Samwise College Football Newsletter
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Will Stein Begins Kentucky Rebuild With Brutal SEC Schedule Looming in Year One
First-year head coach Will Stein, hired from Oregon where he served as offensive coordinator, is charged with rebuilding a Kentucky program that went 5-7 under fired Mark Stoops in 2025. Stein assembled an aggressive portal class headlined by Tennessee offensive tackle Lance Heard and LSU wide receiver Nic Anderson, with Tegra Tshabola arriving from Ohio State to anchor the interior line. Quarterback Kenny Minchey will lead the new-look offense. The early schedule is brutal: Alabama arrives in Week 2 before the Wildcats head to Texas A&M in Week 3. College Football News projects a 4-8 first season as Stein lays the foundation for Kentucky’s future in the SEC.
Sources: College Football News
EA Sports College Football 27 Deluxe Cover Leaked: Cignetti and CFP Champions Featured
The cover for EA Sports College Football 27’s Deluxe Edition was leaked from the Xbox Store, giving fans their first glimpse of the game that celebrates Indiana’s historic 16-0 national championship season. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti headlines the cover alongside Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who spurned the NFL Draft this spring to return to Eugene, and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy and Texas linebacker Colin Simmons also appear, along with Malachi Toney and Leonard Moore, spanning several Power Four conferences on the cover. The leak gives college football fans an early preview of the upcoming season.
Sources: Saturday Down South
FIU Eyes Conference USA Title as Willie Simmons Enters Year Two
Second-year head coach Willie Simmons, who led FIU to its fifth winning season in program history with a 7-6 mark in 2025, is targeting Conference USA hardware after landing an upgrade at quarterback. JJ Kohl, a 6-foot-7 transfer from App State who threw 12 touchdown passes against just two interceptions in eight games last season, takes over the passing attack. Running back Anthony Carrie, a Georgia Tech transfer, leads the backfield following the departure of 1,334-yard rusher Kejon Owens. Pass rusher Kenton Simmons headlines a defense that led Conference USA with 31 sacks last year. College Football News projects FIU to finish 6-6 in 2026.
Sources: College Football News
Niumatalolo Faces Total Overhaul as San Jose State Starts Over in Mountain West
San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo faces a near-total roster rebuild after last season’s 3-9 collapse ended three straight winning campaigns. The Spartans suffered heavy transfer portal losses, most notably receiver Danny Scudero — 88 catches, nearly 1,300 yards and ten touchdowns in 2025 — who departed for Colorado. Quarterback Luke Weaver, a Hawaii transfer who delivered a game-winning touchdown pass in the Hawaii Bowl, is expected to lead a rebuilt offense alongside new receiver Jordan Anderson from Sacramento State. College Football News projects a 5-7 season, with bowl eligibility hinging on home wins over Cal Poly, Wyoming and Northern Illinois.
Sources: College Football News
2025 Champion
🏆 Indiana Hoosiers (16-0)
CFP Title: Indiana 38, Miami 24
2026 CFP Odds (Kalshi)
1. Ohio State — 78%
2. Notre Dame — 77%
3. Oregon — 76%
4. Georgia — 74%
5. Miami (FL) — 72%
Odds to qualify for the 2026 CFP
More 2026 CFP Odds
6. Texas Tech — 69%
7. Texas — 68%
8. Indiana — 67%
9. LSU — 41%
10. Ole Miss — 36%
Season begins late August 2026
Source: Kalshi prediction market via Saturday Down South (May 30)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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