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Articles by Max Chadwick
College Football Week 7: Preview and predictions for the five biggest games
Ohio State rematches with Indiana: The Hoosiers look to make it two straight victories over the Buckeyes after winning last year's Big Ten championship. Notre Dame faces BYU: The Fighting Irish head to Provo for a matchup between two unbeaten powerhouses. Missouri takes on Ole Miss: Austin Simmons duels with Trinidad Chambliss in a battle between potential first-round picks.
College Football Week 6: Preview and predictions for the five biggest games
UCLA–Oregon: The surging Bruins travel to Eugene to take on a top-15 Oregon squad. MONTHLY PFF Plus NEW – PRICE DROP! $9.99 per month, billed monthly What you unlock MOST FLEXIBLE PFF+ content and tools Articles, Fantasy tools, NFL and College tools, Betting Access to mock draft simulator Guru AI football chatbot insights with limited tokens Here are PFF’s previews for Week 6’s five biggest games.
College Football Week 5: Preview and predictions for the five biggest games
Ohio State and Iowa meet in Iowa City: Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith take the show on the road against a stingy Hawkeye defense. Two star quarterbacks duel in Starkville: Alabama‘s Keelon Russell takes on Mississippi State‘s Kamario Taylor in a battle between elite sophomores.
College Football Week 4: Preview and predictions for the five biggest games
Tennessee–Texas: The Longhorns and Volunteers meet in a top-15 showdown. Five other ranked matchups: There are six games between top-25 teams in Week 4, more than we’ve had all season to this point. Introducing the NEW PFF Pro subscription: PFF Pro includes everything in PFF+, plus an upgraded Premium Stats Pro experience, higher base access to Guru AI, revamped player and team pages, enhanced data and visualizations, an improved interface and programmatic data access for modeling.
College Football Week 3: Preview and predictions for the five biggest games
LSU–Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin makes his return to Oxford as Public Enemy No. 1 after a messy divorce last season. Houston–Texas Tech: The Cougars and Red Raiders try to establish themselves as the top team in the Big 12.
College Football: Week 2 preview and predictions for the five biggest games
Ohio State–Texas: The Buckeyes and Longhorns meet in what’s currently one of just two scheduled games between top-five teams all season. Oklahoma–Michigan: The Sooners and Wolverines collide in a massive showdown between playoff hopefuls.
College Football Week 1 Preview: LSU-Clemson, Ole Miss-Louisville headline first full week
Louisville looks to make a statement against Ole Miss: The Cardinals welcome in the Rebels in Week 1's only game between ranked teams. The Lane Kiffin era begins at LSU: The No. 11 Tigers play host to Clemson in a marquee showdown from Baton Rouge. Get more from PFF+ for less: PFF+ is now $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, with access to PFF+ content and tools, fantasy and betting resources, the Mock Draft Simulator and more — all at a new lower price.
College Football Week 0 Preview: TCU-North Carolina, NC State-Virginia among marquee matchups
North Carolina looks to rebound in Bill Belichick's second season: After going 4-8 in Year 1, Belichick hopes to right the Tar Heels against a sneaky TCU squad. Virginia battles NC State: The Cavaliers aim to continue their 2025 success, while CJ Bailey and the Wolfpack try to start 1-0. A big showdown in the Group of Six playoff race: Mountain West runner-up UNLV takes on Memphis, led by new head coach Charles Huff.
2026 College Football Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas begins a major rebuild: New head coach Ryan Silverfield brought in an SEC-high 42 transfers after the Razorbacks finished 2-10 in 2025. The run game offers reason for optimism: Braylen Russell averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry in his career, while Memphis transfer Sutton Smith rushed for 675 yards last season.
2026 College Football Preview: Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky rebuilt through the transfer portal: New head coach Will Stein added 31 transfers, including 13 projected starters, as he reshapes the Wildcats. The trenches headline Kentucky’s strengths: The Wildcats added four projected offensive line starters, including PFF’s No. 5 center, Coleton Price, while returning three defensive line starters.
2026 College Football Preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs
The secondary leads Mississippi State’s defense: Kelley Jones headlines a group reinforced by four transfers who started at their previous schools. The trenches present significant questions: Four starting offensive linemen from 2025 are gone, while the defensive line ranked outside the top 100 nationally in several PFF pass-rushing metrics. Kamario Taylor offers breakout potential: Taylor rushed for nearly 500 yards excluding sacks and forced 28 missed tackles on 74 carries in 2025.
2026 College Football Preview: Vanderbilt Commodores
Jared Curtis takes over at quarterback: The five-star freshman and Nashville native enters Vanderbilt as the No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2026 class. The offense retains plenty of potential: Vanderbilt returns its top two running backs and leading wide receiver Junior Sherrill after fielding the Power Four’s most efficient offense by EPA per play in 2025.
2026 College Football Preview: Auburn Tigers
Auburn’s offense gets a major overhaul: Ten of the Tigers’ 11 projected offensive starters arrived through the transfer portal as Alex Golesh begins his first season. Byrum Brown brings dual-threat production: Brown earned a 91.5 PFF grade in 2025 and has forced an FBS quarterback-leading 123 missed tackles since 2023. The offensive line is the biggest question: Auburn must replace all six offensive linemen who played at least 250 snaps last season.
2026 College Football Preview: South Carolina Gamecocks
Defensive line leads the way: South Carolina enters 2026 with PFF’s No. 9 defensive line, led by projected top-five 2027 NFL Draft pick Dylan Stewart. Offensive line faces a critical test: The Gamecocks ranked 116th nationally in PFF grade up front last season after LaNorris Sellers was sacked 40 times. LaNorris Sellers brings elite physical tools: Sellers has forced 88 missed tackles since the start of 2024, the most among Power Four quarterbacks.
2026 College Football Preview: Florida Gators
Skill-position talent leads the roster: Florida boasts PFF’s No. 4 running back unit and a receiving corps that ranks inside the top 15 nationally. The trenches remain the biggest concern: The Gators lost their three highest-graded starting offensive linemen, while the defensive line also enters 2026 with questions. Jadan Baugh headlines the offense: Baugh earned an 89.5 PFF rushing grade in 2025 and forced 65 missed tackles, the eighth-most in the nation.
2026 College Football Preview: Tennessee Volunteers
Linebacker is Tennessee’s biggest strength: The Volunteers enter 2026 with PFF’s No. 7 linebacker unit, led by Edwin Spillman, Amare Campbell, Jeremiah Telander and Arion Carter. The pass rush needs new contributors: Tennessee lost its top six players in pressures from 2025, leaving Jordan Norman as the only returning player who recorded more than 15 pressures last season.
2026 College Football Preview: Missouri Tigers
Missouri’s run game could be the best in the country: The Tigers feature PFF’s No. 1 running back in Ahmad Hardy, the No. 2 running back unit and the No. 6 offensive line nationally. Pass defense faces significant turnover: Missouri lost eight of the nine players who recorded at least 190 coverage snaps last season and six of its eight leaders in pressures.
2026 College Football Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama boasts an elite secondary: The Crimson Tide enter 2026 with PFF’s No. 2 secondary after ranking sixth nationally in PFF team coverage grade last season. The run game is the biggest concern: Alabama ranked outside the top 100 in the FBS in run rate, yards per carry and explosive run rate in 2025. Quarterback competition remains in focus: Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are battling for the starting job, with Russell appearing to have the upper hand coming out of spring practices.
2026 College Football Preview: Texas A&M Aggies
Offensive weapons remain a strength: Texas A&M boasts PFF’s No. 7 receiving corps and returns leading rusher Rueben Owens despite losing first-round receiver KC Concepcion. Offensive line turnover creates uncertainty: Four starters were selected in the NFL draft, leaving the Aggies to rebuild the unit with several experienced transfers.
2026 College Football Preview: Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s defense remains its biggest strength: The Sooners enter 2026 with PFF’s No. 5 linebacker unit, No. 10 defensive line and a top-15 secondary. John Mateer’s rebound could define the season: Mateer earned a 50.3 PFF grade from Week 7 onward after his performance declined following a throwing-hand injury. David Stone anchors an elite defense: The 315-pound defensive tackle posted an 80.7 PFF run-defense grade and a 13.0% run-stop rate last season.
2026 College Football Preview: LSU Tigers
Lane Kiffin inherits an offense with major upside: LSU features a top-10 quarterback in Sam Leavitt, PFF’s No. 6 receiving corps and the nation’s top-ranked tight end in Trey’Dez Green. Offensive line remains the biggest concern: LSU’s offensive line earned the seventh-worst PFF grade among Power Four units last season despite adding one of college football’s premier pass protectors in Jordan Seaton for 2026.
2026 College Football Preview: Ole Miss Rebels
College football’s best backfield leads the way: Ole Miss pairs PFF’s No. 4 quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, with No. 2 running back Kewan Lacy entering 2026. Offensive line remains the biggest concern: The Rebels lost both starting tackles to the NFL, while all three returning interior starters earned PFF grades below 65.0 last season. Kewan Lacy returns after a massive 2025 season: Lacy led the FBS with 307 rushing attempts and all Power Four running backs with 24 rushing touchdowns.
2026 College Football Preview: Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia’s defense is loaded in the back seven: The Bulldogs feature PFF’s No. 3 linebacker unit and a top-five secondary, led by Chris Cole, Raylen Wilson, Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden. Pass-catcher turnover creates the biggest concern: Six of Georgia’s seven leading receivers from last season are gone, leaving significant uncertainty at wide receiver. KJ Bolden anchors the secondary: His 90.7 PFF grade since the start of 2024 ranks second among returning safeties entering the 2026 season.
2026 College Football Preview: Texas Longhorns
Elite talent across the roster: Texas is the only program with a top-10 unit at every position group and enters 2026 with a top-five offense and defense. Arch Manning finished 2025 on a high note: The Texas quarterback earned an 89.5 PFF grade from Week 9 onward, the sixth-best mark in the nation. Run game additions could provide a boost: Raleek Brown posted an 88.0 rushing grade in 2025, while Hollywood Smothers recorded 24 explosive runs.
College Football: Top 10 running back units heading into the 2026 season
Texas Tech takes the top spot: Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams return after productive 2025 seasons, while Quinten Joyner’s return from injury gives the Red Raiders three proven options. Missouri boasts the nation’s top running back: Ahmad Hardy leads the Tigers’ No. 2-ranked backfield after pacing the country with 1,181 yards after contact as a sophomore. Last Chance! The PFF Early Bird Sale Ends Aug. 17: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year.
College Football: Top 10 quarterback rooms heading into the 2026 season
Oregon has the best quarterback room in the country: Dante Moore is a top-three quarterback in the nation, while Dylan Raiola is the best backup in college football. Ohio State comes in second: Julian Sayin is back after being a Heisman finalist, and Tavien St. Clair was a top-five recruit in the 2025 class. The PFF Early Bird Sale Is Here: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year. We’re a few weeks away from the 2026 college football season.
College Football: Top-10 returning safeties for the 2026 season
KJ Bolden is the top safety in America: The Georgia star is the new best safety in college football. Alabama has two star safeties in the top 10: The Crimson Tide have the best safety duo in the nation with Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. The PFF Early Bird Sale Is Here: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year. We're a few weeks away from the start of the 2026 college football season. With that, it's time to wrap up our series ranking the top 10 players at every position.
College Football: Top-10 returning cornerbacks for the 2026 season
Leonard Moore is the clear No. 1: The Notre Dame superstar is the best defensive player in college football. A couple of true sophomores round out the top three: Dijon Lee Jr. (Alabama) and Brandon Finney Jr. (Oregon) are rising stars at the position. The PFF Early Bird Sale Is Here: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year. We're about a month away from the start of the 2026 college football season.
College Football: Top-10 returning linebackers for the 2026 season
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa leads the way: The Notre Dame junior is the best returning linebacker in college football. Texas Tech has three players in the top 10: Amazingly, the Red Raiders field three of the top-10 linebackers in college football. The PFF Early Bird Sale Is Here: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year. We're about a month away from the start of the 2026 college football season.
PFF Tackle Rankings: The top 32 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season
Penei Sewell leads the group: The Lions star and three-time All-Pro remains the foremost tackle in the NFL. The Eagles‘ duo ranks in the top six: Both Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson have shown no signs of slowing down. Former first-round picks showing their potential: Despite being only second-year tackles, the Saints‘ Kelvin Banks Jr. and Jets' Armand Membou find themselves in this elite company.
PFF Tight End Rankings: The top 32 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season
George Kittle stays on top: Although Kittle is older and coming off a season-ending injury, he's still the best in the NFL. Colston Loveland cracks the top five: Loveland produced the third-highest overall PFF grade in only his rookie season. The Steelers have two weapons in Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington: The complementary tight ends both find their names on the list.
PFF Wide Receiver Rankings: The top 32 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season
Puka Nacua claims the No. 1 spot: The Rams star leads the NFL with 3.19 yards per route run since entering the league and earned a position-leading 96.1 PFF grade in 2025. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vaults into the elite tier: After leading the NFL in receiving yards and winning Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba ranks second entering 2026 ahead of established stars Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase.
PFF Running Back Rankings: Assessing all 32 starters ahead of the 2026 NFL season
Bijan Robinson leads the way: Robinson has been the league's most valuable back by PFF WAR since 2024. Legendary veterans are still going strong: Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey both crack the top four thanks to their longevity, whether as a rusher or receiver. Jeremiyah Love makes the top 25: This year's third overall pick will be in the spotlight early in Arizona.
PFF Quarterback Rankings: All 32 starters ahead of the 2026 NFL season
Josh Allen tops PFF's 2026 quarterback rankings: Allen leads a tightly contested top tier that also features Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes entering the new season. Matthew Stafford rounds out the elite group: The reigning MVP sits fifth after leading the NFL in both PFF passing grade and Wins Above Replacement in 2025.
PFF College 50: The 50 best players in college football ahead of the 2026 season
The PFF College 50 returns for 2026: The rankings identify the nation's 50 best players using PFF grades, advanced data and future projection rather than traditional statistics alone. The rankings will roll out throughout the week: Players are unveiled in groups of 10, with the top 10 scheduled to be revealed on Friday, July 3.
College Football: Top 10 returning edge defenders for the 2026 season
Colin Simmons is once again at the top: The Texas star has led this list in back-to-back seasons, the first edge defender to do so in the PFF College era. Oregon has two in the top 10: The Ducks have two top-10 edge defenders — Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagelelei — giving them arguably the best defensive line in college football 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
College Football: Top-10 returning interior defenders for the 2026 season
A.J. Holmes Jr. tops the list: The Texas Tech star was arguably the best defensive tackle from the 2025 season. Three schools have multiple players mentioned: Texas Tech, Oregon and Miami (FL) each have two interior defenders on this list. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes The 2026 college football offseason is in full swing.
College Football: Top-10 returning centers for the 2026 season
Justin Evans tops the list: The Nebraska center was the most valuable Power Four center in 2025, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average metric. Iapani Laloulu comes in second: The Oregon center has been in the top three of this list in back-to-back years. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
College Football: Top-10 returning offensive guards for the 2026 season
Kade Pieper tops the list: Iowa’s right guard has an elite 90.3 PFF grade over the last two seasons. Evan Tengesdahl comes in second: Cincinnati’s star left guard led the Power Four with an 89.7 run-blocking grade in 2025. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated reading time: 12 minutes The 2026 college football offseason is in full swing.
College Football: Top-10 returning offensive tackles for the 2026 season
Carter Smith leads the list: The recent national champion has been in the top-10 of this list in back-to-back years. Jordan Seaton comes in fifth: LSU’s newest left tackle may be the best pass protector in America. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated reading time: 12 minutes The 2026 college football offseason is in full swing.
Three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders load up after Maxx Crosby trade, Jeremiyah Love falls to Saints
The Maxx Crosby trade shakes things up: The Raiders draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a weapon for him to throw to, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, after acquiring the Ravens' No. 14 overall pick. Makai Lemon could catch passes from Patrick Mahomes: The USC wideout goes ninth overall to the Chiefs in this mock draft, boosting a lackluster Kansas City pass-catching corps.
College Football: Top-10 returning tight ends for the 2026 season
Trey’Dez Green places first: The freak athlete from LSU is our top returning tight end for the 2026 season. Terrance Carter Jr. is second: The Texas Tech star led all tight ends in college football with 23 forced missed tackles in 2025. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated reading time: 12 minutes The 2026 college football offseason is in full swing.
2026 NFL Scouting Combine: Five takeaways from interviews with general managers and head coaches
The Raiders expect Maxx Crosby back: General manager John Spytek said he expects his star pass-rusher back in Las Vegas despite trade rumors. Breece Hall will likely remain with the Jets: General manager Darren Mougey confirmed the team will tag its star running back if they can’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
College Football: Top-10 returning running backs for the 2026 season
Ahmad Hardy tops the list: The Missouri star led the FBS with 1,181 rushing yards after contact as just a true sophomore. Kewan Lacy is second: The Ole Miss star paced the Power Four with 24 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated reading time: 8 minutes The 2026 college football offseason is in full swing.
College Football: The top-10 returning quarterbacks for the 2026 season
Julian Sayin tops the list: Ohio State’s star quarterback is the only 2025 Heisman finalist returning to school. Dante Moore and Arch Manning round out the top three: Despite being projected first-round picks in 2026, both Moore and Manning decided to return to school. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Predicting every Power Four school’s next quarterback for the 2026 season
Thirty-eight new starters in the Power Four: Over half of the projected starting quarterbacks in the Power Four are new starters for their respective programs. Thirty-four of the projected new starters are transfers: Half of the Power Four programs went into the transfer portal to find their next quarterback. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Predicting every SEC team’s next quarterback for the 2026 season
Arch Manning is back for another season: The Texas quarterback enters 2026 as a top-three quarterback in the sport. Potentially 10 new starters in the conference: The SEC could have 10 new starting quarterbacks in 2026. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Predicting every SEC team’s next quarterback for the 2026 season
With two new silvers in Milan, Gu’s now the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history - and she's pushing back against criticism and online vitriol.
Predicting every Big Ten team’s next quarterback for the 2026 season
The two best quarterbacks in the country: The Big Ten is home to the two best quarterbacks in college football in Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Oregon’s Dante Moore. Eight new starters: The conference will have eight new starting quarterbacks in the 2026 season. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Predicting every Big 12 team’s next quarterback for the 2026 season
10 new starters in the conference: The Big 12 only has six returning starting quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season. Brendan Sorsby is the headliner: The former Cincinnati quarterback will try to lead Texas Tech to its second-straight Big 12 championship. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
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