College Football Thread - 2026

[Willmark]

It’s that time of year for us to dog fight about who’s college team is better.

Best way to start it out IMO is with the preseason coaches poll that just dropped:

Preseason Coaches Poll
1.Ohio State
2.Oregon
3.Georgia
4.Texas
5.Notre Dame
6.Indiana
7.Miami
8.Texas A&M
9.Oklahoma
10.Ole Miss
11.Alabama
12.Texas Tech
13.LSU
14.USC
15.BYU
16.Michigan
17.Penn State
18.Tennessee
19.Washington
20.SMU
21.Utah
22.Iowa
23.Clemson
24.Houston
25.Missouri

We all know who are backing after that last few years but the 2026 season is almost upon us.

For my own part, this year is special I’m attending my first home game ever at ND on 9/12.

[352Raider]

We should draft Jeremiah Smith.

[ALLRAIDERWORLD21]

ND did what they were supposed to. 2nd half was all subs. In all a great experience. Now it’s onto Cody; first Raiders game I’ll catch is Week 3.

Problem with ND is they have a weak schedule and it should cost them a home playoff game.

[pfish57]

Ohio State looks Impressive!

[rcraider]

Ohio State looks Impressive!

Not so much in the 2nd half

[Dr Death]

Wow... what a way to lose. Oh well, congrats to the Horns.

[rcraider]

Wow... what a way to lose. Oh well, congrats to the Horns.

Ohio State got outcoached in the 2nd half

[Reno Hightower]

Ohio State looks Impressive!

For three quarters.

[riseNraid09]

Roll f[raiders_icon]cking Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!

after the first half, I thought my Wildcats might have a chance... then Bama defense really turned it up a notch in the second. lol.

[Willmark]

Problem with ND is they have a weak schedule and it should cost them a home playoff game.

The complaint department for the Hurricanes is down the street.

[raidersince63]

I know the first 2 opponents were not ranked but the Dogs have looked incredible in all facets of the game. Their defense returned nearly 75% of last year's starters and their offense looks as good as I've ever seen it.

Gunner Stockton first 2 games; 28/32, 8 TDs, QBR 284.5

***********************

And don't look now, but Indiana is also looking strong again.

[Dr Death]

Ohio State got outcoached in the 2nd half

Yea, even so..... the dropped balls by Smith contributed... and the missed FG was the nail in the coffin. That's football...lol. Regroup and come back next week.

[vtraider]

Yea, even so..... the dropped balls by Smith contributed... and the missed FG was the nail in the coffin. That's football...lol. Regroup and come back next week.

Let's not talk about drops. My gamecocks couldn't catch a cold last night. I lost count after a dozen drops. Didn't matter who the receiver or tight end was. Or who threw the ball. Ended up with less than 100 receiving yards. But we ran all over them for over 400 yards rushing

[Atlasffa]

Interesting (free) article. College FB is not "college" anymore. It's turned into a semi-pro league with education the least of anyone's worries. Sad. I miss college football.

[FlyBono24]

Interesting (free) article. College FB is not "college" anymore. It's turned into a semi-pro league with education the least of anyone's worries. Sad. I miss college football.

Baseball is crazy too. I have a family member who is a pitcher in college right now at a local school. He was slated to be a late round pick in the MLB draft but didn't get drafted, and a large SEC school offered him $350k to pitch just 1 season there, so he made the move down south. He gets more money than any Minor Leaguer and will probably get drafted next year, with a shit-ton of money in the bank to start off his pro career.

[Atlasffa]

Baseball is crazy too. I have a family member who is a pitcher in college right now at a local school. He was slated to be a late round pick in the MLB draft but didn't get drafted, and a large SEC school offered him $350k to pitch just 1 season there, so he made the move down south. He gets more money than any Minor Leaguer and will probably get drafted next year, with a shit-ton of money in the bank to start off his pro career.

Good on him for being able to cash in on the crazy system in play now. It was far too restrictive prior to NIL, but they've completely swung the pendulum to something that makes no sense at all. Colleges should not have to carry the burden of serving as the nation's semi-pro sports system. It's difficult to watch, knowing the players are all about the money and not at all about the school spirit. Sigh.