The 2025-26 college football season has concluded, but that doesn't mean we can't look ahead to 2026-27.
I analyzed 3 major futures markets — national title, Heisman Trophy winner and win totals — and came through with a pick for each category.
With the football calendar about to flip, let's take a look at my college football picks and NCAAF futures for the 2026-27 season.
Texas to Win National Championship (+750)
If you were sickened by the media fawning all over Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns last summer, I have some bad news.
The Longhorns just completed a portal spending spree. They lured wide receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn, running back Hollywood Smothers from NC State, running back Raleek Brown from Arizona State and linebacker Rasheem Biles from Pitt.
In total, seven blue-chip recruits traded in their old threads for burnt orange.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian will once again have a top-five roster in terms of talent, and Manning’s late-season maturation has the hype train leaving the station.
After struggling with reads, timing and confidence in the early going, Manning became a dual-threat dynamo down the stretch. In his last five starts, he posted a QBR of 91 or better four times, knocked off three top-20 opponents and accounted for 15 total touchdowns against just one interception.
If Texas can move the football on the ground this fall, this offense will run roughshod over the competition. Keep in mind, Texas’ line struggled through the year, finishing 93rd in Line Yards and 54th in pass blocking.
I’m banking on Melvin Siani, a four-star offensive lineman from Wake Forest, to anchor a rejuvenated line this season and for Texas to finally reach its potential.
This number may feel short, but an early-season win over Ohio State would drop itz title odds into the 4-1 neighborhood. If you believe in Manning and this portal class, now is the time to buy.
Pick: Texas To Win National Championship (+750)
Brendan Sorsby to Win Heisman Trophy (+2500)
Let’s stick in the Lone Star State.
Last season, Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders were a buzzsaw, slicing through the Big 12 with ease.
Had Texas Tech starting quarterback Behren Morton avoided injury, he would have finished with stats in the neighborhood of 3,100 yards passing with 26 touchdowns.
For perspective, Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman with less than 3,000 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns before the Heisman ballots were cast.
Brendan Sorsby has the skill set and receiving corps to produce through the air, but that’s not all he’ll be bringing to Northwest Texas this fall.
Sorsby is one of the best running quarterbacks in the sport, having racked up nearly 600 yards on the ground with nine rushing touchdowns in the regular season.
He should hit the ground running with a Downy-soft opening slate of FCS Abilene Christian, Oregon State and Sam Houston. If he exited September as the Heisman front-runner, I wouldn’t be shocked.
Pick: Brendan Sorsby to Win Heisman Trophy (+2500)
Virginia Tech Over 7.5 Wins (+116)
James Franklin burst onto the head coaching scene back in 2011, instantly providing a downtrodden Vanderbilt program with credibility.
The Commodores were 4-20 straight up in the two seasons before Franklin’s arrival, and completely devoid of talent. Undaunted, he turned the team around in short order, leading Vandy to three straight bowl games and a record of 24-15.
His star was only starting to ascend before Penn State nabbed him in 2014. He led Penn State to seven major bowl games over the next 11 seasons before disaster struck last fall by way of a three-game losing streak, which cost him his job.
The coaching star hit the unemployment line for all of 36 days before landing at Virginia Tech. And one noticeable difference thus far is his edge; this looks like "Revenge Tour James."
He raided his former employer, bringing four-star quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds with him down to Blacksburg.
The talent infusion has produced the school’s highest-rated transfer class (17th, 247Sports), and if commitments hold, they’ll have the program’s first top-30 high school recruiting class since 2019.
A manageable opening month of VMI, Old Dominion and a trip to downtrodden Maryland could produce a 3-0 start. That’s why I’m nabbing Revenge James at plus-money to exceed his win total.
Pick: Virginia Tech Over 7.5 Wins (+116)
