Description

Opening & National Championship Odds (FanDuel Sponsored)

• Texas listed at +700 to win the 2026 national title (tied with Ohio State & Indiana).
• Notre Dame favored at +650.
• Hosts note it's early and hard to project, but Texas, Notre Dame, and Oregon feel like "all-in" teams for 2026.
• Oregon viewed as just behind the top group.

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Indiana
4. Oregon
5. Texas
6. Notre Dame
7. Alabama
8. Miami
9. Texas A&M
10. Michigan

• Ohio State & Georgia clearly 1–2 (widely agreed).
• Indiana at #3 surprising but justified post-national title under Curt Cignetti (essentially a 2-year sample now).
• Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame seen as very close (hosts split hairs; one prefers Texas > Oregon due to better big-game performances and head-to-head context vs. Ohio State).
• Alabama at #7 feels high under Kalen DeBoer (one playoff win vs. weak Oklahoma; blown out by Indiana); hosts would swap Miami & Alabama (better roster construction under Cristobal).
• Texas at #5 viewed as fair/solid (could argue top 4); late spots (8–10) are murkier.
• Texas Tech highlighted as underrated (spends massively, in talent-rich state → should be top 8–10).

• KJ Lacey (most experience in system, most backup reps behind Arch).
• MJ Morris (experienced transfer, more athletic/run-oriented; added as safety net to avoid huge drop-off).
• D'Abel (talented but recovering from prior injuries; likely redshirt/developmental year).

• Tommy: KJ Lacey starts season as #2 (most comfortable); could rotate later (possibly D'Abel by end of year).
• Matthew: Leans MJ Morris early/Week 1 (values experience when "live bullets" are flying); KJ Lacey or D'Abel more likely long-term.
• New redshirt rule (play up to 9 games without burning it) increases flexibility.
• Spring game will be key tryout (Arch likely sits out).
• MJ Morris also valuable in practice as scout-team mobile QB lookalike.

1. John Mateer (Oklahoma) — Big arm/athletic, but inconsistent mechanics & decision-making.

3. Sam Leavitt (LSU) — Frantic/electric playmaker, strong arm, negates rush; health concerns.

4. Julian Sayin (Ohio State) — Extremely accurate/quick release; crumbles under pressure (biggest flaw).

1. Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) — Elite all-around (pocket + off-schedule), calm/confident; toughest matchup.

• Hollywood Smothers → Likely leads in carries (more reliable between tackles, better pass pro).
• Relique Brown → Explosive/home-run threat (more big plays, better receiver out of backfield).

• Likely Derek Cooper (power back, physical between tackles).
• James Simon (more comfortable in outside zone; could rise if injury forces bigger role).
• Jet Walker, Michael Terry (limited early impact expected).

1. Can the tough schedule (Ohio State, at Tennessee, at LSU, at Ole Miss, at A&M, Red River) kill them? (Many road/night games; could easily drop 2–3 close ones.)
2. Can Sark find the "middle ground"? (Rotations vs. playing stars; aggressive play-calling vs. knowing when to take points/lean on run.)
3. Can Arch Manning be kept mostly out of the designed run game? (Must rely on RBs more consistently.)

1. Penalties — Texas ranked very poorly last year; championship teams live in top 20–30; must improve dramatically.
2. Red zone efficiency — Improved last year (60s range); cannot regress to prior Sark years (worse than Iowa at times).
3. 12-personnel effectiveness — Sark loves it (~50–60%); must run better out of it or adjust to 11 personnel more quickly.

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