10 College Football Teams Under the Most Pressure Entering Spring Practice for 2026
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Spring practice is the first look at the roster and projected depth chart for all 138 college football teams. And with every program sitting with a record of 0-0, optimism is high for every FBS team right now. However, even though kickoff is still months away, the level of pressure facing teams in spring ball is certainly different.
For programs like Alabama, USC, and Clemson, the push to improve or pressure to return to the College Football Playoff is high. For different reasons, the pressure is at an all-time high for Florida State, North Carolina, and Colorado. Can the Buffaloes and Tar Heels return to the postseason after a disappointing ‘25 campaign? And for the Seminoles, did coach Mike Norvell do enough in the transfer portal to turn this program around after back-to-back losing seasons? With quarterback Dante Moore returning, coach Dan Lanning has plenty of pressure on his shoulders to deliver a national title to Oregon.
Which college football teams are under the most pressure to find the right answers on the depth chart this spring? Athlon Sports breaks down 10 teams under pressure:
10 College Football Teams Under the Most Pressure Entering Spring Practice for 2026
Alabama
Returning Starters: Offense: 1, Defense: 4
Why Alabama is Under Pressure: The Crimson Tide have more question marks this spring than in previous years for a critical third season under coach Kalen DeBoer. With just five starters back, can Alabama reload for another run at the SEC title and College Football Playoff?
Key Spring Question Marks: The quarterback battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack is the headliner, but DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb should develop one player into a high-level SEC signal-caller in ‘26. The greatest concerns revolve around a revamped offensive line and a rushing attack that struggled mightily last year.
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 7 in the SEC | No. 15 in the pre-spring Top 25
Related: Predicting the Winner of College Football’s Top QB Battles in 2026
Clemson
Returning Starters: Offense: 5, Defense: 3
Why Clemson is Under Pressure: The Tigers were one of college football’s biggest disappointments in ‘25. After preseason playoff expectations, Clemson slumped to a 7-6 finish. This spring is all about coach Dabo Swinney getting the program back on track.
Key Spring Question Marks: Is Christopher Vizzina the right answer at quarterback to replace Cade Klubnik? How will the offense perform overall under new coordinator Chad Morris? Just three starters are back on defense for play-caller Tom Allen. Every level will require some spring retooling.
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 4 in the ACC
Colorado
Returning Starters: Offense: 4, Defense: 0
Why Colorado is Under Pressure: Can coach Deion Sanders get this program back on track after a 4-8 record in ‘25? Last year’s four-win season marked a massive regression from the ‘24 success (9-4). The Buffaloes significantly turned over the roster this offseason. This spring is the first chance to see how all of the new pieces are fitting into place.
Key Spring Question Marks: The concerns and question marks for both sides of the ball are numerous this spring. New offensive play-caller Brennan Marion brings the innovative Go-Go offense to Boulder, with promising redshirt freshman Julian Lewis leading the attack. Can the Marion-Lewis pairing take off this spring? Can the Buffaloes find all of the right pieces around Lewis? The defense is also in transition under new coordinator Chris Marve.
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 14 in the Big 12
Related: Pre-Spring Big 12 Quarterback Rankings for 2026
Florida State
Returning Starters: Offense: 2, Defense: 4
Why Florida State is Under Pressure: After back-to-back losing records, it’s a make-or-break year for coach Mike Norvell. Did the Seminoles do enough in the transfer portal to get back to a bowl and a winning record? If not, Florida State is likely starting over with a new coaching staff next spring.
Key Spring Question Marks: The question marks are numerous. Will the offense take off under transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels? This unit also needs more playmakers to support receiver Duce Robinson and must navigate a revamped offensive line. Defense is also under the microscope with holes to fill at every level and concerns up front.
Pre-Spring Prediction:No. 10 in the ACC
LSU
Returning Starters: Offense: 3, Defense: 3
Why LSU is Under Pressure: Change is the biggest storyline in Baton Rouge. The Bayou Bengals made a high-profile coaching move to lure Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. Also, the Tigers spent big on roster retention and in the transfer portal to give Kiffin all of the talent he needs to win right away. Kiffin isn’t being paid to simply get LSU to nine victories. The expectation is to contend for the SEC Championship and make a deep playoff run.
Key Spring Question Marks: How will all of the new pieces fit? LSU brought in 40 transfers, including standouts in quarterback Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), offensive tackle (Jordan Seaton), edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, and linebacker T.J. Dottery (Ole Miss). Did Kiffin bring in the right pieces to fix a struggling offense and restock the defense?
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 4 in the SEC | No. 10 in the pre-spring Top 25
Related: Grading College Football’s New Coaching Hires for 2026
Nebraska
Returning Starters: Offense: 6, Defense: 6
Why Nebraska is Under Pressure: Can coach Matt Rhule’s team take the next step? After a 5-7 debut under Rhule in 2023, the Cornhuskers have won seven games in back-to-back seasons. That’s a step forward, but Nebraska is still a step behind the Big Ten’s best. Will this spring provide the right answers to help the Cornhuskers return to the top 25?
Key Spring Question Marks: How do all of the pieces fit into place on offense? Rhule and coordinator Dana Holgorsen must find a new go-to running back after Emmett Johnson departed to the NFL. Anthony Colandrea and TJ Lateef are battling for the starting quarterback spot, with Colandrea the heavy favorite to take the first snap in ‘26. The defense is also undergoing an offseason transition after Rhule hired Rob Aurich away from San Diego State to coordinate this unit.
Pre-Spring Prediction:No. 11 in the Big Ten
North Carolina
Returning Starters: Offense: 2, Defense: 3
Why North Carolina is Under Pressure: A transition period from the NFL sidelines to college was expected to take some time for coach Bill Belichick. However, last year’s 4-8 record was a massive disappointment. Constant drama followed Belichick, and the Tar Heels struggled mightily on offense on a unit of the staff’s hand-picked talent.
Key Spring Question Marks: Where do we start? New coordinator Bobby Petrino should bring much-needed improvement to the offense. But what’s the ceiling on a group featuring Wisconsin transfer quarterback Billy Edwards and question marks along the offensive line. Will the Tar Heels continue to progress on defense in Belichick’s second season?
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 14 in the ACC
Oregon
Returning Starters: Offense: 7, Defense: 8
Why Oregon is Under Pressure: High expectations. With quarterback Dante Moore and defenders Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, and A’Mauri Washington passing on the NFL for another year in Eugene, Oregon is among college football’s favorites to win the national title. All of the pieces are in place for coach Dan Lanning’s team to become the next program from the Big Ten to win a national title.
Key Spring Question Marks: Can the Ducks reach their potential and bring home a national championship? That process starts this spring, as Lanning has new coordinators on both sides of the ball, is breaking in a couple of new offensive line starters, and has a few holes to plug on defense.
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 3 in the Big Ten | No. 6 in the pre-spring Top 25
Texas
Returning Starters: Offense: 6, Defense: 5
Why Texas is Under Pressure: The Longhorns fell short of preseason expectations last season but still finished 10-3 and No. 12 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. This spring is all about coach Steve Sarkisian pushing the right buttons to get Texas back in the playoff and in contention for the national title.
Key Spring Question Marks: The offensive line. This group struggled in ‘25, leading to a sluggish ground attack and too much pressure on quarterback Arch Manning. Can Sarkisian and line coach Kyle Flood find the right mix and elevate the overall performance of this group? New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has holes to fill at every level and the overall transition to a new scheme to navigate.
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 2 in the SEC; No. 3 in Top 25
USC
Returning Starters: Offense: 9, Defense: 5
Why USC is Under Pressure: The ‘26 season marks coach Lincoln Riley’s fifth year in charge. USC won 11 games in his debut but has yet to get back to double-digit victories and has zero playoff appearances under his watch. Can the Trojans take the next step?
Key Spring Question Marks: Scoring points won’t be a problem with nine starters – including quarterback Jayden Maiava – back on offense. Restocking a receiving corps losing Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane is a priority this spring. However, the team’s biggest concern remains on defense. Can new coordinator Gary Patterson help this group show marked improvement?
Pre-Spring Prediction: No. 5 in the Big Ten | No. 14 in pre-spring Top 25
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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