One week out from the start of college football’s 2026–27 season, the sport is already packed with changes, quirks, and unresolved questions from the offseason.
The NCAA has been unable to enforce rules around eligibility and player compensation due to a string of lawsuits, with no clarity in sight. Meanwhile, the seismic round of realignment due to the rebuilding of the Pac-12 in 2024, as well as the equally earth-shattering coaching carousel from 2025, have created an entirely new landscape of staff and conference makeup. Plus, there’s a new in-game accessory for many schools: multimillion-dollar jersey patch deals.
There’s lots to look out for ahead of Week 0, with storylines that are shaping the sport on the field and off.
Ongoing Eligibility Drama
This summer, the NCAA adopted a new “age-based” eligibility policy allowing players five years to complete five seasons (up from four) starting on their 19th birthday or when they begin college, whichever comes first. The goal: Standardize eligibility rules so that the flood of lawsuits set off in 2024 would stop.
