The 40-In-40 countdown continues as we take a look at the teams ranked No. 20 through No. 11 in The Next Round’s preseason poll.
No. 20 — Clemson
Last season, Clemson football was the hottest commodity during the preseason, picked to win the ACC outright and considered one of the biggest favorites to win the National Championship. The Tigers ended up going 7-6 and 4-4 in the ACC.
Clemson has since lost a ton of the talent from last season and will now have a brand-new quarterback for this season. If Clemson couldn’t get it done last year, there is no reason for me to believe it will be any different this season. Dabo Swinney’s days might be numbered.
No. 19 — Washington
I have very high hopes for the Washington Huskies this season. For starters, they have one of the best talents in the country under center in Demond Williams Jr.
While they did lose a lot of playmakers to the draft, they also just had their highest-rated recruiting class in program history. I expect to see this team compete in the Big Ten this season and maybe knock off some of the big dogs in that conference.
No. 18 — SMU
SMU has been beating around the bush the past few seasons under head coach Rhett Lashlee, who I think is incredible and could really find a lot of success if the talent is provided. But that’s the problem.
SMU just can’t compete in the world of recruiting and the transfer portal. Surrounded by teams like Texas and Texas A&M, it makes it almost impossible for them to acquire in-state talent.
They do have a fifth-year quarterback returning in Kevin Jennings who is very talented and has the ability to take this team a long way this season.
No. 17 — Penn State
Penn State is turning over a new leaf coming into the 2026 college football season. After recently firing James Franklin, a coach who brought tons of success but just couldn’t get over the hump and win the big game, the Nittany Lions have replaced him with head coach Matt Campbell.
Campbell has a fairly easy schedule for his first year leading the Nittany Lions. I do think, because of their schedule, that this team can easily squeeze into the playoffs. However, they may not be battle-tested enough and ultimately could end up the same way that all of James Franklin’s teams ended up.
No. 16 — Michigan
I have extremely high hopes for the Wolverines this season. After last season, when the coaching staff was in shambles, I think they come into 2026 with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.
This team also has a brand-new head coach in Kyle Whittingham, who thrives with a dual-threat quarterback. And if we’re talking raw talent, Bryce Underwood might be the best dual-threat quarterback in college football.
I see this new coaching hire being a match made in heaven for this offense, and Michigan definitely comes into this season as a dark horse and a team that can turn some heads.
No. 15 — BYU
The BYU Cougars are coming off a very impressive 2025 season, and all signs are pointing toward another good year for this program.
BYU has 11 starters returning this season, including quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who proved to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country last season. They also have what looks to be a stacked secondary.
Last season, BYU had a top-10 secondary in the country, and they are retaining every single one of those secondary starters.
No. 14 — USC
The way I see it, this is a make-or-break season for head coach Lincoln Riley. Unfortunately for Riley, there just isn’t any room for mediocrity at a place like USC, which has a rich history, a high standard and plenty of resources for success in today’s day and age.
Up to this point, Lincoln Riley has been nothing but mediocre.
Aside from that, USC has a pretty talented roster coming into this season, with the likes of quarterback Jaden Maiava, who can be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country this season.
No. 13 — Texas Tech
I don’t know that there has been a team more talked about this offseason than Texas Tech.
This is a program that has benefited significantly from NIL funds and is now on the verge of a major breakthrough for its football program, transitioning into a consistent contender in the college football landscape.
But, as most people may know, their transfer quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, has put this program in quite the hole.
That being said, I still think this is a team with good coaching and good talent, and I definitely would not write them off from making the College Football Playoff.
No. 12 — Oklahoma
I am very excited to see the Sooners play some football this season. The reason is because I think they will shock a ton of people by being one of the best teams in the country.
For starters, Oklahoma had one of, if not the best, defenses in the SEC last season and will most likely continue that trend into 2026.
And lastly, John Mateer is back and healthy, and he is coming back with a chip on his shoulder, ready to prove a lot of people wrong.
No. 11 — Ole Miss
Ole Miss is another team that I would say I am higher on than most people.
A lot of fans would like to think that just because Lane Kiffin is gone, Ole Miss will struggle. While Lane did a lot for the success at Ole Miss, let’s not forget that Pete Golding coached two incredible games against Miami and Georgia in the playoffs last season without Kiffin.
And surprisingly enough, the Rebels actually retained a good bit of talent, including Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.
Both of those guys have the ability to be the best in the country at their respective positions this season.
Teams 20-11 are now in the books. The countdown continues as we get closer to No. 1.
