The college football season is now just four weeks away from its Week Zero kickoff. Programs will begin their quests for the College Football Playoff, and fan bases across the country will have renewed hope before their teams take the field.
Several programs and their fan bases are hoping for a much better 2026, especially after disappointing 2025 campaigns. Many schools have also hired new head coaches, hoping they can lead their programs back to national relevance.
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The 2026 season will bring renewed optimism and excitement for fans nationwide. Not every team will rebound into a College Football Playoff contender, but meaningful progress is often enough to energize a fan base. Here are three schools that should bounce back in 2026 after dreadful 2025 seasons.
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up in the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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Deion Sanders entered his first season as Colorado’s head coach without Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. He did, however, have one of the nation’s top recruits waiting in the wings. Julian Lewis is one of the most promising quarterback prospects in college football and is now set to become the undisputed starter in 2026.
What changed? Colorado hired Brennan Marion as its new offensive coordinator. Marion has built a strong reputation for producing explosive college football offenses. He most recently served as Sacramento State’s head coach before accepting the position in Boulder.
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While the Buffaloes probably aren’t headed to the College Football Playoff, projecting eight or more wins is reasonable. Lewis and Marion should be able to maximize the offense’s potential.
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Florida Gators — 2025 Record: 4-8
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Jon Sumrall takes over one of college football’s most storied programs and could be the right coach for the job. His track record of rebuilding programs is undeniable. He led Troy to a bowl victory in his first season with the Trojans and guided Tulane to a College Football Playoff berth in his second season with the Green Wave.
There is plenty of reason for optimism with Sumrall leading the program. Florida probably won’t contend for an SEC championship in 2026, but that isn’t necessarily the expectation.
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If there’s one fan base eager to see a step in the right direction, it’s Gator Nation. Can Sumrall do the unthinkable in Year 1 and push Florida into College Football Playoff contention?
Virginia Tech Hokies — 2025 Record: 3-9
Nov 19, 2025; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks during the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images
James Franklin is undeniably a good head coach. His shortcomings, however, were on display at Penn State. He consistently built strong defenses and recruited at a high level, but his teams often struggled in the biggest games.
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Franklin now has a new opportunity to turn Virginia Tech into a winning program. The Hokies haven’t posted consecutive winning regular seasons since 2016 and 2017.
Virginia Tech also hasn’t won an ACC championship since 2010. Can Franklin lead the Hokies back to the conference title game?
