Samwise College Football Newsletter
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Big Ten Media Days Open in Chicago with Conference Chasing Fourth Straight National Title
Big Ten Media Days kicked off Tuesday at the Hilton Chicago, beginning a three-day showcase as the conference chases a fourth consecutive national championship. Day one features coaches and players from Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC and Wisconsin. The event — the unofficial start of the 2026 college football season — continues Wednesday with Ohio State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue and UCLA, before closing Thursday with defending champion Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern and Washington. With preseason camp openings imminent across the country, the next three days set the narrative heading into a season bursting with storylines, from Indiana’s title defense to Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan debut.
Sources: CBS Sports
Preseason Big Ten Poll: Ohio State #1, Indiana Third as Defending National Champion
The 2026 Preseason Big Ten Football Poll dropped ahead of Media Days, with Ohio State claiming the top spot (540 points, 15 of 31 first-place votes to win the conference). The Buckeyes return Heisman candidates Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith after a stellar 12-0 regular season that ended in a two-game playoff slide. Oregon is second (527 points), boosted by quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to bypass the NFL Draft. Defending national champion Indiana — fresh off a historic 16-0 season — sits third (509 points) despite replacing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with TCU transfer Josh Hoover. Michigan, under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, checks in fifth with 430 points.
Sources: On3
Michigan’s Whittingham Calls for College Football to Become NFL Minor League with Salary Cap
New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham ignited debate Monday by calling for college football to adopt a NFL minor league structure — complete with a salary cap, a 48-to-60-team super league and players classified as employees. Speaking with Rich Eisen, Whittingham warned that some programs are on track for $50 million rosters within a single recruiting cycle. “NIL is going up 20-30-40% a year, and it can’t continue that way. It’s not sustainable,” Whittingham said. The 21-year Utah veteran — now heading into his first Big Ten Media Days — acknowledged the model conflicts with NCAA preferences but argued no viable alternative exists as spending spirals.
Sources: On3
UNC GM Michael Lombardi Placed on Paid Administrative Leave Amid HR Complaint
North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi — Bill Belichick’s first hire at Chapel Hill and reportedly the highest-paid general manager in college football at $1.5 million per year — was placed on paid administrative leave Monday following a human resources complaint from a former staff member. UNC issued no additional details, citing the personnel investigation. Lombardi spent more than three decades as an NFL executive with the Patriots, 49ers, Raiders, Broncos, Eagles and Browns. He becomes the second Belichick hire placed on leave at UNC; cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended in October 2025 for an NCAA extra-benefits violation. Lombardi’s son Matt serves as the team’s quarterbacks coach.
Sources: On3
McElroy: No Big 12 Team Can Win National Championship in 2026, Texas Tech Leads CFP Tier
ESPN analyst Greg McElroy delivered a frank verdict ahead of 2026: no Big 12 team can win the national championship. On his Always College Football podcast, McElroy ranked Texas Tech, BYU, Utah and Houston as CFP contenders — each with major questions. Texas Tech must replace quarterback Brendan Sorsby, permanently banned by the NCAA over gambling. BYU returns Freshman of the Year quarterback Bear Bachmeier and Offensive Player of the Year running back LJ Martin. Utah faces replacing five starting offensive linemen under new coach Morgan Scalley. McElroy called Oklahoma State — led by ex-North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker — his sneaky pick to surprise in the spoiler tier.
Sources: On3
2026 Big Ten Preseason Poll
AP Preseason Poll not yet released — conference poll shown
1. Ohio State (540 pts)
2. Oregon (527 pts)
3. Indiana — Def. Champs (509 pts)
4. USC (446 pts)
5. Michigan (430 pts)
6. Penn State (380 pts)
7. Washington (366 pts)
8. Iowa (361 pts)
9. Illinois (364 pts)
10. Minnesota (268 pts)
Big 12 Preseason CFP Tier
Per ESPN’s Greg McElroy
CFP Contenders
• Texas Tech (defending champ)
• BYU
• Utah
• Houston
Spoilers
• TCU, Kansas State, Arizona State
• Arizona, Oklahoma State (sneaky pick)
No Big 12 team projected to win national title
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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