College Football Preview: UCLA Poised for Rise as Iowa State Faces Roster Exodus

As the 2026 college football season approaches, the Big Ten Media Days have become a flashpoint for discussing massive roster overhauls and coaching transitions. UCLA is expected to be a major riser this season under new coach Bob Chesney. Chesney, who brings a 132-52 career record, has effectively reset the Bruins' talent level by bringing in a 42-player transfer class—the most expensive roster in the program's history. Combined with a favorable schedule that avoids several conference powerhouses, UCLA is poised for a significant jump in wins.

Conversely, Iowa State faces a potentially grueling year under Jimmy Rogers. The Cyclones enter the season as the only Power Four program with zero returning starters. Despite Rogers' history of successful roster turnover at Washington State, the brutal Big 12 schedule and the addition of 75 new signees have led oddsmakers to set a win total of just 4.5, down significantly from their 2025 finish.

Off-field issues are also casting a shadow over the start of the season. The NCAA has suspended Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter for the first two games, and Ole Miss has filed a lawsuit against former players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper following their transfers to LSU. Furthermore, North Carolina has placed General Manager Michael Lombardi on administrative leave, signaling internal turmoil within the Tar Heels' leadership.

The landscape is also changing aesthetically and structurally. Ohio State's introduction of a jersey patch has sparked debate over the commercialization of the sport, while Stanford players are reportedly laying the groundwork for what could become the first labor union in college athletics. At USC, Lincoln Riley has turned to veteran coach Gary Patterson to help improve a defense that has struggled to find consistency in recent years.