(BCSNN | UPI) -- It's almost time to pull out your favorite jersey, throw on that pair of old lucky socks, and start slapping on the face paint, because the 2026 college football season is fast approaching. As players and coaches start returning to camp and fall workouts begin to ramp up, we're going to see how some quarterback battles shake out, and a lot of eyes will be looking at recent coaching changes. Come on — you know you're curious to see what James Franklin is going to do in Blacksburg.

Across the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, each conference enters the season with a defining question. And with the Group of Five officially transitioning into the Group of Six, the hierarchy outside the power leagues is shifting too. The American is almost always the favorite, but a lot of pieces have moved around this offseason.

Let's take a look at what's changed and see if we can answer some of the biggest questions entering the 2026 college football season.

ACC: Is This Miami's League To Lose?
Miami finally delivered proof of concept last season, finishing 13–3 and reaching the national championship game. Despite key departures on both lines, the Hurricanes enter 2026 as the clear ACC favorite.

But last year wasn’t flawless. Miami dropped two games, and Duke beat Virginia in the ACC Championship Game — a result that likely enabled Miami’s controversial late jump over Notre Dame in the final CFP rankings.

The Hurricanes also stirred debate by pulling QB Darian Mensah and WR Cooper Barkate from the transfer portal late in the cycle. Paired with Malachi Toney, Miami’s offense should be elite.

On paper, The U looks loaded again - as usual. The schedule is more than manageable. Really, the only question is whether the rest of the ACC can spoil the party — or if Miami is truly back. Clemson will be the first real test in October.

Big 12: The Most Mysterious Power Conference?
Predicting the Big 12 has become an annual exercise in futility.

Two years ago, Utah was picked to win the league, followed by Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona. Those five teams combined for a 13–32 conference record.

Arizona State, projected last, won the title. Colorado and BYU surged from 11th and 13th to share the league’s best conference record.

Last season, BYU climbed from the middle of the pack to finish as runner‑up. Kansas State and Baylor fell far short of expectations.

This year, Texas Tech — despite the offseason drama surrounding Brendan Sorsby — is the early favorite, followed by BYU and Utah. The next tier includes Kansas State, Houston, Arizona and ASU.

History suggests someone will surprise. The question is who.

Big Ten: Can Anyone Else Step Up In The B1G?
The Big Ten’s top tier is obvious: Indiana, the reigning national champion, along with Ohio State and Oregon, both CFP regulars. That trio enters 2026 with minimal debate.

The problem last season was everything behind them. Offenses at Iowa, Michigan and Washington sputtered in big games, while USC’s defense struggled. None of the non‑Playoff teams had a compelling case for inclusion.

Meanwhile, the SEC placed five teams in the CFP, with Texas and Vanderbilt finishing above USC and Michigan in the final rankings.

The projected second tier — Michigan, Penn State, USC, Washington, and perhaps Iowa or Nebraska — has plenty to prove this fall.

"But you didn't even talk about Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Illinois, [...]" No. No I did not.

SEC: Which SEC Team Is The "Next Coming" This Season?
Georgia remains the league’s anchor. The Bulldogs haven’t lost three regular‑season games since 2016, Kirby Smart’s first year. Even if they stumble, they deserve immense benefit of the doubt.

After Georgia, the picture gets complicated.

Alabama, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Texas A&M all made the CFP last season. But Alabama will rely on a first‑year starter, and the other three face difficult SEC schedules with little margin for error.

Texas is loaded, especially if Arch Manning takes a leap. LSU made a splash by hiring Lane Kiffin and loading up on transfers. And someone out there has talked themselves into Florida, Missouri or Tennessee.

The SEC will place multiple teams in the CFP - we already know that. Guessing which ones is the challenge.

Group of Six: Is The American Still The "Big Dog" In The Little Park?
Throughout the CFP era, the American (formerly the AAC) has most often produced the top Group of Five team. With the shift to the Group of Six, the landscape is changing.

The American, with its history and stable of strong programs, remains the theoretical leader, but the Pac‑12’s raid of the Mountain West could elevate its profile immediately. James Madison boosted the Sun Belt’s reputation with a CFP trip in 2025.

Because CFP rankings are subjective (cause they sure ain't based on results like wins and losses), perception matters. Expect G6 leagues to campaign loudly after every marquee win — and expect the hierarchy to evolve quickly.