College football regression candidates: 5 teams, including Indiana, likely to take a step back in 2026
Life is hard in college football. It can be difficult to maintain success, especially high levels of success, from year-to-year. Some programs simply reload rather than rebuild, and the ability to tap into the transfer portal to restock a roster certainly helps. But sometimes, the pieces do not fit together as needed, and a team […]
For college football teams, maintaining high levels of success can be challenging. Some programs opt to reload rather than rebuild, filling gaps with players from the transfer portal. However, when the pieces do not fit together as desired, a team may experience a regression after a strong season. Here are five programs that could potentially take a step back in 2026: Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Duke.
Vanderbilt's success last season, with a 10-2 record and a win over Tennessee, was largely due to quarterback Diego Pavia, who was an All-SEC First-Team selection and a Heisman Trophy runner-up. However, Pavia is now playing in the NFL and will be replaced by true freshman Jared Curtis. Vanderbilt's schedule this year will be particularly tough, with back-to-back games against Auburn and Georgia, as well as a November stretch featuring Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.
Ohio State has strong talent on offense, with quarterback Julian Sayin returning after a Heisman Trophy campaign, and standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West coming back from strong seasons. However, on defense, Ohio State has lost several key players, including JT Tuimoloau, Cody Simon, Lathan Ransom, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs.
The team will need to get the new defensive recruits up to speed quickly to maintain their national championship aspirations.
Ole Miss ended last season with a 31-27 loss to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, just short of the College Football Playoff title game. The Rebels have several returning key players, including defensive tackle Will Echoles, linebackers Suntarine Perkins and Jaylon Braxton, and offensive tackle Delano Townsend. However, the biggest loss is quarterback Pete Golding, who left for Louisiana State University.
Guard Patrick Kutas will also be out for the year with a season-ending knee injury. The tough upcoming schedule, including a trip to Texas and games against Auburn and Georgia, will add to the challenge.
Duke reached the ACC title game last year, but life will be more difficult for Duke in 2026. Quarterback Darian Mensah transferred to Miami, and incoming transfer Walker Eget brings a lower completion percentage and more interceptions. The defense, which finished 14th in the ACC in points allowed per game last season, will need to improve to match last year's offense. The offense, led by a new quarterback, will have to overcome these challenges to avoid a regression.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
