The 2026 college football season is poised for significant developments, with predictions including Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr capturing the Heisman Trophy and a potential exit for coaching legend Bill Belichick from the University of North Carolina.
CJ Carr is projected to be the standout player for Notre Dame in 2026, his second year as the team's primary quarterback. He will be supported by three returning starters on the offensive line and key receivers Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse. Carr's Heisman campaign is expected to gain momentum in early November, particularly after a strong performance against Miami in a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams. The last Notre Dame player to win the Heisman was wide receiver Tim Brown in 1987.
Oregon is also a strong contender, with coach Dan Lanning at the helm, featuring quarterback Dante Moore and a defense returning five All-Big Ten selections. Despite past playoff disappointments, Oregon is predicted to be the last team standing in 2026, securing a national championship and marking the fourth consecutive year a Big Ten program wins the title. Moore's decision to return to school is seen as a key factor in their success.
BYU is predicted to make a College Football Playoff appearance for the first time, potentially upsetting top teams like Indiana and Notre Dame. The Big 12 champion Cougars, despite being under-seeded due to regular-season losses, are expected to challenge strong opponents with their experienced defense and Heisman Trophy finalist running back LJ Martin. They are projected to reach the semifinals before facing a tough loss to Texas.
Coaching Changes and Team Struggles
Bill Belichick's tenure as head coach at North Carolina is predicted to be short-lived. After a 4-8 record in his first year, a tougher schedule in 2026, including games against Notre Dame, Miami, Louisville, and Clemson, could lead to the 74-year-old coach stepping down. Contributing factors may include the absence of his general manager, Mike Lombardi, who is on administrative leave, and his son and defensive coordinator, Steve, being on medical leave. The team also had no players named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Texas A&M is forecasted to be a preseason disappointment in 2026, failing to live up to expectations after a strong previous season. A manageable schedule in the prior year contributed to their 11 wins and playoff appearance. However, the 2026 schedule includes challenging road games against LSU and Oklahoma, as well as home matchups with Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. The team has also faced key personnel losses, including receiver KC Concepcion, four starting offensive linemen, leading tackler Taurean York, and top pass rusher Cashius Howell.