Samwise College Football Newsletter
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Bill Belichick Eyes Year 2 Bounce-Back as UNC Arrives at ACC Kickoff
Bill Belichick arrived at Charlotte’s ACC Kickoff on Friday eager to put a brutal first college season in the rear-view mirror. The six-time Super Bowl champion’s debut year at North Carolina was defined by 70 new players, nine losses — five by double-digit margins — and no bowl game in 2025. UNC’s three wins came against teams with a combined 8-28 record. “Last year when we started, we were literally starting from scratch,” Belichick said. Year 2 brings a deeper, better-prepared roster. “Culture’s a lot different, work ethic’s different,” he said Friday. Wide receiver Jordan Shipp acknowledged the environment: “Everybody wanted to see Coach Belichick fail.”
Sources: Boston.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pitt’s Narduzzi Publicly Accuses Miami of Tampering Before Portal Deadline
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi used ACC Media Days on Friday to publicly accuse Miami of tampering with Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel before ultimately poaching Duke QB Darian Mensah. “Miami tried to get Mason Thursday before the portal closed the following day, and we were able to hang on to him and shut them down,” Narduzzi said. He even tipped off Duke’s Manny Diaz in real time: “I hear he’s going for your guy next. And sure enough, they stole him.” Heintschel, who went 6-3 as Pitt’s starter and threw for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, remains with the Panthers heading into 2026.
Duke’s Manny Diaz Calls ACC Tiebreaker Narrative “Insulting”
Duke head coach Manny Diaz arrived at ACC Kickoff on Friday with something to say. The ACC unveiled a new conference tiebreaker system earlier this week — widely seen as a response to last season’s controversial situation in which playoff-bound Miami was left out of the ACC title game in favor of a five-loss Duke team that held a 6-2 conference record. Diaz pushed back hard. “I want to push back against that narrative. I think it’s not just false, I think it’s insulting,” he said, calling Duke’s championship game appearance fully deserved. Diaz also argued that ACC champions should receive an automatic College Football Playoff bid going forward.
Boston College Carries Underdog Pride Into Year 2, But Suffers Key Tight End Injury
Boston College arrived at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte on Friday carrying underdog pride after a 2-10 season. Coach Bill O’Brien has rebuilt the roster around transfer quarterback Mason McKenzie, a dual-threat from Division II Saginaw Valley State, who is unquestionably BC’s Week 1 starter. “I’ve always been told I’m too small, not big enough, not fast enough,” McKenzie said. “But I’ve always been able to perform.” The bigger news may be at tight end: freshman standout Kaelan Chudzinski, who caught 24 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, is expected to miss the entire 2026 season after suffering an Achilles injury in spring practice.
Sources: Boston.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
SMU’s Lashlee Backs Kevin Jennings for Heisman, Challenges ESPN FPI’s SEC Bias
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee arrived at his third consecutive ACC Football Kickoff bullish on his program and specifically on quarterback Kevin Jennings, whose Heisman Trophy campaign Lashlee defended without hesitation on Friday. “He’s done it,” Lashlee said of Jennings’ credentials for college football’s highest individual honor. SMU teammate PJ Williams added a lighter take, joking he protects Jennings “like I’d treat my sister.” Lashlee also challenged ESPN’s Football Power Index algorithm for what he called an inflated portrayal of the SEC’s 2026 strength of schedule, positioning SMU as an overlooked threat heading into a season with national ambitions.
AP Poll
No rankings during off-season. Preseason AP Top 25 releases in mid-August 2026.
CFP Rankings
CFP selection committee rankings begin in late October when the 2026 season is underway.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency