Samwise College Football Newsletter
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Defending Champions Back on the Field: Indiana Opens Fall Camp After 16-0 Title Season
The reigning national champions returned to practice Wednesday in Bloomington as Indiana opened fall camp following last season’s 16-0 championship run. Coach Curt Cignetti said rebuilding team continuity is critical after several starters missed spring practice. Defensive end Stephen Daley — third nationally with 19 tackles for loss before suffering an injury after the Big Ten Championship — returned for a fifth year and looked strong on Day 1. Quarterbacks Josh Hoover and Khobie Martin worked together on mesh-point reps, while veterans Carter Smith, Lee Bebee, and Charlie Becker all returned to the practice field.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Sam Leavitt Looks Healthy as LSU Opens Lane Kiffin’s First Fall Camp
LSU opened fall camp Wednesday with first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, featuring transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt making his debut in pads after missing spring practice with a foot injury. Kiffin was encouraging after practice: “Sam’s been moving around really well, and if you just went out today and saw him, I don’t think you’d think there was an injury.” Receivers Jayce Brown, Jackson Harris, Winnie Watkins, and Malik Elzy all caught passes from Leavitt. Dilin Jones led the running back drills, and the starting offensive line of Seaton, Bordelon, Moore, Bah, and Davis held formation.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Michigan’s Jay Hill Puts Rod Moore and John Henry Daley on Pitch Count to Open Camp
Michigan defensive coordinator Jay Hill said both Rod Moore and defensive lineman John Henry Daley will be on a pitch count to open fall camp, raising questions about defensive depth heading into 2026. Moore tore his ACL before the 2024 fall camp, missed that entire season, returned to play just three games in 2025 before redshirting, and is back for a final year. Daley, who transferred from Utah and ruptured his Achilles in November 2025, has been described as ahead of schedule but will still be managed carefully. Michigan opens the season against Western Michigan, with a high-stakes home game against Oklahoma to follow.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Two Michigan Players Off 2026 Roster as Wolverines Release Official Fall Camp List
Michigan released its official 2026 roster Wednesday as fall camp opened, and two players were absent. Wide receiver CJ Charleston, seeking a seventh-year waiver, was denied and is no longer on the team. Safety Taylor Tatum, a former No. 1-ranked running back who was switching to the defensive backfield, will instead focus on Michigan baseball this season. Among the incoming freshmen, edge rusher Carter Meadows stands out at 6-foot-7 and 252 pounds, while offensive lineman Malakai Lee enters camp at 6-foot-7 and 359 pounds. Veteran safety Rod Moore switched to jersey No. 1 for his final season in Ann Arbor.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Preseason Coaches Poll Draws Skepticism: Indiana Ranked Too Low, Georgia Too High Per SI
Sports Illustrated examined the preseason coaches poll released Tuesday, designating three teams as overrated and three as underrated. Indiana, the defending champion ranked No. 6 despite receiving the second-most first-place votes, leads the underrated list — SI notes Cignetti’s 2025 squad was virtually mistake-free and coaches may be too quick to doubt them again. Georgia at No. 3 is overrated after struggling to generate explosive plays last season. Michigan at No. 19 is also underrated, with Bryce Underwood and new coach Kyle Whittingham expected to improve on last year’s 9-4 finish. The season opens with TCU vs. North Carolina in Dublin on August 31.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
2026 Preseason Coaches Poll
Released Aug 4 — Season begins Aug 29
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana ★
7. Miami (FL)
8. LSU
9. Tennessee
10. Penn State
★ Defending National Champions · AP Poll releases Aug 17
Conference Preseason Favorites
SEC
#3 Georgia · #4 Texas · #8 LSU · #9 Tennessee
Big Ten
#1 Ohio State · #2 Oregon · #6 Indiana · #10 Penn State
Big 12
#12 Texas Tech
ACC
#7 Miami (FL) · #23 Clemson
No game results yet — conference standings begin Aug 29
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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