Remember last season when a 7-5 Duke squad snatched the ACC crown? That wasn’t just a fluke, folks, that was a warning shot for 2026. A dark horse always emerges in college football, and the fact that an average team like Duke could win a whole conference tells you everything: this year’s conference races are completely up for grabs. You better believe there are a couple of teams out there right now ready to make some serious noise.
James Franklin’s First Year at Virginia Tech Could Be Wild
The Virginia Tech Hokies are entering Year 1 under James Franklin, and there’s a real path for them to win the ACC title. This isn’t just wishful thinking either. Franklin brought in the No. 4 transfer class in the ACC, and the team is returning the fourth-most production in the conference, including a whopping 14 starters. Everyone knows about Franklin’s struggles in big games at Penn State, but in his first season at Virginia Tech, with a fresh start, that might not be as big of a concern. Their biggest tests are tough road games against Clemson in Week 8 and Miami in Week 12. If they can split those two matchups, they’ll be in prime position for the ACC Championship, especially since the rest of their schedule looks pretty light. Keep your eyes on Reynolds, the former No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2024. He followed Franklin from Penn State, where he posted 26 catches for 257 yards in his sophomore season. Franklin loves to feature his tight ends, and Reynolds, who was the No. 4 tight end in the transfer portal, is set to be his top option.
Matt Campbell Is About to Flip the Big Ten Upside Down at Penn State
After a disappointing season last year, Penn State went out and hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State, and this move screams “sleeper.” Campbell isn’t just bringing a new philosophy; he’s bringing a whole new team vibe, recruiting the No. 4 overall transfer class and the top class in the Big Ten. Plus, he brought 23 of his former players with him! Campbell’s record at Iowa State speaks for itself: 72-55 (.567), eight winning seasons, and the program’s first-ever double-digit winning season. But the real kicker for Penn State? Their schedule is incredibly favorable. They’ll face five of the Big Ten’s worst defenses from last year, including the bottom three. Joel Klatt even called Penn State one of the biggest winners of the Big Ten’s 2026 schedule draw. This lines up perfectly for Campbell and the Nittany Lions to make a serious run at the conference title game. Don’t sleep on Hansen, who was Iowa State’s leading rusher last year with 952 yards on 188 carries, and ended the 2025 season with five straight 100-yard ru… games. He’s coming to play.
So, will one of these teams shock the college football world this year, just like Indiana did by winning the Big Ten and national championship last season? With new coaches, loaded transfer classes, and favorable schedules, Virginia Tech and Penn State are absolutely ones to watch for a massive push towards their conference titles.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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