College Football Week 26: A Look Ahead

Week 26 of the college football season doesn’t exist in the traditional sense. The regular season typically wraps up around Week 13 or 14, followed by conference championship games, bowl games, and the College Football Playoff extending into the new year. So, what could a hypothetical “Week 26” look like if college football extended that far? Let’s imagine. **The Landscape:** By a theoretical Week 26, we’d be deep into the postseason. The National Championship game would have already been played, crowning the king of college football. The focus would likely shift towards: * **Coaching Carousel Aftermath:** Any significant coaching changes resulting from the season’s performance, firings, or retirements would be finalized. The coaching carousel would be winding down, with new hires settling into their roles, already strategizing for the upcoming recruiting cycles and spring practices. Analysis of these hires and their potential impact on programs would be rampant. * **Recruiting Buzz:** The late signing period (if it existed in this prolonged season) would be in full swing. Programs would be vying for the remaining coveted recruits, hoping to secure future talent for their rosters. Focus would be on the underclassmen and future recruiting. * **NFL Draft Preparation:** Players declaring for the NFL Draft would be intensely preparing for the combine and individual team workouts. Mock drafts and prospect evaluations would dominate sports media. There’d be widespread discussion about who will be the top picks and which college stars will make an immediate impact at the professional level. * **Rule Changes & Offseason Analysis:** The NCAA might be considering or implementing new rule changes based on the past season’s trends. In-depth analysis of the entire season, identifying key storylines, breakout players, and areas for improvement across the sport, would still be prevalent. * **Early Glimpse at Next Season:** While the current season is fresh in everyone’s minds, conversations about potential contenders and early projections for the following year would start to emerge. Speculation about returning stars, transfer portal additions, and coaching adjustments would fuel anticipation for the next kickoff. In essence, a hypothetical Week 26 would be a period of reflection, evaluation, and preparation for the next chapter of college football. It’s a time to dissect the past season’s successes and failures while laying the groundwork for future gridiron glory.