{"id":1041498,"date":"2026-09-03T20:56:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T20:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1041498\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T20:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T20:56:25","slug":"college-football-hope-o-meter-2026-which-fans-believe-who-has-already-quit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1041498\/","title":{"rendered":"College football Hope-O-Meter 2026: Which fans believe? Who has already quit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of Colorado vs. Georgia Tech.<\/a><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s something we\u2019ve learned from the annual Hope-O-Meter survey, it\u2019s that college football fans are reasonable, emotionally stable people who never overreact.<\/p>\n

Just kidding.<\/p>\n

But one thing is certain: Indiana fans are feeling good about their team<\/a>. And why wouldn\u2019t they be? The Hoosiers won the 2025 national championship, and all 381 of the IU fans who responded to our survey are optimistic entering the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

On the other end of the spectrum are the faithful from Chapel Hill \u2014 but that was before North Carolina\u2019s surprising win over TCU<\/a> in Dublin last week. How many of the 95.6 percent of UNC fans who said they were pessimistic about the season have changed their mind?<\/p>\n

The 2026 Hope-O-Meter received 8,933 responses covering 125 programs. Close to 80 percent classified themselves as optimistic. The other 1,885 have watched this sport before.<\/p>\n

Biggest topics<\/p>\n

Coaching changes, quarterback play, NIL and the transfer portal dominated the responses. No surprises there.<\/p>\n

What felt different this year was how many fans expressed optimism about their teams and existential dread about the sport at the same time.<\/p>\n

That was especially common among Group of 6 fans, who are tired of watching their best players and coaches getting poached by wealthier programs. Winning is still fun. It\u2019s just harder to sustain those winning ways when success triggers an offseason going-away sale.<\/p>\n

Northern Illinois fan Jay remembered when upsetting Notre Dame or reaching the Orange Bowl felt like an attainable dream.<\/p>\n

\u201cNIL is great for some teams,\u201d he wrote, \u201cbut not a team like NIU.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three storylines to watch: Indiana, Arch and Kiffin<\/p>\n

Stewart Mandel<\/p>\n

Where is confidence brimming?<\/p>\n

Indiana and SMU were the only power-conference programs without a single pessimistic fan.<\/p>\n

SMU fans cited the return of quarterback Kevin Jennings, Rhett Lashlee\u2019s coaching<\/a>, an improved roster and the financial backing necessary to survive modern college football.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoney buys wins,\u201d SMU fan Ben wrote.<\/p>\n

National runner-up Miami ranked third in preseason positivity, followed by Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, BYU, Oregon, Louisville, Ole Miss, Texas and Ohio State.<\/p>\n

Miami fans have declared The U back so many times that \u201cback\u201d should probably come with an expiration date. This time, however, nearly all Miami respondents believe it: 159 of 161 (99 percent) were optimistic, up from 93 percent last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe talent is there. The money is there. The quarterback is there,\u201d Canes fan Steve wrote. \u201cIf Miami can\u2019t win now, I don\u2019t know when it will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fighting Irish fans see a deep, expensive and championship-caliber roster with a favorable path. They also understand that such advantages eliminate nearly every acceptable excuse.<\/p>\n

\u201cA great setup to run the table, but an absolute disaster if we lose even a single game,\u201d Taylor wrote. \u201cNatty or bust.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas fans believe the Longhorns have assembled a championship roster around Arch Manning. The talent is so overwhelming that it has somehow become another source of stress.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year feels a bit scary,\u201d Texas fan Rell Rice wrote. \u201cI worry that they may be too talented.\u201d<\/p>\n

Louisville respondents are betting on coach Jeff Brohm, arguably the country\u2019s best backfield and a manageable ACC schedule. BYU\u2019s hope centers on quarterback Bear Bachmeier, running back LJ Martin and a veteran roster. Oregon and Ohio State fans expect their programs to reload because rebuilding is something other schools do.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as the Buckeyes beat that damnable, felonious, crooked team from up north, there will be joy in my heart,\u201d Andy Sims wrote.<\/p>\n

Is that really true, Andy?<\/p>\n

Biggest risers<\/p>\n

Nothing produces optimism quite like a new coach who hasn\u2019t lost a game yet.<\/p>\n

Kentucky experienced the largest increase among Power 4 programs. Optimism jumped 75 percentage points after Will Stein replaced Mark Stoops. It immediately made Kentucky fans dream of an offense from this century.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is STEIN TIME IN THE BLUEGRASS!\u201d Kentucky fan Hamby wrote.<\/p>\n

The Wildcats\u2019 schedule is brutal, and Stein, Oregon\u2019s former offensive coordinator, has never been a head coach. But those are Week 2 problems. Nobody has thrown a screen pass on third-and-12 yet.<\/p>\n

Confidence in Virginia Tech rose 72 percentage points after the hire of James Franklin<\/a>. \u201cEight months later, and I still cannot believe that James Franklin is our head coach,\u201d Hokies fan Tim wrote.<\/p>\n

LSU fans are excited about Lane Kiffin\u2019s offense, NIL resources, the transfer haul and a talented defense. They\u2019re also relieved to be finished with Brian Kelly. \u201cSaying Brian Kelly was mailing it in is an insult to the United States Postal Service,\u201d LSU fan Luke wrote.<\/p>\n

Hope grew from 43 percent to 95 percent for Oklahoma State fans after Mike Gundy was replaced by Eric Morris. The Cowboys are coming off a 1-11 season, so almost anything qualifies as progress. A functioning offense might cause a parade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe program overhaul creates a vacuum of knowledge where hope can live until reality hits,\u201d Cowboys fan Aaron wrote.<\/p>\n

New coach hires weren\u2019t the only reason for increased optimism. Improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 and in some cases Year 3 to Year 4 led to substantial gains.<\/p>\n

Hope climbed 61 points to 92 percent at Arizona with first-team All-Big 12 quarterback Noah Fifita returning for his final season after a five-win improvement in coach Brent Brennan\u2019s second year.<\/p>\n

Virginia\u2019s 11-win season and ACC Championship Game appearance produced a big jump for Cavaliers faithful. Fans cited experienced lines, productive portal work, a manageable schedule and growing belief in Tony Elliott\u2019s program.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we going to take down a thermonuclear death star like Ohio State \u2014 or Indiana? No,\u201d Cavs fan Luke wrote. \u201cBut those teams don\u2019t exist in the ACC.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biggest fallers<\/p>\n

Baylor experienced the largest collapse in confidence.<\/p>\n

Optimism among Bears fans dropped from 93 percent last year to 23 percent heading into 2026 \u2014 and that’s after landing a former five-star quarterback (DJ Lagway) in the transfer portal. Respondents questioned Dave Aranda\u2019s roster construction, the program\u2019s lack of identity and why everybody is pretending this isn\u2019t a lame-duck season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need this season to be over and pray to the football gods we get a better head coach,\u201d Baylor fan Brad G. wrote. \u201cThe question is, how long will Aranda last into the season before he\u2019s canned?\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrick believes the Bears are \u201cbear-ly bowl eligible at best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hope for Boston College fans dropped 60 percentage points to 16 percent after Bill O\u2019Brien\u2019s second season. The Eagles lost significant personnel from a two-win team and are betting on an unproven quarterback situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re bringing a butter knife to a gunfight,\u201d BC fan Chris wrote.<\/p>\n

Don C. offered this scouting report: \u201cOur QB is a starter from Saginaw Valley State \u2014 they had a team?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hope for Kansas fans fell 58 percentage points to 35 percent after back-to-back 5-7 seasons under Lance Leipold.<\/p>\n

Clemson fans\u2019 hope dropped 58 points to 40 percent following a 7-6 season and a nine-player NFL Draft exodus. Some Tiger supporters\u00a0worry Dabo Swinney is still trying to win in a version of college football that no longer exists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe program and culture coming from Dabo seems to be competing in an NCAA that\u2019s no longer around,\u201d Clemson fan Sean wrote.<\/p>\n

North Carolina\u2019s Hope-O-Meter plunged 56 percentage points. Other significant drops: Nebraska (53 percentage points), Iowa State (52), Duke (50) and Colorado (49).<\/p>\n

Duke\u2019s decline has a simple explanation: Miami swiped quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Cooper Barkate in the portal after both had told the staff they planned to return to Durham.<\/p>\n

\u201cPros: Lots of returning guys, particularly on defense,\u201d optimistic Duke fan Ed wrote. \u201cCons: I hear QB1 is an important role. Screw you, Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where hope goes to die<\/p>\n

North Carolina\u2019s fans were the least optimistic among Power 4 programs at 4.4 percent \u2014 but, again, that was before the win over TCU last Saturday.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati was next at 13 percent, followed by Boston College at 16 percent. Next lowest: Florida State (20), Arkansas (20), Purdue (21), Stanford (21) and Baylor (23).<\/p>\n

Cincinnati respondents repeatedly pointed to Scott Satterfield, consecutive November collapses and the program\u2019s inability to keep pace financially.<\/p>\n

Derek noted that Cincinnati does not appear to have \u201cany alums who are oil tycoons<\/a> or Crumbl Cookie owners<\/a> who can buy us everything we want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Purdue\u2019s situation feels even worse because its in-state rival just won the national championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we should just disband,\u201d Purdue fan Larry wrote.<\/p>\n

Another Purdue fan, DW, found one enduring source of pride: \u201cSame coaches. Same lack of success. Same cool train, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arkansas fans are preparing for a difficult rebuild under Ryan Silverfield<\/a>. Grayson wrote it is \u201cdisheartening how much dreaming it takes to imagine a 5-7 season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mason wrote there was more excitement for Arkansas basketball\u2019s summer scrimmage against the Bahamas national team than for the Razorbacks\u2019 football opener.<\/p>\n

\u201cFootball is dead in Fayetteville,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

Stanford fan Ryan went darker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would rather be a Jets fan,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

The Group of 6 divide<\/p>\n

The survey collected more than 500 responses from fans of 57 Group of 6 programs. Of those respondents, 74 percent classified themselves as optimistic.<\/p>\n

That sounds encouraging until you read the explanations.<\/p>\n

Many G6 fans believe their teams can succeed this season. They\u2019re less convinced that success matters in a system designed to funnel talent and money toward P4 schools.<\/p>\n

Louisiana fan David is optimistic about the Ragin\u2019 Cajuns but pessimistic about whether programs like his will have a place if the richest brands eventually break away.<\/p>\n

After a MAC championship, Western Michigan fans are hoping for another big season before larger programs go shopping in Kalamazoo. Broncos fans feel like they got lucky this winter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like the power teams just forgot to poach our best players,\u201d Alex wrote. \u201cSuch is life as a college football minnow.\u201d<\/p>\n

James Madison reached the CFP last season, lost another coach and rebuilt again. Still, 41 of 44 Dukes respondents are optimistic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe crashed the party last year,\u201d JMU fan A-Ron wrote. \u201cFor the rest of our days, our little school is going to be able to say that we did the thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Mexico fans believe Jason Eck has positioned the Lobos for a Mountain West championship.<\/p>\n

North Dakota State\u2019s move to the FBS<\/a> has created excitement about new opponents, rivalries and possibilities.<\/p>\n

Temple checked in at 83 percent optimistic, and Owls fan Ben found hope in the program\u2019s personal injury law firm jersey sponsor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like Temple looked in the mirror and said, \u2018We\u2019re going to get hurt. Literally and metaphorically. But we\u2019re going to have representation,\u2019\u201d he wrote. \u201cThat\u2019s not pessimism. That\u2019s infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among G6 programs with at least five responses, Wyoming had the lowest level of optimism at 14 percent. UAB was next at 20 percent.<\/p>\n

\u201cNIL may as well stand for Not In Laramie,\u201d Wyoming fan Andrew wrote.<\/p>\n

Over half (56 percent) of the UMass fans are optimistic after a winless 2025 season. Ryan is not part of that group.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anyone told me they were optimistic about UMass football<\/a>,\u201d he wrote, \u201cI would assume they had recently been kicked in the head by a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hope is powerful<\/p>\n

Other highlights from the Hope-O-Meter …<\/p>\n

(Comments lightly edited for length and clarity.)<\/p>\n

\u2022 John P., pessimistic Alabama fan: \u201cI\u2019m not a deranged Bammer who demands we win every game or every title, but they need to avoid catastrophic, totalizing, pathetic losses like Oklahoma in 2024 and Florida State in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Will, optimistic Arizona fan: \u201cAs long as we have Noah (Fifita), we have a shot at the Big 12.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kelly Barker, pessimistic Arizona State fan: \u201cWe keep losing our best QBs to transfers and, for reasons I don\u2019t understand, are unable or unwilling to spend on NIL like other schools its size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dee, optimistic Auburn fan: \u201cFinally got rid of \u2018He who shall not be named.\u2019 His hiring was the most embarrassing thing my school has ever done \u2014 and we had boosters on a plane to try to steal Bobby Petrino!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Will, pessimistic Auburn fan: \u201cBryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze have stolen my football joy, and I won\u2019t let Alex Golesh do the same in a loaded SEC with a Group of 5 roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hunter, optimistic Boise State fan: \u201cWe\u2019re gonna get smoked by Oregon in Week 1, but if we can, by a miracle, keep it close, a playoff appearance could be back in the cards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sam Garrard, optimistic BYU fan: \u201cKalani Sitake\u2019s program culture prioritizes character-building and investment in his players over winning and showing off. Leadership and program culture matter! See Indiana.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Goldenbear, optimistic Cal fan: \u201cWith the arrival of Tosh Lupoi, there is renewed enthusiasm not just in football but in all athletics in Berkeley. Eighty-eight million dollars in donations this year is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mike B, pessimistic Colorado fan: \u201cShedeur (Sanders) and Travis (Hunter) revived the Buffaloes. Unless a judge rules they are eligible to come back, another dreadful season awaits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Anonymous, optimistic Colorado State fan: \u201cThe job continues to attract real coaches who have done well in other places. Jim Mora now heads to Fort Collins! Good luck!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nathan, optimistic Delaware fan: \u201cPlayed in and won our first bowl game this past season. Relevance, here we come!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 TK, optimistic East Carolina fan: \u201cI\u2019m not sure what to think. Get past Alabama without being embarrassed, win nine games and earn a mid-tier bowl game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stu, optimistic Florida fan: \u201cJon Sumrall seems to be the anti-Billy Napier, so that alone brings hope the program will return to glory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 George W., pessimistic Florida State fan: \u201cThe current coach is still the current coach not because of recent success or consistency, but because the athletic department and boosters don\u2019t have enough funds to buy out his contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ryan H., pessimistic Georgia fan: \u201cIt feels strange to complain after two straight SEC championships, but first-round exits in back-to-back Playoff games will do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Patrick, optimistic Georgia Tech fan: \u201cBest running back room in the ACC and top 10 nationally, at worst. Transfer QB with championship lineage who knows what it looks like to win a title. Best defensive line at Tech in about 20 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ash, optimistic Hawaii fan: \u201cAs long as (Micah) Alejado stays healthy, we have a shot to match or beat last year\u2019s 9-4 record and compete for the Mountain West title.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tim, optimistic Houston fan: \u201cAs fired up for football as I have been since 2016. Go Coogs!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Willie Fritz has the Houston faithful believing in the Coogs. (Mark J. Rebilas \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mike B., optimistic Illinois fan: \u201cWill we beat Ohio State and Oregon? Hell no. But I like our chances in games against teams who are similar to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bradley H., optimistic Indiana fan: \u201cThere\u2019s part of me that feels like literally everything is house money from here on out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Josh, pessimistic Iowa fan: \u201cThey will win eight or nine games and look horrible against any team that is actually good. (Kirk) Ferentz produces an incredibly consistent product, for better and for worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Blake, optimistic Iowa State fan: \u201cExpectations could not be lower. Obviously, we\u2019re replacing a program legend and most of the roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mark, optimistic James Madison fan: \u201cCignetti? Chesney? Sun Belt Billy? Can lightning strike thrice?! Certainly. Dukes by 50.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 David Watson, pessimistic Kansas fan: \u201cThe Big 12 is like Double-A minor-league baseball at this point. Even the big-money teams like Texas Tech and BYU can\u2019t compete nationally, so why should I be hopeful for Kansas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Grant N., optimistic Kansas State fan: \u201cGod Emperor Collin Klein<\/a> has returned to rule the Big 12 with an iron fist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ben U., optimistic Kentucky fan: \u201cKentucky fans got what they wanted. A new coach. An offensive-minded coach. A young coach. A modern coach. Now we get to find out if we actually knew what we wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Professor Stu, optimistic Louisville fan: \u201cJeff Brohm is the QB whisperer, we have a real QB prospect in Lincoln Kienholz, and we have the best RB tandem in the nation. What\u2019s not to be optimistic about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 John, pessimistic LSU fan: \u201cWe hired Lane Kiffin. It\u2019ll be fun, and we might win a lot of games. But eventually, we\u2019ll get Lane Kiffin\u2019d.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 David, optimistic Maryland fan: \u201cMalik Washington is the most exciting quarterback Maryland has had in years. If the defense improves, Maryland could surprise people who have forgotten we exist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Adam, pessimistic Maryland fan: \u201cWe\u2019re a basketball school that isn\u2019t particularly good at basketball anymore. Football is somehow less encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jordan, optimistic UMass fan: \u201cWe didn\u2019t win a game last year \u2026 so there is only one way to go now: up!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 S, optimistic Miami (Ohio) fan: \u201cGonna win the MAC and at least beat one Power 4 school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zach S., optimistic Michigan fan: \u201cCoach (Kyle) Whittingham still has a little vitriol to learn<\/a> when it comes to the biggest rivalry in sports, but I\u2019ll let that slide if it means he can put this program back on the right track.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nick G., pessimistic Michigan State fan: \u201cIt\u2019s hard to keep track of the roster now. I had to buy the new CFB 27 game just so I could get to know who I\u2019m rooting for this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Marty, optimistic Minnesota fan: \u201cDrake Lindsey gives Minnesota something it rarely has: a quarterback opposing fans might actually know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Andy, optimistic Mississippi State fan: \u201cKamario Taylor is going to take the country by storm. Jeff Lebby\u2019s system finally gets going, and Zach Arnett will improve a defense that features one of the nation\u2019s best cornerbacks in Kelley Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Todd, pessimistic Missouri fan: \u201c(Eli) Drinkwitz has raised expectations high enough that eight wins now feels unsatisfying, which is either progress or a new way for Missouri football to hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bobby D., optimistic Navy fan: \u201cWe have an advantage in the American, where the best players on other teams are constantly being poached by P4 teams. Continuity has become underrated. \u2026 It\u2019s always next man up!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jacob, pessimistic NC State fan: \u201cThe program is just beige. Dave Doeren is beige.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Scott, pessimistic Nebraska fan: \u201cEvery year Nebraska fans believe the corner has been turned. At this point, we have walked around the entire block.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Wade, optimistic New Mexico fan: \u201cPlayoff or bust for the Lobos! Just kidding, but a 10-win season seems entirely plausible. Also, let\u2019s be real, it\u2019s gonna be our last season with Jason Eck before he heads to Wisconsin, so we might as well make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jon, optimistic North Texas fan: \u201cExpecting a significant step down with so much turnover in the program. Still, excited to enjoy getting to know a new staff and roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Adam, optimistic Northwestern fan: \u201cWe have a cool new stadium<\/a> and Chip Kelly. What the eff is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Anthony T., pessimistic Notre Dame fan: \u201cCharlie Brown is always optimistic he is going to kick that ball with Lucy holding it. I have been a Notre Dame fan for decades, and the Irish always end up disappointing me. But Go Irish!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Michael, optimistic Ohio fan: \u201cThe MAC is the MAC, so just about any of the schools can end up in Detroit \u2014 which makes it so much more fun than any of the top-heavy conferences.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jason, optimistic Ohio State fan: \u201cRyan Day has shown he can reload like Nick Saban. At Ohio State, that means winning 12 games and spending the entire season discussing the one he might lose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Geoff, optimistic Oklahoma fan: \u201cWe went 10-2 and made the Playoff with a nonexistent offense. It just feels sound in logic to say this team is better than last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Matt, pessimistic Ole Miss fan: \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to separate how I feel about Ole Miss from how badly I want LSU and Lane Kiffin to fail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jess Porter, optimistic Oklahoma State fan: \u201cLast year, all was lost. This year, I choose hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 TP, optimistic Oregon fan: \u201cDante (Moore) and the defensive line returned to complete unfinished business and lead the Ducks to our first national championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Steve, pessimistic Oregon State fan: \u201cBeaver and Wazzu fans are like Robbie Hart from \u2018The Wedding Singer\u2019 when he\u2019s down in the dumps and trying to rebuild his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 John H., pessimistic Penn State fan: \u201cI don\u2019t think Matt Campbell magically became Curt Cignetti on the drive over from Iowa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dan B., pessimistic Pittsburgh fan: \u201c(Pat) Narduzzi will coach for another decade because of his completely unearned extension \u2014 how can you let a guy that wins seven games every year just walk away?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lee Cameron, pessimistic Rice fan: \u201cRice is a small school, and football just isn\u2019t a priority. I\u2019m a 1975 graduate. We weren\u2019t good then, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ghost of Cowboy Joe, pessimistic Purdue fan: \u201cMy cup leaketh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Gwecky, pessimistic Rutgers fan: \u201cRutgers\u2019 Big Ten record since joining in 2014: 22-84. Greg Schiano\u2019s record at Rutgers after 17 seasons: 99-108. If there\u2019s something to be optimistic about, please let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kevin W., optimistic Sam Houston fan: \u201cWe won two games last season with all road games and no NIL money. We have both this season, as well as much better players.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Trevor, optimistic San Diego State fan: \u201cI\u2019m ready for some 49-42 shootouts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Matt, optimistic South Carolina fan: \u201cBeamer is an every-other-year successful head coach; with last year being 4-8, we\u2019re back on the timeline for a successful 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Paul, pessimistic South Florida fan: \u201cAll the best players went to Auburn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Clif, pessimistic Southern Miss fan: \u201cWe\u2019ve fallen mightily since I attended USM. Back then, the defense was known as the Nasty Bunch, and the SEC and other conferences feared playing us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 David, pessimistic Stanford fan: \u201cI basically don\u2019t watch college football anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lori, optimistic Syracuse fan: \u201cI just really like Fran Brown, so I\u2019m totally pulling for him and my team. And if they have a miserable year \u2026 I will want him gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kyle Owen, optimistic Texas State fan: \u201cWith returning offensive firepower and a veteran defense mostly still intact, the \u2019Cats might be a sleeping giant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Matt M., optimistic Texas Tech fan: \u201cWatching Tech not merely improve on the defensive side of the ball, but instead become elite, was quite the shock to the system after years of futility.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bart Barrett, optimistic Tennessee fan: \u201cOur biggest problem is that we play in the SEC and not the ACC.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lane, pessimistic Texas A&M fan: \u201cThey\u2019re the 76ers of college football \u2014 occasionally wildly talented and interesting, but never cohesive enough to make it count.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Steeve, optimistic Toledo fan: \u201cThe schedule is set up in a way that could have the Rockets competing for that G6 playoff spot and becoming college football\u2019s biggest villain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Arthur, pessimistic Tulane fan: \u201cTerrified that our new coach doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Charles, pessimistic UAB fan: \u201cUAB hired the worst coach in college football history in 2022 and mercifully fired him last year, but decided to hire his offensive coordinator and keep many of his staffers. UAB also has no money. Worse times are ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Chad, optimistic UCF fan: \u201cGot Alonzo Barnett from JMU, which is awesome, but UCF is broke, and the line play will be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zach, optimistic UCLA fan: \u201cHaving Bob Chesney and his staff makes it feel like the program has adults in the room for the first time since Jim Mora\u2019s first two years in Westwood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rebel, optimistic UNLV fan: \u201cAfter years of awful football filled with platitudes about potential and hope of being a sleeping giant, the Rebels have finally awoken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Adolfo, pessimistic USC fan: \u201cThere are still a lot of question marks on defense, and question marks probably won\u2019t get it done against Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 John, pessimistic Utah fan: \u201cUtah is again an afterthought. To make matters worse, BYU is ascending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ron Reyes, pessimistic UTEP fan: \u201cThere is nowhere to go but up for the Miners! Back in the Mountain West where they should have been long ago, playing other teams their fans will actually care about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kyle Rodriguez, optimistic UTSA fan: \u201cOur toughest games are at the Alamodome, a place where we have gone 25-1 in conference games since 2019. We will beat Navy for our first AAC championship and go on to play in the College Football Playoff!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 DK, optimistic Vanderbilt fan: \u201cNobody named preseason All-SEC this year, and that\u2019s a good thing. We\u2019re going to sneak up on people now that (Diego) Pavia is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 David G., optimistic Wake Forest fan: \u201cWill Wake be playing for the CFP? No. But Jake Dickert proved he\u2019ll have them dressed and competing each week, which is about as good as it gets for a small school. The only thing left to wonder is how many more years we have before Dickert leaves for a larger school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jake H., optimistic Washington fan: \u201cFrom everything that has been made public, the Demond (Williams) fiasco<\/a> is in the rearview.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kyle D., optimistic West Virginia fan: \u201cWe don\u2019t really have a choice. Rich Rod is back and represents the highest level of optimism we\u2019ve had in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Paul Pysh, pessimistic West Virginia fan: \u201cRich Fraudriguez, in my opinion, is too far out of touch with how to adjust his coaching style to today\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mike, pessimistic Wisconsin fan: \u201c(Luke) Fickell\u2019s tenure seems snakebit. Unfortunately, it seems Fickell is the one who provided the snakes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Athletic has live coverage of Colorado vs. Georgia Tech. If there\u2019s something we\u2019ve learned from the annual…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1041499,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[43],"tags":[3917,35604,35594,1373,1428,3909,1372,35596,12806,1318,23536,2500,3915,9443,1379,8798,8797,35607,8795,416995,3914,35600,1426,4739,7800,153794,9444,35601,1317,1315,1316,11995,35603,3910,1380,4733,21286,30698,1381,35606,8796,3916,14971,35597,62,222,35602,22503,35593,9662,8799,35598,35595,67,132,68,32858,35605,1374,27637,1427],"class_list":["post-1041498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ncaa-football","tag-baylor-bears","tag-boston-college-eagles","tag-cincinnati-bearcats","tag-clemson-tigers","tag-college-football","tag-connecticut-huskies","tag-duke-blue-devils","tag-east-carolina-pirates","tag-florida-state-seminoles","tag-football","tag-georgia-tech-yellow-jackets","tag-houston-cougars","tag-illinois-fighting-illini","tag-indiana-hoosiers","tag-iowa-hawkeyes","tag-iowa-state-cyclones","tag-kansas-jayhawks","tag-kansas-state-wildcats","tag-louisville-cardinals","tag-marshall-thundering-h","tag-maryland-terrapins","tag-memphis-tigers","tag-miami-hurricanes","tag-michigan-state-spartans","tag-michigan-wolverines","tag-middle-tennessee-blue-raiders","tag-minnesota-golden-gophers","tag-navy-midshipmen","tag-ncaa","tag-ncaa-football","tag-ncaafootball","tag-nebraska-cornhuskers","tag-north-carolina-state-wolfpack","tag-north-carolina-tar-heels","tag-northwestern-wildcats","tag-ohio-state-buckeyes","tag-oklahoma-sooners","tag-oklahoma-state-cowboys","tag-penn-state-nittany-lions","tag-pittsburgh-panthers","tag-purdue-boilermakers","tag-rutgers-scarlet-knights","tag-smu-mustangs","tag-south-florida-bulls","tag-sports","tag-sports-business","tag-syracuse-orange","tag-tcu-horned-frogs","tag-temple-owls","tag-texas-longhorns","tag-texas-tech-red-raiders","tag-tulane-green-wave","tag-ucf-knights","tag-united-states","tag-unitedstates","tag-us","tag-virginia-cavaliers","tag-virginia-tech-hokies","tag-wake-forest-demon-deacons","tag-west-virginia-mountaineers","tag-wisconsin-badgers"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1041498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1041498"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1041498\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1041499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1041498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1041498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1041498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}