College football is just two months away from Week 0 of the regular season. Soon, fans will fire up the grills, marching bands will play the alma mater, and another season will kick off. Few traditions in sports can match the excitement of college football.
Several programs will enter the 2026 season with brand-new coaching staffs, while others have reloaded through the transfer portal and signed strong recruiting classes. Not all of them will contend for a national championship, but a handful could emerge as dark-horse candidates for the College Football Playoff.
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Whether fueled by coaching changes, roster overhauls, or momentum from last season, 2026 has all the ingredients for a season full of surprises. Here are four teams that could exceed expectations and make plenty of noise.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn War Eagle Aurea flies before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead the Mercer Bears 35-17 at halftime.
At some point, Auburn has to get its head coaching hire right. This time, the Tigers turned to Alex Golesh, who previously served as USF’s head coach. After two consecutive coaching hires fell well short of expectations, Golesh inherits a program with relatively modest expectations. Auburn fans are eager to end a 16-year national title drought, but that goal is likely still a year or two away.
That said, Golesh has an opportunity to make an immediate impact. Auburn could pull off a few upsets and climb the SEC standings, even after losing several key playmakers. Golesh also reunited with his former quarterback from USF, giving the Tigers some much-needed continuity on offense.
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Expect several of Auburn’s highly touted four-star recruits from the 2026 class to contribute early. Reaching seven or more wins would represent significant progress and provide a strong foundation for the future.
Georgia Tech
Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; The Georgia tech mascot Buzz takes a selfie during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Brent Key’s Yellow Jackets finally broke through in 2025. They finished just one conference win shy of reaching the ACC Championship Game, but a five-way tiebreaker ultimately sent Duke instead.
Now, Georgia Tech has a chance to build on that momentum. Replicating the consistency and physicality that defined last season will be the key to taking another step forward in 2026.
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If the Yellow Jackets continue their upward trajectory, they could find themselves in the ACC title race from start to finish.
Florida Gators
The helmet of Florida Gators wide receiver Ja’Quavion Fraziars (0) before the game against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Eastern Washington Eagles
Florida made one of the strongest coaching hires of the offseason by bringing in Jon Sumrall. He has built an impressive résumé, leading Troy to sustained success before guiding Tulane to a College Football Playoff appearance.
Now, Sumrall takes over a Florida program with more resources than he’s ever had at his disposal. The Gators have struggled throughout much of the 2020s, but this season could mark the beginning of a turnaround.
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Can Florida make an immediate statement in Sumrall’s first season and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff?
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Dec 17, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; New North Texas Mean Green head coach Eric Morris reacts on the sidelines during a game against the Boise State Broncos at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Eric Morris didn’t just bring his coaching staff from North Texas to Stillwater—he also landed one of the transfer portal’s biggest prizes. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker enters 2026 as one of the nation’s most intriguing prospects, with some analysts already projecting him as a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The Big 12 isn’t known for dominant defenses, and Morris’ up-tempo Air Raid offense has the potential to thrive in the conference. If the Cowboys adapt quickly to their new system, Oklahoma State could work its way back into the conversation for a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game.
