Samwise College Football Newsletter
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Pac-12 Version 2.0 Is Official: Conference Relaunches With Eight New Members
The Pac-12 Conference officially relaunched Wednesday, July 1, returning to the college football landscape as a revamped eight-team league more than two years after its near-extinction. The reconstituted conference features Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State — a dramatic departure from the Pac-10/12 era that once boasted USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Arizona among its members. The revived conference begins play in 2026, with Boise State and Oregon State considered early frontrunners to contend for the inaugural Pac-12 2.0 championship. The historic Pac-12 brand lives on, now anchored by Mountain West transplants and a Lone Star State newcomer.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Way-Too-Early: Josh Pate Projects Texas No. 1 in 2026 AP Preseason Poll
College football analyst Josh Pate took an early stab at the 2026 AP Preseason Top 25 on Tuesday, putting Texas at No. 1 thanks to Arch Manning's anticipated breakout season. Manning enters Year 2 as starter with elite additions — WR Cam Coleman from Auburn and RBs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers — making the Longhorns the sport's most loaded roster. Notre Dame checks in at No. 2 behind QB CJ Carr, while defending national champion Indiana slots third despite a major roster overhaul. Oregon (No. 4, Dante Moore) and Ohio State (No. 5, Julian Sayin/Jeremiah Smith) round out Pate's projected top five. The actual AP poll drops in mid-August.
SEC Transfer Portal Frenzy: Arkansas Leads All with 48 New Roster Additions
The SEC's transfer portal era officially peaked this offseason, with On3 revealing that all 16 conference teams combined for a staggering number of new additions — led by Arkansas' 48-transfer haul under new head coach Ryan Silverfield (formerly of Memphis). Auburn (46, new coach Alex Golesh bringing QB Byrum Brown from USF), LSU (44, Lane Kiffin loading up with No. 1 overall transfer Sam Leavitt), and Ole Miss (44) all completed near-total roster rebuilds. Georgia and Texas, at just 15 and 21 transfers respectively, stand out as the SEC's stability anchors. Six conference programs are under new head coaches entering 2026, amplifying the portal's impact across the board.
Texas Tops SEC Power Rankings Entering July, LSU Cracks Top 3 Under Kiffin
Saturday Down South released preseason power rankings for all 16 SEC teams Wednesday, placing Texas at No. 1 behind Arch Manning and a loaded supporting cast — WR Cam Coleman, RBs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers. Georgia sits second, with Kirby Smart seeking his third straight SEC title. Lane Kiffin's LSU debuts at third, backed by QB Sam Leavitt and OL anchor Jordan Seaton from Colorado. Ole Miss (No. 4) holds steady behind QB Trinidad Chambliss under promoted HC Pete Golding, while Arkansas checks in last at 16th under new coach Ryan Silverfield. SEC Media Days are just two weeks away.
Sources: Saturday Down South Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
EA Sports College Football 27 Early Access Begins Today, Full Launch July 9
EA Sports College Football 27 launches worldwide on July 9, but MVP+ subscribers can begin playing today — Thursday, July 2 — making it the hottest topic in college football on what would otherwise be a quiet holiday week. The third installment of the rebooted franchise introduces dynamic in-game weather, improved route-running AI, a redesigned dynasty mode, and PC availability for the first time. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith holds the game's top overall rating at 99, with OSU QB Julian Sayin at 94. Deluxe Edition early access begins July 6; standard pricing starts at $69.99.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2026 Preseason AP Top 10 (Projected)
Actual AP poll releases mid-August
1. Texas
2. Notre Dame
3. Indiana
4. Oregon
5. Ohio State
6. Miami
7. Georgia
8. Texas A&M
9. Ole Miss
10. LSU
Transfer Portal Leaders (Offseason)
SEC Transfer Additions
1. Arkansas — 48 additions
2. Auburn — 46 additions
3. LSU — 44 additions
4. Ole Miss — 44 additions
5. Texas — 21 additions
6. Georgia — 15 additions
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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