10 college football teams poised to bounce back this season

Key Points:

• LSU is undergoing a major transition with new head coach Lane Kiffin, who is expected to improve their offense significantly despite ongoing drama; the team faces a tough early schedule including Clemson, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.
• Florida, under new coach Jon Sumrall, aims to rebound from recent struggles with a focus on defense and a still-undecided quarterback position, facing a challenging start against Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
• Virginia Tech, led by James Franklin in his first year, looks to improve from a poor 2025 season with a promising schedule early on and key transfers including quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and defensive coordinator Brent Pry returning.
• Penn State, under Matt Campbell, benefits from a favorable schedule and a roster featuring many former Iowa State players, including quarterback Rocco Becht, with hopes of contending for the Big Ten title.
• South Carolina seeks to reverse a disappointing 2025 season with quarterback LaNorris Sellers and an overhauled offensive line, relying on defensive talents like edge rusher Dylan Stewart to stabilize the team in a tough SEC environment.