Pat Forde Flags 10 Pressure Points for 2026 College Football Season
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 30
Pat Forde Flags 10 Pressure Points for 2026 College Football Season
2 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 30
Summary
10 preseason flashpoints top Forde’s 2026 pressure list, led by LSU coach Lane Kiffin and roster-building tactics tied to NCAA eligibility lawsuits.
LSU sits at No. 1 because legal fights over returning players are already reshaping rosters, with Forde arguing Kiffin and the Tigers face heavy SEC backlash and must justify an expensive talent haul.
Texas, Oregon and Notre Dame follow close behind, with Forde framing Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian, Dan Lanning’s playoff hurdle, and Marcus Freeman’s title chance as major tests of contenders.
Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana and Texas Tech also make the list, reflecting pressure that ranges from defending elite status to proving breakthrough seasons and transfer-heavy roster bets can hold up.
Forde’s broader outlook is that off-field litigation and roster churn are colliding with championship expectations across the sport; his projected 12-team playoff ends with Notre Dame beating Indiana.