CBS Sports' 10 Wrongest 2026 Preseason Predictions — SkimNews
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- CBS Sports staff released preseason power-conference predictions in July and August, then revisited the 10 most egregious picks at the 2026 season's halfway point after five of the AP Top 25's top seven teams lost in the same week — the first time that's happened.
- Michigan was predicted to average more than 35 points per game but is actually averaging 22.7 (105th nationally), prompting a quarterback switch from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr in a win over Penn State.
- Oregon, picked by multiple CBS writers to win the national championship behind QB Dante Moore, WR Evan Stewart and DL Matayo Uiagalelei, is 4-2 after a road loss at Oklahoma State, with Moore sidelined by a concussion and backup Dylan Raiola finishing the Nebraska win off the bench.
- Texas, tabbed as 'a team built to win in January' with Arch Manning and 'game-changers everywhere,' has back-to-back losses, with Manning ranking ninth in the SEC in passer rating (145.2), absorbing five sacks in a home loss to unranked Florida, and the Longhorns 102nd nationally in rushing (135 yards per game).
- Utah, called the most overrated team in the country due to first-year coach Morgan Scalley replacing much of its trenches, is instead one of six remaining undefeated FBS teams and hosts one-loss Houston in what the article calls Week 8's biggest game.
- Maryland, predicted by two CBS writers as the Big Ten's most underrated team, is 2-5 and 83rd in total defense; head coach Mike Locksley (2-20 vs. Big Ten opponents since 2024) fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday.
- Jeremiah Smith was left off every CBS Sports Heisman ballot — all five picks were quarterbacks — yet the Ohio State receiver is the overwhelming midseason favorite, having tied the Big Ten career receiving-touchdown record (39) and posted 984 yards and 12 TDs, both second nationally.
Why it matters: That five of the AP's top seven teams lost in a single week — an industry first — exposes how little preseason forecasting can absorb mid-year shocks, and the fallout is concrete: blue-blood title picks Oregon and Texas are now scrambling, Michigan's offense has cratered to 105th nationally, and the Heisman race is being led by a player every CBS expert ignored. For bettors, playoff modelers and media outlets, this single 2026 season is a credibility problem in real time.
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