RJ Young Picks 4 Power 4 Champions for 2026, Calling It College Football's Most Competitive Season
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 27
RJ Young Picks 4 Power 4 Champions for 2026, Calling It College Football's Most Competitive Season
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 27
Summary
FOX Sports analyst RJ Young projected Miami, Texas Tech, Ohio State and Georgia to win the 4 Power 4 conferences ahead of the 2026 college football season.
Young based the picks on returning production, coaching, schedule strength and roster talent, while arguing 2026 could be the sport's most competitive year after an offseason of eligibility fights and playoff-expansion talk.
Miami got the ACC nod on superior firepower and a favorable schedule, though Young noted the Hurricanes still must replace major production on both lines and have never won the league since joining in 2004.
Texas Tech was his Big 12 choice despite the Brendan Sorsby setback, with Ohio State edging Indiana and Oregon in the Big Ten on roster depth, while Georgia remained his SEC pick over Texas because of Kirby Smart's track record.