looking strong again.)
9/26 vs. Arizona (Give the new PAC-12 some credit; they're not afraid to schedule some tough games for their members.)
10/3 vs. Fresno State (Washington State will be the team to welcome the Bulldogs of Fresno into the PAC-12 fold.)
10/31 @ San Diego State (Wazzu faced the Aztecs last year... and won 36-13. You know SDSU wants revenge.)

Bottom line: The defense is starting over from scratch, and the schedule will not be kind to Wazzu at all. But the Cougars have been through worse; they'll be able to survive 2026 if their offense fulfills their promise of improvement.

I'm excited to watch Soph transfer QB Caden Pinnick who had a big year as a Fr at UC Davis, if he can win the job.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Oregon State

Preview segment: The Oregon State Beavers

Last season: Oh god... I just read something about what could happen if the Strait of Hormuz were to close and stay closed. The economy would go into a free-fall! People would die! CIVILIZATIONS WILL DIE AND IMPLODE AND THE WORLD COULD ENTER AN ICE AGE AND-
*smack*

Huff... puff... Sorry about that, my dark side had to smack me back to reality. ...Oh, Oregon State! Well, they were terrible in 2025 and went 2-10, so sorry if i was thinking about something else. Anyway, let's see if the new coach JaMarcus Shephard can turn things around.

Good news: The front-6 that Oregon State has on defense could be the best in the PAC-12; it's experienced and deep. New receivers like Eric Olsen and Xavyion Noland should help out the passing game.

Bad news: The O-line is a question mark, and questions will continue to plague QB Maalik Murphy until he lives up to his potential (and/or remains healthy).

Key games:
9/12 vs. Texas Tech (OSU's non-conference slate will not help matters; they'll visit Houston in Week 1, and then deal with the Red Raiders again the following week.)
10/3 @ Colorado State (The Rams are breaking in a new team, so the Beavers have a shot to win this one.)
11/7 vs. Texas State (Is Texas State the oddball in this new-look PAC-12? Oregon State will find out in this winnable conference game.)
11/28 @ Washington State (Oregon State has faced the Cougars 4 times over the last 2 seasons. And we could have another double-bill between those two in 2026; the PAC-12 is trying out a "Flex game" system for the last week of the regular season. Stay tuned for updates.)

Bottom line: The defense will keep Oregon State in games this season, but can the offense wake up? If it can't, Oregon State may be doomed to finish last in the new PAC-12 in 2026.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Utah State

Preview segment: The Utah State Aggies

Last season: Utah State showed immediate improvement in Year 1 of the Bronco Mendenhall era. Okay, so they went 6-7. But look closer; their offense was much better and they almost beat some tough guys like Boise State and UNLV.

Good news: Bronco is reuniting with his old buddy Robert Anue (as the new offensive coordinator), and this partnership has worked every time in college. The O-line should be great, and the defense returns experience in all 3 key areas.

Bad news: That defense kinda sucked in 2025 (129th overall), so let's hope that they can keep producing turnovers. New wide-receivers need to be found, and quick.

2026 X-factor: New QB McCae Hillstead (This guy won the starting job in the spring, but he's replacing a stud in Bryson Barnes, who was a great runner and passer. We'll see if this guy can step up to the plate and lead the team.)

Key games:
9/19 @ Utah (Oooo! Always a fun thing to see Utah State challenge their in-state bullies in Salt Lake City.)
10/3 @ Boise State (Uh oh. This is Utah State's 1st game in the new PAC-12, and it could be an ugly one against the Broncos.)
11/7 vs. Fresno State (The Aggies were able to beat Fresno State last year.)
11/21 @ Oregon State (Huh. These teams have only met 4 times in their prior history [the last time was in 2021].)

Bottom line: In their new league, Utah State will have just as good of a chance to make the PAC-12 title game as the other 7 teams. But much will depend on their new QB and how much that defense of theirs improves.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Colorado State

Preview segment: The Colorado State Rams

Last season: So despite a good 2024, Colorado State was hesitant to give Jay Novell a contract extension. As it turns out, the staff at the school has strong ESP; CSU stumbled right out of the gate. Then, Novell was fired in the middle of the season, and the Rams would end up finishing 2-10.
Enter Jim Mora, who is coming off a brilliant stint at UConn. Can HE be the one to get the Rams to the top?

Good news: The D-line should be bigger and healthier than it was a year ago. The tight-ends look very athletic, and Kali Nguma should help stabilize the kicking game.

Bad news: Even by today's standards, this rebuild is quite extreme; we have more than 60 new players in Fort Collins. We don't know who the starting QB is yet, and the wide-receiver group is a big mystery.

Key games:
9/5 vs. Wyoming (Yay! Great to see that Colorado State hasn't forgotten about their old rivals from Wyoming. But in all seriousness, this will be a VERY important opener for both teams.)
10/17 @ Texas State (This will be the first time ever that Colorado State and Texas State will face off.)
11/7 vs. Boise State (The last time Boise State went to Fort Collins, the Rams actually defeated them 31-30.)
11/21 @ Fresno State (Fresno was the only FBS team that the Rams defeated last year.)

Bottom line: Look. Don't worry about the Rams if they struggle in 2026. Jim Mora was winning at UConn! He knows what he's doing. It may just take a while for him to get going in Fort Collins, as they got a HUGE amount of newness to handle.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Fresno State

Preview segment: The Fresno State Bulldogs

Last season: Fresno did pretty well in Matt Enez's 1st season at the helm; the Bulldogs went 9-4. And it included a bowl win in front of Snoop Dogg, and (more importantly) a rivalry win over Boise State. Now Fresno is hoping for a PAC-12 title in their first year in the league.

Bad news: Great. Another team that's having a QB battle; we have Khristian Martin and Jayden Mendal going at it. Depth at the O-line is also a concern.

Good news: The defense was REALLY good last season, and a surprising amount of it is back for 2026; the run defense should be awesome. Whoever is the starting QB will have some good RB's and Josiah Freeman at WR to help out.

Key games:
9/12 vs. Sacramento State (Fresno has some big business to take care of in the state of California this September. After opening at USC, they'll host the Hornets of Sacramento to show them what the FBS level is gonna be about.)
9/19 @ San Jose State (And then, they pay a visit to one of their most hated rivals. This will be a BIG game for team morale... for BOTH teams.)
10/10 vs. Boise State (October will be another busy month for Fresno; they'll host those darn Broncos of Boise...)
10/17 @ San Diego State (...before dealing with another bitter rival in San Diego a week later.)

Bottom line: Fresno should be just fine in 2026; they have 13 starters coming back, which is a treat in this day and age. And their defense looks ready to be nasty again. Can they win the PAC-12? It'll all depend on the QB they hitch their trailer to.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

San Diego State

The last preview segment for the PAC-12: The San Diego State Aztecs

Last season: In 2025, Sean Lewis showed us how to go from 3-9 to 9-4 in one season. It's actually pretty easy: Fix your defense, find a QB that can run your system, and don't fall on the negative side of the turnover battle. Can SDSU keep the good times rolling in 2026 in a new league?

Good news: The D-line should still be great despite losing a few people, and Lucky Sutton is back to carry the running game. Plus, I'm confident that QB Jayden Denegal will step up his game from last year.

Bad news: Thing is, it could be hard for Jayden to do it with a rebuilding O-line. The kicking game is all-new, and the secondary will miss Chris Johson (a 1st-round draft pick in the NFL Draft last April).

Key games:
9/12 @ UCLA (The Aztecs actually beat the Bruins the last time they traveled to Pasadena. But if SDSU wants to do it again, they BETTER have their passing game ready to go.)
9/19 vs. James Madison (OOOO! This one could be good, too; SDSU gets to host a CFP team from last season.)
10/17 vs. Fresno State (A big game for the Aztecs' chances in the PAC-12; they'll get the Bulldogs right after they face Boise State.)
11/21 @ Boise State (Oh, and speaking of the Broncos, they lost to the Aztecs last year. Could SDSU do it again, this time in Boise?)

Bottom line: I have faith that San Diego State will have a better offense and challenge for the PAC-12 title this year. But if they want to win it, they'll have to replace some big studs on their defense. Maybe some of their transfers can help with that...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

PAC-12 Predictions

Now here is how I see the PAC-12 shaking out in 2026:

1. Boise State (Conference champs, maybe playoff team)
2. Fresno State
3. San Diego State
4. Utah State
5. Washington State
6. Texas State
7. Oregon State
8. Colorado State

So all 8 teams have the word "State" in it. Hmm... I don't know if Colin Cowherd is gonna like this league too much. Anyway, tomorrow I'll start my look at the Sun Belt.

 

[Odious_LA]

Boise State

The first preview segment of the 2026 season: The Boise State Broncos

Last season: Let's start the 2026 previews off right, with a household name in a new conference! Now granted, Boise State did suffer a few bumps and bruises last year (USF, Fresno, and San Diego come to mind). But Boise refused to fold, and with QB Maddux Madsen leading the way the Broncos would win the Mountain West in their last year in the league.
Now in 2026, Boise State is in the new PAC-12, and they want to go far in it.

Good news: Maddux Madsen is back for one more year, and he'll have an experienced O-line working for him. The running game is also in good hands with Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines also returning. The D-line should be better than it was a year ago in generating sacks.

Bad news: Jaden Mickey is the only one I trust in the Boise secondary, as it is almost starting over from scratch. The return game on special teams needs to be woken up, and Boise's top 4 pass catchers from 2025 are gone.

Key games:
9/5 @ Oregon (Maddux is currently 0-4 against "Power 4" teams. If he finds some new targets in time for this game, maybe he can reverse that trend.)
9/26 @ Western Michigan (Call me nuts, but I think this can be a good one. It's conference champion vs. conference champion!)
10/10 @ Fresno State (Boise will start life in the PAC-12 against Utah State, but I think they'll be more focused on this one. Fresno State embarrassed the Broncos last year in Boise 30-7.)
11/21 vs. San Diego State (Another revenge game for the Broncos... and also a game that'll decide who gets to go to the PAC-12 title game.)

Bottom line: So how far can Boise go in 2026? Maddux will do his part, so it'll be up to the running game and wide-receivers that are around him. If they step up, anything is possible for Boise in 2026. Heck, maybe they can crash the College Football Playoff...

Maddux Madison coming back is not good for Boise State imo

Everytime the Broncos are on the cusp of taking down another big school, Madison wets the bed.

 

[Jennerpeach]

CFB Countdown Clock

CLICK^^^

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Georgia State

The first preview segment for the Sun Belt Conference: The Georgia State Panthers

Last season: What is with Level 19 of the original "Doom II" game? How was I supposed to know that in order to get to that red building, you had to feel around every part of the wall until you find a random switch that just so happened to get you up to a place where you have to run off the side of the citadel to get to the red building? If you didn't have a guide, you would have been running around that citadel forever just-
What? Oh, the Georgia State preview. Well, they went 1-11 with no wins over FBS teams, so sorry if I got distracted again.

Good news: The O-line is looking good, which is good news for a RB room that has improved depth. Cameran Brown is back as the Panthers' starting QB.

Bad news: Some new top receivers have to be found. And the entire defense has GOT to get better, especially in the secondary (it only got 3 picks last season).

Key games:
9/12 @ Kennesaw State (Good news for the Panthers: They have another Atlanta-area rival to play with. Bad news: That Atlanta rival [Kennesaw] had a fun time last year, and they want more.)
10/3 vs. Old Dominion (Coach Dell McGee really needs to get more wins in conference. Upsetting Old Dominion in the Sun Belt opener would be a great start.)
10/31 vs. Coastal Carolina (Another winnable Sun Belt game for the Panthers.)

Bottom line: Wow... Does Danhausen really have supernatural powers? He still has a curse on Mike Mizanin, and Mike's football team (the Browns) just lost Myles Garrett. He uncursed the New York Knicks, and now they're two wins away from an NBA championship. Coincidence, or is there really a-
Huh?! Oh, I got distracted again. That must mean I don't like Georgia State's chances in 2026. Unless something big happens there, they might be shopping for a new coach in December.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Appalachian State

Preview segment: The Appalachian State Mountaineers

Last season: 2025 was a bit of a disappointment for App. State. I mean, it started off OK with a 4-2 start. But then the defense began to crap out, and the next thing we knew App. State had finished a 5-8 season. Now 2nd-year head coach Dowell Loggains is facing a MAJOR rebuild.

Bad news: AJ Swann transferred to Mississippi State. JJ Kohl transferred to Florida International. With those 2 gone, the QB room at App. State is muddled as hell (with no assigned starter yet). Oh, and the coaching staff must replace 38 other guys that left, with the defense needing the most amount of work.

Good news: At least the O-line looks good, as it returns 3 starters. And the WR's that App. State got in the portal should add some zip to the offense.

Key games:
9/12 @ East Carolina (This is a HUGE barometer game for the Mountaineers. If they stumble against East Carolina, they'll have no chance when they play NC State 2 weeks later.)
10/10 vs. Old Dominion (One of the problems App. State had in 2025 was closing out games; they lost by 3 to ODU last season.)
10/22 vs. James Madison (App. State needs to upset the Dukes here if they want any chance to reclaim their top spot in the Sun Belt.)
10/31 @ Georgia Southern (Losing twice to a rival like Georgia Southern last year had to REALLY sting for the Mountaineers.)

Bottom line: Well, this is a strange situation developing in Boone. Normally, I would be expecting App. State to challenge for the Sun Belt East title, or at least a bowl. But their rebuild is still going on, and losing their top 2 QB's to the portal does not help AT ALL. Sad to say, but the Mountaineers may be doomed to sit at home during the postseason this year.