Oklahoma State, a squad that stumbled through a brutal 1-11 record just last season, is somehow locked into a preseason Top 25 ranking for 2026. If that doesn’t scream “new modern age of college football,” I don’t know what does, and frankly, I’m here for it. This kind of wild turnaround is exactly the drama the offseason has delivered, proving that old ideas about rebuilding are out the window.
The Cowboys’ Massive Offseason Bet
This isn’t your grandma’s Oklahoma State. The turnover in Stillwater is absolutely insane, with a staggering 55 transfers rolling in, 17 of them fresh from North Texas. Why North Texas? Because their old coach, Eric Morris, is now the Cowboys’ head honcho. Last year, Morris led North Texas to the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, and you know why? He’s a quarterback whisperer, having worked with guys like Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, and Cam Ward. And guess who followed him to Oklahoma State? Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, the guy Morris got the best out of last year. You combine that offensive firepower with a completely revamped roster, and suddenly that 1-11 record feels like ancient history. This team is built different, literally.
Quarterback Battles and Brutal Road Trips
Across the country, other teams are facing their own battles. Arizona, with Brent Brennan heading into his third year, has first-team All-Big 12 quarterback Noah Fafita returning for his fourth season as a starter. That’s a huge boost of experience, but here’s the catch: the Wildcats have to replace three All-Big 12 players in their secondary. Plus, their conference schedule is no joke, with tough road games at BYU, Texas Tech, and Kansas State. Talk about an uphill climb!
Down in Tennessee, Josh Heupel has brought in four straight top-15 recruiting classes, so the roster is undeniably good and his offenses can produce. The big question, though, is at quarterback. Whoever steps in for the Vols will have zero career starts in college football, with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon battling it out. It’s a high-stakes competition because in that deep choice system, the QB has to make quick post-snap decisions. Luckily, they’ve got talent at running back and wide receiver with All-SEC DeSean Bishop and Braylon Staley. Their schedule helps a bit too, as three of their four toughest games are at home, hosting Texas, Alabama, and LSU. Historically, they win big games in Knoxville, so don’t be surprised if Tennessee makes some serious noise in the SEC.
Iowa’s Unshakable Identity
Then there’s Iowa. Honestly, it doesn’t even matter what players the Hawkeyes bring back, or if they even have a clear-cut quarterback. Why? Because head coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Sean Parker are still there. This isn’t a program that hinges on an elite QB. They’re going to keep doing what they always do: play fundamentally sound football, be physical, stop the run, and run the ball well. It’s their identity, unwavering and brutal. They do have some replacements to make, but you know what you’re getting from Iowa, year in and year out.
With the 2026 college football season about to kick off, the uncertainty is still there, but so is the absolute thrill of seeing how these storylines unfold. Will Oklahoma State prove that a total overhaul works? Can Tennessee’s young QBs step up? It’s going to be wild.
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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