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Five college football teams face challenges ahead in 2026 season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 6:06 PM

Last updated Aug 7, 2026

Five college football teams face challenges ahead in 2026 season

Summary

Five college football teams are projected to face difficulties in the upcoming 2026 season, according to Yahoo Sports' analysis. Jacksonville State, Ole Miss, North Texas, Duke, and Vanderbilt are highlighted as teams with high expectations that may struggle to meet them. Jacksonville State begins with a challenging schedule, facing North Dakota State and Ohio, while Ole Miss will contend with tough opponents such as Texas and Oklahoma. North Texas is undergoing a rebuild after significant roster changes, and Duke's defense may not be enough following the departure of key players. Vanderbilt's offense also faces complications with a young quarterback in a competitive SEC environment.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Jacksonville State opens against North Dakota State and Ohio.
•Ole Miss faces Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, and Georgia among other challengers.
•North Texas rebuilds with 19 transfers on the roster.
•Duke loses quarterback Darian Mensah and faces a tough schedule.
•Vanderbilt's talent in the SEC struggles with lineup changes.

Latest Updates

6:06 PMYahoo Sports — 5 College Football Teams Headed For a Letdown in 2026

What they're saying

"
This isn't the fun part for fans coming off a great season. Not everyone can keep the party going.Every year there are surprise teams that come from out of nowhere and do something special, and others turn into last year's South Carolina and Syracuse - two of the teams in last year's version of ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

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