‘Fear Arch Manning’ 👀 USC a CFP sleeper, can Indiana repeat as National Champions, Notre Dame | FTF

FOX Sports CFB analyst RJ Young joins First Things First to share insights from his 138 college football rankings. He discusses Indiana’s chances of securing back-to-back National Championships and examines the barriers preventing Notre Dame from achieving similar success. Young also outlines the Big Ten’s recent rule changes regarding players returning from the NFL and insists that Arch Manning will rise to the occasion. Additionally, he predicts that the 2026 season will be remarkably competitive, highlighting a dark horse for the National Championship.

We’ve finally reached the end of an extensive college football offseason, and after months filled with legal entanglements and playoff threats—seriously, it’s been quite the ride—I’m sure I echo everyone’s sentiments when I say “let’s get the games started.”

But, before we actually kick off the season, it feels right to make some predictions. I thought, why not dive right in and forecast the winners of the Power 4 conferences for 2026?

After weighing factors like returning talent, coaching staff, strength of schedule, and overall team capabilities, I think I’ve settled on my picks.

If your team isn’t represented here, it’s all good; last year I backed Texas for the national title and had Penn State making a deep run, and, well, that didn’t quite pan out. So, don’t lose hope!

Now, with all that said, let’s get down to business!

ACC – Miami Hurricanes

I mean, at first glance, this choice may come across as too easy.

The Miami Hurricanes boast considerable talent across their roster, and they were ridiculously close to clinching the championship back in January—just one interception from Carson Beck stood in their way.

Yet, picking the Canes also means defying a major trend. They haven’t won a conference title since joining in 2004, which is, well, a bit daunting.

But this year could very well be their moment. Miami is loaded with returning offensive talent, particularly with transfer quarterback Darrian Mensah, who might be among the best to play for The U since Mario Cristobal took the helm in 2022.

Plus, familiar names like running back Mark Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney will certainly aid offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. But it’s not all sunshine; significant production must be replaced on both lines of scrimmage, and while the Canes have been active in recruiting, we still need to see how they perform on the field.

With that being said, their schedule is favorable, and I honestly don’t see another team in the conference able to match Miami’s potential. So, I’m going with the Canes to take the ACC title in 2026.

Big 12 – Texas Tech Red Raiders

This choice seemed like a no-brainer back in January, at least until the Brendan Sorsby situation unfolded. Still, I think Texas Tech remains the front-runner for the Big 12 championship.

The Red Raiders might have a temporary substitute for Sorsby in Thomas Castellanos from FSU, but let’s face it, that’s quite a dip in performance.

But my pick isn’t based solely on the quarterback position. I genuinely believe Texas Tech holds the most talent throughout the conference.

This offseason, they brought in a top-ten transfer class and have the highest returning production of any Big 12 team. This gives me confidence they can fend off any challengers eyeing the crown.

Not to mention, they won’t have to face BYU in regular season, and they’ll be playing against Houston and both Arizona teams at home.

That favorable schedule could be a double-edged sword, actually; it means they might not face tough competition often enough leading up to the postseason.

Nevertheless, that early match against Houston will be crucial, as winning would help solidify Texas Tech’s path to the Big 12 title game against a potentially tough opponent.

I’m sticking with Texas Tech, regardless of how their quarterback situation shapes up.

Big Ten – Ohio State Buckeyes

Surprisingly, Ohio State hasn’t claimed a Big Ten title since the COVID-impacted year in 2020.

That season was only seven games long, so clearly, it’s not certain that they should be assumed frontrunners this year.

In fact, picking a champion from the Big Ten proved to be quite challenging. It seemed like a three-way contest among Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State.

That said, I leaned towards the Buckeyes thanks to their immense talent on both offense and defense.

They’re bringing back quarterback Julian Sayin, plus they likely have the best overall player in college football—junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Despite losing some defensive prowess, they made strong additions through the transfer portal and secured a top-five recruiting class.

The Buckeyes will always have talent; the real test will be whether they can reload effectively. Having Matt Patricia return as defensive coordinator will definitely bolster their chances.

In a tight competition, I’m backing the Buckeyes to ultimately prevail in the Big Ten.

SEC – Georgia Bulldogs

I really considered taking a risk and picking Texas to win the SEC.

It was a close call, but the Georgia Bulldogs have reached a level where I have almost unfaltering trust in them. Until I see them actually lose the SEC crown, I can’t go against them.

Yes, Texas might boast the most talent in the league, and programs like Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and LSU are lurking closely, but I’m going to stick with Kirby Smart’s crew.

This Bulldogs squad isn’t lacking talent, either. They’re in the top tier nationally for returning production and have a seasoned quarterback in Gunner Stockton.

The defense is set to be ferocious, showcasing preseason All-Americans in the secondary like Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden.

The schedule? Well, it’s no walk in the park—then again, most SEC slates aren’t. I’d be surprised if Georgia came through without any bumps; however, in a league that has seen teams beat each other up in recent years, I expect the Bulldogs to endure the least damage.