2026 NCAAF: Independents Preview

The last time the Independents got a dedicated preview on Around The Corn, the pool was twice as large.

That’s what I love about the Independents – I keep getting older, it stays the same…

Alright, alright, alright – I’ll stop.

Cut me some slack. It’s difficult to write an introduction to a preview that only features two programs.

Teams I Like

Notre Dame

It’s hard not to put the Fighting Irish amongst the short list of teams with a very real shot of winning the national title in 2026. Despite being left out of the Playoff last season, Notre Dame managed to win 10 games, only lost to Playoff participants (including the eventual national runner-up) and statistically speaking was within the top 25 in terms of both total offense and total defense. Being left out of the Playoff considering the circumstances only created more hunger within the program, which is left largely intact on both sides of the ball (seven returning starters on offense, nine returning starters on defense).

Heading into the previous season, one of the few question marks about the team was about quarterback play. CJ Carr passed all tests with flying colors and now is a bonafide Heisman Trophy candidate as he enters his second season as the team’s starter. With another set of dominant lines on both offense and defense, the Fighting Irish should again be fierce on the ground both when they have the ball and when defending the rush. I was high on this team before last season as well as when it started the previous campaign 0-2, and generally did feel for the team following the way the final CFP rankings were handled prior to the Playoff. If the Fighting Irish don’t get invited to the party for a second straight year, it’ll be a huge surprise.

Not High On

Connecticut

The Huskies were a few overtime victories away from an undefeated season in 2025, which would have created an incredibly sticky situation regarding their Playoff candidacy given the strength of schedule that the team faced. Unfortunately for Connecticut, Jim Mora Jr. took the success and ran – to Colorado State, of all places – effectively sending the program back to square one with new head coach Jason Candle. This year’s squad doesn’t resemble the previous team at all, and the 2026 schedule is tougher.

Like many coaches at a new location, Candle brought with him the desired pieces that he could convince to move on from Toledo. The Rockets were one of the more talented teams in the MAC last season, but the Huskies face the likes of P4 squads Maryland, Syracuse and North Carolina, in addition to solid G6 programs Air Force, James Madison and Miami (OH) (the last of which Candle did beat 24-3 with Toledo in 2025). Simply put, this is a program that is nearly entirely turning over and faces a tougher slate of games. This isn’t basketball – Connecticut will struggle to become bowl eligible given all of the change.

Players To Watch

Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame running back

Despite having a 1,000 yard rusher in five of the past six seasons, the running back room culture at Notre Dame has been one of shared success. The lead back has typically spent time down the depth chart, but still producing, in previous seasons. This culture continues with Williams, the heir apparent to the role of “lead back” for the Fighting Irish this season. Having spent time as the third option for the past two seasons, the junior has shown tremendous ability in his limited role and is ready to fill the holes left by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. That may sound a little a little overzealous considering that both Love and Price were first round NFL Draft picks in the spring, but as mentioned, it’s a “next man up” culture that has been established in South Bend.

Williams will be supported by a cast of currently lesser known but still talented running backs, but should ascend to the role of first option that Love and Price effectively shared the past two years. Like Love, Williams can be dangerous out of the backfield as a pass catcher but is also an excellent third down back and can get tough yards in down and short situations. While perhaps not as dominant as Love or Price in the areas they specialized, Williams is a solid combination of both skillsets and can be used accordingly as a result. It’s Williams’s turn to become the next 1,000 yard rusher for Notre Dame, something that he should do with relative ease.

Jordan Faison, Notre Dame wide receiver

A previously two-sport star for the Fighting Irish (lacrosse), Faison has only recently committed solely to football. It’s impressive, then, that the senior actually led Notre Dame in receiving yards and receptions last season over Malachi Fields, who just got drafted by the New York Giants. Unlike Fields, Faison made a name for himself between the hashes, serving as a talented slot option that allowed CJ Carr to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Once he has the ball, Faison is quick enough to do a lot of the work to get downfield himself.

With Notre Dame backfilling Fields accordingly and still having a viable pass catching option at tight end, Faison’s role won’t change much in the offense, meaning that he should have another solid season as he continues to build his own resume for the pros. What may help Faison have an even better season is the continued maturation of his quarterback, who was still only a redshirt freshman last year.

Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame linebacker

Bowen will be serving as one of the captains for the Fighting Irish for a second season in 2026, underscoring his leadership capabilities in addition to everything else that he provides as a box linebacker. Bowen is known to lead vocally in addition to by example, where his play speaks for itself. Bowen led the team in tackles last season with 67, which was 14 more than the next closest teammate. He is particularly active within the pass rush and led the linebacking corps with 3.5 sacks last season as well.

With nearly the entire defense returning for Notre Dame this season, Bowen is one of the leaders of what could be the country’s best defense. Like many of his teammates, Bowen was crushed by the way that last season ended and his relatively ordinary physical traits has always required him to win with toughness and grit as opposed to pure talent. This combination should endear him to fans as it has teammates, especially if the Fighting Irish are in fact dominant defensively in 2026.

Games to Watch

*many of Notre Dame’s “top” games were featured in previews previously released. For a full list of the Fighting Irish’s games to watch this season, check out the rest of the conference preview articles on Around The Corn!

Connecticut at Miami (OH) (September 26)

Having come from the MAC, head coach Jason Candle should be familiar with the style that Chuck Martin will deploy. Candle’s Toledo squad fared quite well against Martin & Co. last season, stifling Miami’s offense for a 24-3 victory.

Navy vs. Notre Dame [game in Foxborough, MA] (October 31)

The Midshipmen are considered a threat to win the American Conference, but haven’t truly given the Fighting Irish a scare since a three-point defeat in 2022.

James Madison at Connecticut (November 14)

The Dukes dip out of Sun Belt play briefly to take on the Huskies in mid-November, which could present an interesting challenge depending on the weather forecast at the time. James Madison doesn’t travel north of Virginia all season to play except for this non-conference affair.

Aw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)

*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!

Notre Dame Wins National Championship (+600)

The Fighting Irish don’t come into the season as previous runner-up, but otherwise the scenario is quite similar to last year, when Notre Dame entered as a serious contender as well. This time around, Marcus Freeman has a veteran quarterback and the team has a chip on its collective shoulder. That should translate into an even more dangerous squad, which should be a scary thought for opponents.

Connecticut Under 4.5 Wins (+160)

The rug being pulled out from under the Huskies in the offseason is going to make it very difficult to maintain the positive momentum that it appeared the program was building. Jason Candle has his work cut out for him and really needs to be given a year to properly structure a rebuilding before people get too caught up in wins and losses in Storrs.

CJ Carr Wins Heisman Trophy (+700)

The questions coming into last season about Lloyd Carr’s grandson were answered from the jump, as the first-year starter was excellent all season. His abilities through the air allow Notre Dame a large amount of flexibility offensively and should result in a potent attack once again this season. Carr is the odds-on favorite heading into the year to win the award.

Predictions

1. Notre Dame (11-1)
2. Connecticut (2-10)