Revenge is often an overrated angle, and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is not playing it up. After the Fighting Irish got the cold shoulder from the College Football Playoff committee in December, Freeman didn’t complain or look for sympathy. He took accountability, essentially saying his team was left out because it left some doubt.
Notre Dame lost its first two games by a total of four points, but those were by far the most important games of its season. In the end, a 10-game win streak against a bunch of cupcakes and a couple of fringe ranked teams was not enough to overcome a slow start. That’s why “Leave No Doubt” is Freeman’s motto for the Irish this season.
While there is some revenge to exact against Miami, the Irish are focused on the bigger picture and will be playing the role of avengers — an angry group seeking to inflict punishment and setting out for retributive justice for the way last year’s team was wronged by the committee and the system.
Of course, Notre Dame is always polarizing, inspiring either love or hate with little middle ground, similar to In-N-Out Burger, LeBron James or a high-ranking political figure. While some haters will say it was right to exclude the Irish from the playoff, the truth is it was wrong. Oddsmakers know it was wrong, and the power rankings showed it.
At the end of last season, Notre Dame was No. 3 in my power rankings, behind only Ohio State and Indiana. A flawed CFP system that included James Madison and Tulane also welcomed Southeastern Conference pretenders Oklahoma and Alabama into the 12-team bracket. There is no doubt the Irish would have been favored against all four of those teams.
On a neutral field in a playoff game, the Buckeyes might have been the only team favored against the Fighting Irish. How about the Hoosiers? Indiana, the 16-0 national champion, has not been defeated since it was a 7-point underdog in a 27-17 loss at Notre Dame in the first round of the 2024 playoff.
That’s a long setup for this announcement: Notre Dame is No. 1 in the VSiN preseason Top 50 for 2026. The decision is not unanimous and the numbers show it’s a close call. This poll is a result of power rankings created by me and professional handicapper Paul Stone. After the two sets of rankings produced an average number for each team, there were some ties. In this case, I broke the tie and ranked the Irish at the top with Oregon No. 2 and Ohio State No. 3.
“My top five are bunched tightly, but when in doubt, go with Ohio State,” said Stone, who ranks the Buckeyes first. “Is there a more complete team than Oregon on paper entering the season? I don’t think so. If someone wants to argue that Notre Dame should be the preseason No. 1, I’m not offering much resistance.”
Stone’s top 10: Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia, Texas, Miami, Indiana, LSU, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
My top 10: Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Indiana, Miami, LSU, BYU and Mississippi.
“There isn’t much separating the top seven teams,” Fox Sports analyst Chris “The Bear” Fallica said. “One could throw Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Miami and Notre Dame into a hat and pull them out in any order and I’d probably say, ‘OK, I can buy that.’”
Notre Dame will be favored in all 12 games and likely a double-digit favorite in 10 of those games. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr, who debuted in a 27-24 loss at Miami last year, is one of the Heisman Trophy favorites along with Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
“The Irish enter the season with the nation’s top defense, and few would be surprised if Carr leaves Manhattan with the Heisman the second Saturday in December,” Stone said.
Notre Dame also has a “kind schedule,” Stone noted, but the schedule is not a factor in my power rating. I favor the Irish over every other team on a neutral field, even if it’s by only one or two points against the other teams in the top five. Miami and BYU are the strongest opponents set to face the Irish, who open the season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
If you start a power rating simply by grading the coach, quarterback and defense, who rates better than Notre Dame? The Irish return 10 starters on defense, Carr matured quickly as a freshman with 24 touchdown passes to six interceptions, and Freeman guided the Irish to the national title game after the 2024 season.
In his preview magazine, Phil Steele noted, “This defense is loaded with depth and talent at every level. All nine sets of my power ratings are calling for 12-0. ND has playoff experience and a great shot at winning it all.”
It can be argued Oregon deserves to be No. 1, and the same goes for Ohio State. The Ducks, who return quarterback Dante Moore and much more, could be the fourth different Big Ten team in four years to win it all. The Buckeyes bring back quarterback Julian Sayin and wideout Jeremiah Smith, who has 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in two seasons, but they lost seven NFL draft picks on the defensive side.
“The Buckeyes have to replace some elite talent in the back two levels of their defense, but they have allowed less than 13 points a game in each of the past three seasons, and Jeremiah Smith is arguably the most impactful player in college football,” Stone said. “The Ducks are stacked on both lines and have no apparent weaknesses. One of these days (coach) Dan Lanning is going to break through and bring a championship to Eugene. Might this be the year?”
Fallica is hesitant to buy the Longhorns, who have reached the playoff two of the past three years and bring back Manning and dominant defensive end Colin Simmons, among many others. Everything is bigger with Texas, which is reportedly spending $35 million on its player roster and close to $25 million on its coaching staff.
“I think Texas is No. 1 heading into the season based solely on numbers, but factor in the schedule and they certainly could go 9-3,” Fallica said. “The Longhorns predictably did well in the transfer portal and Manning played at a much higher level over the second half of the season.”
The Longhorns went 7-1 to finish last season, with Georgia dealing the loss, 35-10. The Bulldogs are a popular pick to win the SEC with a stronger defense and veteran quarterback.
My power rankings, combined with Stone’s rankings, form the VSiN preseason Top 50:
1. NOTRE DAME
If sophomore quarterback CJ Carr stays healthy, the Irish should go 12-0 and claim the top seed in the CFP. Two running backs were drafted in the NFL’s first round and both (Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price) were from Notre Dame, yet that position is still loaded with talent and features Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young and Nolan James. The offensive line ranks among the nation’s best, and Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter boosts the receiving corps. The defense is elite. This team is highly motivated and shows no weaknesses.
2. OREGON
Ducks coach Dan Lanning lost his defensive coordinator (Tosh Lupoi, California) and offensive coordinator (Will Stein, Kentucky) to head coaching jobs, but he doesn’t lose often. Lanning is 48-8 in four years, including 17-1 in Big Ten play the past two years. The downside is the Ducks were blown out by eventual national champions Ohio State and Indiana in playoff games the past two years. Senior quarterback Dante Moore will be an early NFL pick, and the defensive front is arguably the nation’s strongest.
3. OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are as good as it gets at the offense’s most important positions with quarterback Julian Sayin (77% completions and 32 touchdowns last season), running back Bo Jackson (1,090 yards) and receiver Jeremiah Smith (87 receptions, 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns). The defense must replace a lot of NFL talent, though reloading is seldom a problem. The Michigan monkey, meaning a four-game losing streak, is finally off coach Ryan Day’s back, but now he’s got a Curt Cignetti problem and plays at Indiana in October.
4. GEORGIA
In the so-called ‘year of the quarterback’ in college football, Georgia senior Gunner Stockton is often overlooked because he’s not a top NFL prospect. But he’s a clutch dual-threat playmaker (24 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns last season), and leading rusher Nate Frazier also returns. Two-time national championship coach Kirby Smart is 40-5 in SEC play since 2021. “Georgia’s offense might lack the firepower of some of the other contenders, but the Dawgs can run the ball and play sound defense,” Stone said.
5. TEXAS
Big checks were written to get Arch Manning more offensive help as coach Steve Sarkisian brought in Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and NC State running back Hollywood Smothers. Sark also made a sharp hire by getting Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. “Manning rebounded nicely last season after stumbling through September,” Stone said. “Manning has the top trio of receivers (Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley) in the country, plus his running ability will be showcased more this season.”
6. INDIANA
The Hoosiers were No. 16 in these power rankings a year ago, so are they underrated again? Curt Cignetti, 27-2 in two seasons in Bloomington, is a former Nick Saban assistant who looks like the new version of him. Top overall pick Fernando Mendoza and seven other draft picks are gone to the NFL. Cignetti sees something in TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (42 turnovers in 31 career starts). Indiana ranked No. 2 in scoring defense (11.7 ppg) but will be near the top again despite losing some key players.
7. MIAMI
Cignetti got a few scares last season, and one came from the Hurricanes in a 27-21 national title game. Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah could be an upgrade from Carson Beck. Mensah benefits from the return of leading rusher Mark Fletcher (1,192 yards, 10 touchdowns) and leading receiver Malachi Toney (109 catches, 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns). First-round draft picks Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor will be missed on the defensive front. Miami has never won the ACC and coach Mario Cristobal’s team is the odds-on favorite (-135).
8. LSU
New coach Lane Kiffin used LSU’s resources to hit the transfer portal and the haul was huge. The top quarterbacks (Sam Leavitt, Arizona State; Husan Longstreet, USC) are transfers, and so are the three top receivers (Eugene Wilson, Florida; Jackson Harris, Hawaii; Winston Watkins, Ole Miss) and veteran left tackle Jordan Seaton (Colorado). Senior linebacker Whit Weeks and transfer end Princewill Umanmielen (Ole Miss) lead the defense.
9. MISSISSIPPI
Pete Golding won two of three playoff games after taking over for Kiffin, and his job as head coach was made much easier when dual-threat quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (4,464 total yards and 30 touchdowns) was granted an extra year of eligibility and running back Kewan Lacy (1,567 rushing yards, 24 TDs) returned. Golding lost two defensive starters to LSU, but the defense will be strong. The schedule is brutal, so Golding will be tested.
10. OKLAHOMA
Senior quarterback John Mateer had a hot hand to start last season, but he never was the same after a hand injury. Expectations are high for Mateer, who suddenly resembles a bodybuilder and should put up big numbers. Brent Venables is not a great head coach, but he can coach defense with the best of them, and the Sooners return senior safety Peyton Bowen and several other veterans from the nation’s No. 7 scoring defense (15.5 ppg).
11. TEXAS A&M
In two years in College Station, coach Mike Elko has won 19 games. His 11-2 record last season was a bit of a downer considering the Aggies lost their final two games to Texas and Miami. Junior quarterback Marcel Reed can look electric at times, but he slumped and put up a total of only 20 points in the losses to the Longhorns and Hurricanes. It’s not going to be easy for Elko to replace 10 players who were NFL picks.
12. TEXAS TECH
This news did not fly under the radar: quarterback Brendan Sorsby, a transfer from Cincinnati, departed the program amid a gambling controversy. Will Hammond is returning from a knee injury and should be fine as the starter when healthy. Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire had the money to reload after losing five defensive starters to the NFL. Texas Tech is the Big 12 favorite (-105) thanks to a ridiculously soft schedule.
13. BYU
The second choice on the Big 12 odds board is BYU (+550), but coach Kalani Sitake does not draw an easy schedule. Back-to-back games versus Notre Dame (Oct. 17) and at UCF (Oct. 24) will be pivotal. The Cougars are loaded with experience and talent on defense. The offense is in good hands with sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier (3,033 passing yards and 15 touchdowns; 527 rushing yards and 11 TDs) and star running back LJ Martin.
14. USC
It’s time for Lincoln Riley to reach the CFP in his fifth year as USC coach. Two seniors — quarterback Jayden Maiava (3,711 passing yards, 24 touchdowns) and running back Waymond Jordan — will operate behind one of the nation’s top offensive lines. The defensive line is also a strength. Riley pulled in a top-ranked recruiting class and needs to win now. The Trojans host Ohio State, Oregon and Washington and play at Indiana, Penn State and Wisconsin.
15. ALABAMA
It was never going to be easy to follow Nick Saban, and Kalen DeBoer has made it look difficult. DeBoer is 20-8 in two seasons, which is OK at most programs but not in Tuscaloosa. Replacing first-round quarterback Ty Simpson will be either Keelon Russell or Austin Mack. There are all sorts of questions all over the offensive depth chart. There is plenty of talent on defense, but the Crimson Tide will enter the season as a boom-or-bust mystery team.
16. WASHINGTON
The Demond Williams saga in January threatened to derail Washington’s season before it started. Williams entered the transfer portal for a better deal, but the dual-threat quarterback jumped the gun and basically was forced to return to Seattle. Williams totaled 3,676 yards and 31 touchdowns. Third-year coach Jedd Fisch (9-4 last season) should carry playoff hopes into November, when the Huskies host Indiana and Penn State and finish at Oregon.
17. PENN STATE
Rocco Becht should feel at home in Happy Valley, and that’s because the senior quarterback will have more than 20 of his former Iowa State teammates with him. Matt Campbell took the Nittany Lions’ coaching and took a bunch of Cyclones, including leading rusher Carson Hansen, along for the ride. D’Anton Lynn, formerly at USC and UCLA, was a good hire as defensive coordinator. The schedule sets up well for Campbell to win at least eight games.
18. FLORIDA
Jon Sumrall arrives from Tulane as the new coach and should be a breath of fresh air in Gainesville after fans suffered through the ill-fated “Sun Belt” Billy Napier era. Whether the Gators finish in the top half of the SEC will depend on who wins the QB job (Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo or last year’s backup, Tramell Jones) and how well he plays. Leading rusher Jadan Baugh (1,170 yards) returns, and the defense should be solid.
19. LOUISVILLE
A year after losing the quarterback competition at Ohio State, Lincoln Kienholz will probably help the Cardinals win a lot of games in the ACC. Jeff Brohm, who coached Purdue to the Big Ten title game in 2022 and has a 28-12 record at Louisville, is an overachiever. Leading rusher Isaac Brown is back and an experienced offensive line looks outstanding. The Cardinals host SMU and Pitt and don’t play Miami and Clemson.
20. MICHIGAN
The hiring of Kyle Whittingham, who spent 21 years as Utah’s coach, was a home run even if he’s lost something off his fastball. He inherits a high-priced quarterback project in sophomore Bryce Underwood, who failed to develop under the previous staff. The backup QBs are promising if Underwood flops, and leading rusher Jordan Marshall returns. A big question mark shadows this Wolverines team, which Stone ranks 15th and I rank 28th.
21. IOWA
The Hawkeyes had Indiana on the ropes early last season and blew the game, 20-15, in Iowa City. Iowa also let one get away in an 18-16 loss to Oregon. Still, the Hawkeyes finished 9-4 with a bowl win as 28th-year coach Kirk Ferentz always seems to get to at least eight wins. He lost seven NFL draft picks and has to hope Hank Brown, last year’s backup quarterback, and running back Kamari Moulton can move the offense.
22. UTAH
Devon Dampier is a dynamic playmaker who passed for 24 touchdowns and rushed for 10 last season when the Utes went 11-2. Dampier and leading returning rusher Wayshawn Parker will help new coach Morgan Scalley keep up Utah’s high standards for winning. Scalley was the defensive coordinator for 10 years under Kyle Whittingham. The Utes do have some concerns on the offensive and defensive lines for the first time in a long time.
23. HOUSTON
It took only one year for coach Willie Fritz to turn around the Cougars, who went from 4-8 in his debut to 10-3 last season. Houston’s offense should be high-flying as veteran quarterback Conner Weigman (36 total touchdowns, including 25 through the air) comes back and is backed up by No. 1-ranked recruit Keisean Henderson. Top receiver Amare Thomas (12 TDs) returns. A defense full of veterans appears strong enough to survive in the Big 12.
24. CLEMSON
Change with the times or get left behind. Dabo Swinney is finally changing by hitting the transfer portal. He also changed offensive coordinators and brought back Chad Morris. Christopher Vizzina (and maybe freshman Tait Reynolds) replace longtime starting QB Cade Klubnik, who was drafted by the Jets. Senior end Will Heldt leads a defense that lost five NFL draft picks. Clemson hosts Miami on Oct. 3 and could contend for the ACC title.
25. SMU
Senior quarterback Kevin Jennings has playoff experience from two years ago, and although he slipped some and turned the ball over too often last season, hopes are high for the offense (32.2 ppg) with the addition of Cal transfer running back Kendrick Raphael. The defense is being rebuilt. Rhett Lashlee has been a bet-on coach in ACC play — the Mustangs upset Miami as 10-point underdogs last year — with a 38-16 record in four years in Dallas.
26. TENNESSEE
Volunteers coach Josh Heupel finds ways to create offense and he needs to develop highly-touted freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon in a hurry. It will help to have leading rusher DeSean Bishop (1,076 yards, 16 touchdowns) in the backfield again. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, formerly at Penn State and Ohio State, will make a difference.
27. MISSOURI
The Tigers started 5-0 last season and won eight regular-season games prior to a disappointing bowl performance. Ahmad Hardy (1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns) is the catalyst for the offense and arguably the best running back in the SEC. Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons is the new quarterback. One problem is a new-look defense that won’t be improved.
28. ARIZONA
With 72 touchdown passes as a three-year starter in Tucson, Noah Fifita is one of the Big 12’s best and he gives the Wildcats a shot in almost every game. Arizona (9-4) lost three games by six points or fewer last season. The Wildcats will get tough tests on the road in September (BYU), October (Texas Tech) and November (Kansas State).
29. VIRGINIA TECH
One team’s trash is another team’s treasure. Penn State fans are happy to get rid of coach James Franklin after 12 years and Virginia Tech fans are thrilled to have him. The Hokies (3-9) will be much improved due to Franklin’s ability to recruit talent. “Big Game” James gets a soft launch with the toughest road games (Clemson, SMU and Miami) late in the season.
30. SOUTH CAROLINA
Overhyped as a top NFL prospect a year ago, quarterback LaNorris Sellers slumped as a passer as the Gamecocks slipped from 9-4 to 4-8. Sellers totaled 25 touchdowns in 2024 and that number dipped to 18 last season. Are you buying or selling? Shane Beamer is coaching a more experienced team, but the schedule is brutal and there are concerns in Columbia.
31. MINNESOTA
P.J. Fleck is money in bowl games (7-0) as coach of the Golden Gophers, and he’s consistent with 8-5 records each of the past two years. He’s got a good shot to be a winner again with quarterback Drake Lindsey and leading rusher Darius Taylor returning. Senior end Anthony Smith is one of the Big Ten’s best defensive players.
32. KANSAS STATE
Bill Snyder, one of the all-time greats, and Chris Klieman, who retired in December, are extremely tough coaching acts to follow at K-State. Collin Klein, a former Wildcats quarterback and offensive coordinator, takes over the top job. Veteran quarterback Avery Johnson and leading rusher Joe Jackson return, but multiple holes must be filled on defense.
33. TCU
After Indiana swooped in to swipe quarterback Josh Hoover, the Horned Frogs looked to the Ivy League for an answer. Jaden Craig, a first team all-conference passer at Harvard, will run coach Sonny Dykes’ offense. Since getting crushed 65-7 by Georgia in the 2022 national championship game, TCU has posted records of 5-7, 9-4 and 9-4. Dykes destroyed Bill Belichick and North Carolina 48-14 in last season’s opener. The rematch is in Ireland.
34. VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers cashed in on close-game luck last season by going 3-0 in overtime games and winning another by two points, so don’t count on another 11-win season for coach Tony Elliott. Virginia has two new quarterbacks, Beau Pribula (Missouri) and Eli Holstein (Pitt). This team looks weaker, but a soft schedule excludes Miami, Clemson and Louisville.
35. AUBURN
New coach Alex Golesh, who won 23 games in three years at South Florida, has an offensive background and brought senior quarterback Byrum Brown with him. While leading rusher Jeremiah Cobb comes back, the entire receiving corps is new and includes two USF transfers. Junior linebacker Xavier Atkins (team-high 84 tackles, nine sacks) leads an inexperienced defense. The Tigers finished 1-7 in SEC play last year.
36. BOISE STATE
The Broncos (9-5 last season) won the last three Mountain West championships and are +170 favorites to win the eight-team Pac-12. If they don’t win the league, a defensive decline will likely be the reason. Boise could boast the conference’s top quarterback, Maddux Madsen, and top running back, Dylan Riley. Madsen must bounce back after regressing last season.
37. GEORGIA TECH
Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King led the Yellow Jackets to nine wins and put a scare into Georgia, but he’s gone and replaced by Alberto Mendoza. The brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza transferred from Indiana, and running back Justice Haynes transferred from Michigan. The defense looks strong. Brent Key has been a bet-on coach as an underdog (15-5 ATS).
38. NEBRASKA
UNLV transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea is the key to coach Matt Rhule’s success in his fourth season with the Cornhuskers. Colandrea totaled 4,080 yards (3,459 passing and 621 rushing) and 32 touchdowns for the Rebels. Nebraska (7-6 last season) faces Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana but should have enough talent to go bowling again.
39. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Junior quarterback CJ Bailey had offers if he hit the transfer portal, but the 6-6, 210-pounder stayed with the Wolfpack. Bailey passed for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding six rushing scores during an 8-5 season. Leading rusher Hollywood Smothers transferred to Texas, but No. 2 rusher Jayden “Duke” Scott is back. Miami is not on the ACC schedule.
40. VANDERBILT
Adjusting to life after quarterback Diego Pavia, a Heisman finalist, won’t be easy, but the Commodores won’t be bad. Jared Curtis, the No. 2-ranked incoming freshman QB, can lean on a pair of seniors — running back Sedrick Alexander and wideout Junior Sherrill. Vandy coach Clark Lea (10-3 last season) will field another solid defense.
41. ARIZONA STATE
Kenny Dillingham has done an amazing coaching job at Arizona State. He followed a 3-9 debut season with records of 11-3 and 8-5. His fourth season will probably fall somewhere in the middle as in 6-6. With quarterback Sam Leavitt transferring to LSU, the Sun Devils turn to Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley. The defense lost nine starters.
42. PITTSBURGH
As a freshman, Mason Heintschel passed for 16 touchdowns and showed some running ability in his nine starts. Don’t expect to see a “Heintschel for Heisman” campaign, but he’s got potential and is supported by a veteran offensive line. Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi, who’s no game-management genius, will put together a decent defense.
43. ILLINOIS
Senior quarterback Katin Houser, a transfer from East Carolina, replaces Luke Altmyer in coach Bret Bielema’s run-oriented offense. The top three running backs return, but the offensive line is mostly new and won’t be improved. It’s a rebuilding year for the Fighting Illini defense. Bielema’s team will take steps back after going 9-4 and 10-3 the past two seasons.
44. CALIFORNIA
Tosh Lupoi, the former Oregon defensive coordinator, takes over in Berkeley. The Golden Bears lost most of their best defensive players and will rely on their offense to lead the way. Sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele seems to be a rising star after passing for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns for a 7-6 team.
45. NORTHWESTERN
A 19-19 record does not reflect how well David Braun has coached up the Wildcats in his three years. Braun inherited a seemingly hopeless 1-11 team. Northwestern’s strength should be its defense, although the coaching staff is intriguing with Chip Kelly taking over as offensive coordinator. The new QB is likely to be Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles.
46. OKLAHOMA STATE
Mike Gundy is out after two decades, and new coach Eric Morris brings a big offensive reputation with him from North Texas. He’s also bringing quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who led the nation in passing yards (4,379) last year. The Cowboys (1-11 last season) could be the nation’s most improved team.
47. UCLA
The Bruins were bad last season at 3-9, but they did upset Penn State 42-37 as 24-point underdogs in Pasadena. Bob Chesney, who coached James Madison to the CFP, is rebuilding with several transfers and will energize the program. Will he be able to rejuvenate inconsistent young quarterback Nico Iamaleava?
48. WISCONSIN
There was a lot of excitement in Madison when Luke Fickell was hired as coach in 2023, but the thrill is long gone after back-to-back losing seasons. The Badgers’ quarterback play was abysmal a year ago, and that should change with the addition of dual-threat Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph. Wisconsin’s schedule ranks as the Big Ten’s easiest.
49. BAYLOR
After everything fell apart at Florida, young quarterback DJ Lagway transferred to Baylor. Lagway, once hyped as one of the nation’s top recruits, can be electric if he’s playing with confidence. He’s replacing Sawyer Robertson, who passed for 31 touchdowns last season. Bears coach Dave Aranda must improve the defense and win or he’s done in Waco.
50. NAVY
After an 11-2 season, with the losses to Notre Dame and North Texas, the Midshipmen must replace star quarterback Blake Horvath. Braxton Woodson, who’s 6-3 and 215 pounds, will have big shoes to fill. Navy has a physical offensive line and a solid defense, but the key to the season will be Woodson, who’s fast and skilled but has not played much.
