Daily News 19

Tag: 2026 college football season

  • Arch Manning Upsets Texas Teammate for a Shocking Reason

    Arch Manning Upsets Texas Teammate for a Shocking Reason

    Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Alex January did not hold back when discussing quarterback Arch Manning during a joint press conference, explaining why he considers the superstar “annoying.”

    Manning, a Heisman Trophy nominee before the start of the college football regular season, appeared to agree with January’s assessment. However, he offered an explanation for why he might come across that way.

    Arch Manning prepares for another Texas season

    The Longhorns began last season as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team. Texas will open its 2026 campaign at home against Texas State in a matchup the Longhorns are expected to win comfortably.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Oklahoma’s John Mateer Aims to Prove Doubters Wrong in 2026

    Oklahoma’s John Mateer Aims to Prove Doubters Wrong in 2026

    The Oklahoma Sooners are one week away from beginning the 2026 college football season, with a College Football Playoff berth among their goals. After a season that generated considerable momentum, Oklahoma enters the new campaign with plenty to prove—particularly at quarterback.

    John Mateer remains Oklahoma’s biggest question

    John Mateer is among the Sooners hoping to silence his critics. He passed for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, producing a campaign defined by significant highs and lows.

    Mateer opened the year as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but his uneven finish led to questions about whether he can lead Oklahoma over the top in the Southeastern Conference.

    ESPN writer Dan Wetzel remains high on the Sooners and has even selected them to win the SEC. However, he acknowledged that Mateer still has more to prove.

    “I really like the Sooners,” Wetzel said via the ‘College GameDay Podcast.’ “I think I picked them to win the SEC. I don’t know if John Mateer… like, I got to see more.”

    Wetzel’s assessment is notable because his uncertainty about Mateer has not kept him from choosing Oklahoma as his SEC champion. His prediction suggests he believes the Sooners have enough talent around their quarterback to compete for the conference title, even if Mateer must take another step forward.

    Oklahoma’s SEC ceiling depends on offensive consistency

    Oklahoma’s defense should once again provide a strong foundation, but the offense will need to become more consistent. Mateer’s performance will be central to that improvement after his uneven 2025 season.

    The Sooners have enough talent to be taken seriously in the SEC, and Wetzel’s conference prediction highlights their potential. The remaining question is whether Mateer can provide the stability Oklahoma needs to turn that potential into a College Football Playoff-caliber season.

    Oklahoma’s fall camp has featured quarterback John Mateer, tight ends coach Jason Witten and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, along with players including Bishop Thomas, Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, E’Marion Harris, Darius Afalava, Jacob Jordan, Ace Hodges, Gunnar Allen, Ryan Fodje, Caleb Nitta, Kenny Ozowalu, Jett Niu, Jonathan Hatton Jr., Xavier Robinson and DeZephen Walker.

    Follow @SoonersWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like the publication’s page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. Jaron can also be followed on X at @jaronspor.

  • Ohio State Begins Its 137th Season Saturday Against Ball State

    Ohio State Begins Its 137th Season Saturday Against Ball State

    Ohio State opens its 2026 football season today against Ball State in a nonconference matchup at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

    The 2026 season will be the 137th in Ohio State football history.

    Ohio State vs. Ball State: Key Facts

    • Ohio State has won 26 consecutive season openers, the longest active streak in the country.
    • The Buckeyes are 487-115-20 all-time at Ohio Stadium, which begins its 104th season as Ohio State’s home in 2026.
    • Ryan Day’s teams are 24-1 in September and 19-1 in regular-season nonconference games.
    • The game against Ball State will be Day’s 31st against a non-Big Ten opponent as Ohio State’s head coach, including wins over Oregon State and TCU as acting head coach in 2018.

    Day’s Buckeyes are 24-6 in their previous 30 games against non-Big Ten opponents and have averaged 41.7 points per game. Those 24 wins include seven against teams ranked in the top 10: No. 1 Texas in 2025, No. 3 Clemson in 2020, No. 5 Texas in 2024, No. 5 Notre Dame in 2022, No. 7 Notre Dame in 2024, No. 9 Tennessee in 2024 and No. 9 Notre Dame in 2023.

    Ohio State is 8-0 in season-opening games under Day, with an average margin of victory of 25.4 points per game.

    Ohio State and Ball State Meet for the First Time

    The Buckeyes and Cardinals will meet for the first time in program history.

    Ohio State is 39-1 all-time against current members of the Mid-American Conference and enters the game riding a 36-game unbeaten streak against MAC teams.

    Ohio State’s 2025 Season in Review

    Ohio State had one of the most dominant scoring defenses in college football last season, allowing 9.3 points per game in 2025. That figure was the third-fewest in the BCS and College Football Playoff era, which dates to 1999. Ohio State was also one of only five FBS defenses across those eras to allow fewer than 10 points per game.

    The Buckeyes allowed 129.7 passing yards per game in 2025, the second-fewest by any FBS team in the College Football Playoff era and the lowest total by any team since 2014.

    Ohio State ranked No. 1 or No. 2 nationally in nine categories, including No. 1 in scoring defense at 9.3 points per game, total defense at 219.1 yards per game, passing defense at 129.7 yards per game, first-down defense at 184, red-zone scoring defense at 66.67 percent and fewest plays of 10 or more yards allowed at 90.

    Jeremiah Smith has already set more than a handful of Ohio State records. He became the fastest Buckeye to reach 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, 1,500 receiving yards, 2,000 receiving yards and 25 touchdown receptions.

    Julian became a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the nation with a 77.0 percent completion rate. He ranked second nationally in efficiency at 177.5 after throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, the fourth-most in the country, with only eight interceptions.

    Julian’s 77.0 percent completion rate in 2025 was the best single-season mark in Ohio State history, a Big Ten record and the third-highest mark in FBS history. Bo Nix completed 77.4 percent of his passes at Oregon in 2023, while Mac Jones posted the same percentage at Alabama in 2020.

    Bo Jackson was one of three true freshmen to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season, joining Caleb Hawkins of North Texas and Nate Sheppard of Duke. Jackson became the fifth Ohio State true freshman to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season, following Robert Smith with 1,126 yards in 1990, Maurice Clarett with 1,237 yards in 2002, JK Dobbins with 1,403 yards in 2017 and TreVeyon Henderson with 1,248 yards in 2021.

    Ball State Cardinals Preview

    Ball State finished the 2025 season with a 4-8 record, including a 3-5 mark in MAC play.

    Cardinals head coach Mike Uremovich is entering his second season at Ball State. He previously served as Butler’s head coach from 2022 through 2024, compiling a 23-11 record.

    Ball State enters the 2026 season with 11 players from Ohio on its roster, including Ohio State transfer defensive back Diante Griffin.

    The Cardinals have 19 transfers on their roster who last played at Power Four schools, including five transfers from the Big Ten.

    Ball State is replacing starting quarterback Kiael Kelly, who led the Cardinals in both passing and rushing in 2025. The likely Week 1 starter is redshirt junior Keldric Luster, who transferred from Texas State after previously playing at SMU.

    Over his previous three years in college, Luster played in nine games, completing 4 of 12 passes for 37 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also recorded 16 carries for 76 yards.

    Ball State returns three of its top four running backs from last season. Redshirt junior TJ Horton leads the group after rushing for 180 yards on 60 carries in 2025.

    On defense, the Cardinals return three starters from last season: defensive tackle Ameir Glenn, cornerback Willizhuan Yates and safety DJ Fields.

    Ohio State 2026 Football Schedule

    Date Opponent Time
    Sept. 5 Ball State 12:30 p.m.
    Sept. 12 at Texas 7:30 p.m.
    Sept. 19 Kent State 12:00 p.m.
    Sept. 26 Illinois TBA
    Oct. 3 at Iowa TBA
    Oct. 10 Maryland TBA
    Oct. 17 at Indiana TBA
    Oct. 31 at USC TBA
    Nov. 7 Oregon TBA
    Nov. 14 Northwestern TBA
    Nov. 21 at Nebraska TBA
    Nov. 28 Michigan 12:00 p.m.

    Source: ohiostatebuckeyes.com

  • College Football Is Back: Watch This Season’s Top Standouts Show Fans How to Tune In on Their Terms

    College Football Is Back: Watch This Season’s Top Standouts Show Fans How to Tune In on Their Terms

    Sling TV has released the full collection of athlete-led videos from its “Watch Football on YOUR Terms” campaign, featuring nine college football players and highlighting flexible ways for fans to watch the 2026 season.

    Although the opening weekend of college football has concluded, Sling says the campaign is designed to remind fans that the season is just beginning—and that they can choose how, where and when to follow the action.

    Nine college football stars headline Sling campaign

    The campaign features nine standout players, each sharing their personality, perspective and approach to football. In a series of custom videos, the athletes demonstrate what it means to play with confidence and on their own terms while showing how Sling provides flexible and affordable access to the matchups fans want.

    “College football kickoff was just the opening drive – and we understand that every fan follows the college football season differently,” said Seth Van Sickel, SVP, Video and Streaming Services. “This campaign puts a spotlight on these incredible players while proving that with Sling fans are in total control of how, where, and when they experience every big play.”

    The “Watch on YOUR Terms” player roster represents Sling’s largest NIL program to date. The content ranges from the “Sling the Rock Challenge,” in which quarterbacks attempt to hit targets from 15, 25 and 50 yards, to more personal interview-style videos focused on how the players play and watch the game.

    • Darian Mensah, quarterback at the University of Miami | WATCH VIDEO
    • LaNorris Sellers, quarterback at the University of South Carolina | WATCH VIDEO
    • Kevin Jennings, quarterback at SMU | WATCH VIDEO
    • Beau Pribula, quarterback at the University of Virginia | WATCH VIDEO
    • Bear Bachmeier, quarterback at Brigham Young University | WATCH VIDEO
    • Kenny Minchey, quarterback at the University of Kentucky | WATCH VIDEO
    • Faizon Brandon, quarterback at the University of Tennessee | WATCH VIDEO
    • Peyton Bowen, safety at the University of Oklahoma | WATCH VIDEO
    • Eli Bowen, cornerback at the University of Oklahoma | WATCH VIDEO

    Flexible Sling options for watching college football

    Fans can choose between watching a single marquee matchup, following a full weekend of games or accessing college football throughout the season. Sling’s available options include:

    • Flexible Passes: One-, three- or seven-day passes starting at $4.99.
    • Monthly Plans: Football viewing options starting at $19.99.
    • Football Season Pass: A five-month plan starting at $199.99.

    For more information about Sling’s 2026 college football offerings, visit www.sling.com/sports/football/college-football/college-sports-company.

    About Sling TV

    Sling TV is an Emmy® Award-winning live streaming television service offering more than 700 channels from popular networks through its general-market, Latino and international services. The service is available on major streaming devices, smart televisions, tablets, game consoles, computers and smartphones.

    Sling TV’s two general-market services, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, collectively offer content from Disney/ESPN, FOX, NBC, AMC, A&E, AXS, Discovery, Scripps, Turner, Viacom, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, GSN, Hallmark, SHOWTIME, STARZ and MGM+.

    Customers can also access free content through Sling Freestream, as well as à la carte channels and services, pay-per-view events and on-demand movies. Sling provides stand-alone and add-on Spanish-language services and packages for English-dominant, bilingual and Spanish-dominant U.S. households.

    Sling TV is the leading U.S. provider of foreign-language programming, offering more than 400 channels in 27 languages. Visit sling.com for more information. Sling TV L.L.C. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: ECHO).

    Contact: news@sling.com

    View the photo accompanying this announcement.