Analysis of 2026 College Football Predictions and Coaching Changes in the Big 12 and Big Ten
2026年大學美式足球預測與 Big 12 及 Big Ten 教練變動分析
Introduction
The start of the 2026 college football season is marked by major coaching changes and different performance predictions for the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences.
2026年大學美式足球賽季的開始，以 Big 12 與 Big Ten 聯盟重大的教練變動以及不同的表現預測為標誌。
Main Body
In the Big 12, the University of Utah has a new leader after Kyle Whittingham left for the University of Michigan. Head coach Morgan Scalley has taken over and introduced a new cultural approach focused on being aggressive and smart. To keep the offense consistent, Scalley hired Kevin McGiven as offensive coordinator. McGiven has combined old strategies with a flexible new system to help quarterback Devon Dampier. Although the team lost five starting offensive linemen to graduation or the NFL, Scalley remains confident in his current players. Meanwhile, experts predict that Texas Tech and BYU are the top candidates for the title, while the University of Houston could surprise everyone due to their strong returning players and an easier schedule.
在 Big 12 聯盟中，自從 Kyle Whittingham 轉任密西根大學後，猶他大學迎來了新領導者。總教練 Morgan Scalley 接手並引入了一套專注於積極與聰明的新文化方針。為了保持進攻的穩定性，Scalley 聘請了 Kevin McGiven 擔任進攻協調員。McGiven 將舊有策略與靈活的新系統相結合，以協助四分衛 Devon Dampier。儘管球隊有五名先發進攻線球員因畢業或進入 NFL 而離隊，Scalley 對目前的球員仍充滿信心。同時，專家預測德州理工大學與楊積謀大學是奪冠的首選候選者，而休士頓大學則因其強大的回歸球員和較輕鬆的賽程，可能會給所有人帶來驚喜。
In the Big Ten, the situation varies between stability and change. According to CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford, the University of Oregon is expected to finish 11-1 and win the conference championship because they have a very deep roster. On the other hand, the University of Michigan is starting a transition period under Kyle Whittingham. Predictions suggest they will finish 8-4, as a difficult schedule might prevent them from reaching the playoffs. Similarly, the University of Washington is projected to go 9-3, depending largely on how quarterback Demond Williams Jr. performs in tough away games. At UCLA, coach Bob Chesney is expected to achieve a 7-5 record, which would show the program is becoming stable. Finally, Nebraska is forecasted to finish 6-6, showing that coach Matt Rhule still struggles to beat top teams.
在 Big Ten 聯盟中，情況則在穩定與變動之間擺盪。根據 CBS Sports 分析師 Brad Crawford 的說法，俄勒岡大學預計將以 11 勝 1 負完賽並贏得聯盟冠軍，因為他們擁有非常深厚的陣容。另一方面，密西根大學在 Kyle Whittingham 的領導下正進入過渡期。預測顯示他們將以 8 勝 4 負完賽，因為艱難的賽程可能會阻礙他們進入季後賽。同樣地，華盛頓大學被預計將取得 9 勝 3 負，很大程度上取決於四分衛 Demond Williams Jr. 在艱難客場比賽中的表現。在 UCLA，教練 Bob Chesney 預計將達成 7 勝 5 負的紀錄，這將顯示該計畫正趨於穩定。最後，內布拉斯加大學被預測將以 6 勝 6 負完賽，顯示教練 Matt Rhule 在對抗頂尖球隊時依然面臨挑戰。
Conclusion
The 2026 season is defined by Oregon's expected dominance in the Big Ten and a close competition between Texas Tech and BYU in the Big 12.
2026 年賽季的特點在於俄勒岡在 Big Ten 的預期統治地位，以及德州理工與楊積謀在 Big 12 之間的激烈競爭。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'Prediction' Pivot: Moving from A2 to B2
At the A2 level, you usually say: "I think Oregon will win." To reach B2, you need to stop using "I think" for everything. You need Speculative Language—words that describe how sure you are about the future.
🔍 The Analysis: Speculation Patterns
Look at how the text predicts the 2026 season. It doesn't just use "will"; it uses specific structures to show different levels of certainty:
-
High Certainty (The 'Safe Bet')
- "...is expected to finish 11-1"
- "...is forecasted to finish 6-6"
- B2 Tip: Use these when you have data or a strong reason for your opinion. Replace "I think" with "It is expected that..."
-
Conditional Probability (The 'Maybe')
- "...depending largely on how quarterback Demond Williams Jr. performs"
- B2 Tip: B2 speakers connect a result to a condition. Don't just say "They might win"; say "They might win, depending on [X]."
-
The Unexpected Twist
- "...could surprise everyone due to..."
- B2 Tip: Use "could" instead of "can" when talking about a possibility in the future. It sounds more natural and academic.
🛠️ Upgrade Your Vocabulary
Stop using "Change" and "Good/Bad." Use these B2 Precision Verbs found in the text:
| A2 Word | B2 Upgrade | Context from Text |
|---|---|---|
| Change | Transition | "...starting a transition period" |
| Strong | Deep (Roster) | "...they have a very deep roster" |
| Start | Introduce | "...introduced a new cultural approach" |
| Mix | Combine | "...combined old strategies with a new system" |
Coach's Note: The jump to B2 is about nuance. Instead of saying "Michigan is changing," say "Michigan is in a transition period." It describes the process, not just the fact.