"The game in Columbus last year began with Lee Corso's farewell to "College GameDay" and ended with all-new levels of hot-take hysteria around Manning, despite just a seven-point loss on the road to the defending national champions. Manning certainly didn't play well in that one, but he rounded into form as the season went on, and the Horns are excited to get a rematch at home with new players added around their QB. Don't forget Will Muschamp is back in Austin taking over the defense."
"The Bayou Bengals have loaded up on talent in both the portal and the recruiting trail, and Kiffin has injected an air of optimism that exceeds even what came with Brian Kelly's arrival four years ago. For Clemson, the opposite is true. Dabo Swinney is coming off his worst season since 2010, with a question mark at QB and a host of NFL talent now off to the NFL."
The 2025 college football season ended with an undefeated Indiana winning the national title after a dramatic College Football Playoff. Several power programs including LSU, Penn State, Florida and Michigan made head-coaching changes during a turbulent carousel. Reporters previewed the 2026 season, highlighting marquee early games and key storylines. Ohio State at Texas promises a heated rematch after a close contest in Columbus and with new defensive leadership under Will Muschamp in Austin. Clemson at LSU in Week 1 juxtaposes LSU's optimism under Lane Kiffin and heavy portal recruiting against Clemson's roster turnover, quarterback uncertainty and recent decline.
Read at ESPN.com
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