{"id":385259,"date":"2026-01-01T18:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T18:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/385259\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T18:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T18:57:10","slug":"26-bold-predictions-for-2026-bills-orioles-win-titles-usa-makes-world-cup-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/385259\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Bold Predictions for 2026: Bills, Orioles Win Titles; USA Makes World Cup Run"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">The <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/buffalo-bills-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buffalo Bills<\/a> and <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/mlb\/baltimore-orioles-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Baltimore Orioles<\/a> breaking through to capture elusive championships?! The United States men&#8217;s national team making noise at the World Cup?! Fernando Mendoza serving as the savior of the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/new-york-jets-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Jets<\/a>?!<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">We asked our FOX Sports writers to look into their crystal balls to see what 2026 will bring in the sports world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Here are their 26 boldest predictions for the upcoming year:<\/p>\n<p><img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Smith has been the best player in the country for two consecutive years, according to everyone except voters for major college football awards. He singlehandedly flipped Ohio State into a national title team in just four games in 2024, and he did it as a true freshman. In 2025, he finished sixth in the Heisman voting, the only wideout to receive enough votes to make the top 10, and voters of the Biletnikoff didn\u2019t pick him. Well, 2026 is the year for all arguments for age and lasting impact on the sport laid to rest and to crown Smith for the player he has been since he entered the sport. \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/rj-young\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">RJ Young<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">[Read more: <a class=\"zReHs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/college-football\/family-community-desire-great-inside-jeremiah-smiths-rise-stardom\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Inside Jeremiah Smith&#8217;s rise to stardom<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p><img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">A mere 31 years after they lost the last of their four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s, the Bills bring a title to Title-less Town, and defeat the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/los-angeles-rams-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a> in Super Bowl LX. Forced to play three straight playoff games on the road after losing the AFC East to the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/new-england-patriots-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patriots<\/a>, the Bills will actually cruise through the AFC playoff field with the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/kansas-city-chiefs-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> mercifully out of the way. Bills fans will then not only flock to Santa Clara, Califronia, for the big game, but they\u2019ll pack their soon-to-be demolished stadium in Orchard Park, New York for an outdoor viewing party (in a blizzard, of course). It\u2019ll still be snowing two days later when more than a million Bills fans line Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo to watch snow plows carry their conquering heroes in a parade they\u2019ve been waiting for all their lives. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/ralph-vacchiano\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ralph Vacchiano<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3. USA Makes 2026 World Cup Semis<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">With all due respect to FOX Sports colleagues <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/landon-donovan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Landon Donovan<\/a>, Brad Guzan, <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/stu-holden\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stu Holden<\/a>, <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/cobi-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cobi Jones<\/a> and <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/alexi-lalas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alexi Lalas<\/a>, I was shocked that none of those greats has the U.S. surviving the quarterfinals. Sure, reaching the Round of 16 like they did at the 2022, 2014 and 2010 World Cups will now require winning a knockout game because of the expanded field \u2014 something the USMNT has done once in 10 World Cup appearances all-time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">But as a seeded team with a wholly manageable draw, the co-hosts are the favorites to win Group D, ensuring they face a third-place finisher in the new round of 32. Playing at home, with the entire country on the bandwagon, the U.S. can\u2019t settle for more of the same. Momentum builds at World Cups. When a team gets hot, they can ride the wave far longer than pure talent says they should.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">It costs nothing to dream. Under a coach who once led perennial underachievers Tottenham to a Champions League final, the bar must be set higher. Mauricio Pochettino already has. He\u2019s telling anyone who\u2019ll listen that the World Cup trophy itself is within reach. Everything would have to go perfectly to reach even the semis. They\u2019d need some luck to make it that far. But to paraphrase Pochettino: Why can\u2019t they? \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/doug-mc-intyre\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Doug McIntyre<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">[Read more: <a class=\"flex-col\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/soccer\/the-big-picture-usa-dreaming-the-impossible-with-a-favorable-world-cup-group\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">USA Can Dream the &#8216;Impossible&#8217;<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>4. College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">It simply has to just to keep stakeholders and fans happy. Acrimony engulfed the sport following Lane Kiffin\u2019s decision to leave <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/ole-miss-rebels-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ole Miss<\/a> to become head coach at <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/lsu-tigers-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LSU<\/a> just as he\u2019d finished leading the Rebels to their best-ever season (11-1) and their first berth in the College Football Playoff. His decision meant that leading a team four games away from playing for the national championship wasn\u2019t as important as his $13.28-million contract in Baton Rouge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Disbelief and anger filtered throughout the sport when <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/notre-dame-fighting-irish-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Notre Dame<\/a> decided to forgo playing in the postseason altogether after the Fighting Irish learned they were not selected for the CFP. This can\u2019t go on. But it will unless the CFP board of managers fix it, and the best way to do that is to double the field. \u2013 RJ Young<\/p>\n<p>5. Baltimore Orioles Win World Series<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Baltimore owns the sixth-longest championship drought in Major League Baseball, but that&#8217;s all about to change in 2026 when the Orioles win the World Series. It would be their first title since 1983, when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and eventual Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. was a 23-year-old putting the finishing touches on his first career MVP Award. The O&#8217;s are long overdue for a trip back to the Fall Classic, and now they finally look primed to reach baseball utopia. Their aggressive offseason really took flight this winter when they signed first baseman Pete Alonso and his 264 career home runs to a monster deal: $155 million for five years. Now, they have one of the filthiest lineups in baseball, and who knows, it just might be good enough to dethrone the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. Maybe the blockbuster move that brought Alonso to the Birds was their missing piece. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/deesha-thosar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Deesha Thosar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>6. New York Jets Go All-In on Fernando Mendoza<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Packaging their two first-round picks in 2026 (and quite possibly much more), the Jets will trade into the top three of the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL<\/a> Draft to select <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/indiana-hoosiers-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana&#8217;s<\/a> Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He isn\u2019t the no-brainer franchise quarterback that sometimes leads off a draft class, but Mendoza\u2019s prototypical size, mobility, lightning-quick release and leadership make him this year\u2019s surest thing at the game\u2019s most important position.\u00a0 \u2013 Rob Rang<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">[Read more: <a class=\"flex-col\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/nfl\/fernando-mendoza-heisman-nfl-draft\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Is Mendoza a &#8216;Game Manager&#8217; or a &#8216;Game Changer&#8217;?<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>7. Ryan Day Leaves Ohio State for the NFL After Another National Title<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">From pitchforks and profanity following a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan in 2024 to an indomitable legacy that will be remembered favorably by fans for generations to come. That\u2019s what awaits Ohio State head coach Ryan Day in the not-so-distant future when he rides the stellar tandem of quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to another national championship next season. It will be, at a minimum, his second title in a three-year span and could potentially complete a three-peat depending on what happens in the coming weeks with his current squad. At that point, with a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 only a handful of coaches can match, Day will be ready to leave college football behind for the chance to chase an even bigger prize in the NFL. He might even bring a few of his former players with him. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/michael-cohen-3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Cohen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>8. Philip Rivers Plays One More Season \u2026 With the Chiefs<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">If you thought the unretirement of the 44-year-old Rivers was a short-term thing, you underestimate the competitiveness of a professional athlete. And now that Rivers is getting another taste of NFL life, he\u2019s going to find it tough to give it right back up. So after falling short of helping the Daniel Jones-less Colts to the playoffs, Rivers will send out feelers to let teams know he wants to keep playing at least one more season. And that\u2019s when he\u2019ll get a surprising offer: Come to Kansas City and be a placeholder until <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/patrick-mahomes-ii-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a> returns from his torn ACL. The chance to potentially play for Andy Reid and maybe even ride along on a Super Bowl quest will be too much to pass up. Plus, he\u2019ll get to extend his NFL health insurance for his gigantic family for another year. \u2013 Ralph Vacchiano<\/p>\n<p>9. Young Red Sox Star Roman Anthony Wins AL MVP honors<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Charles Brock\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Sure, if we were going to pick the likeliest candidate from this year\u2019s crop of Rookie of the Year finalists to contend for an MVP trophy in 2026, it would make sense to start in Sacramento, where Nick Kurtz just produced one of the greatest rookie seasons ever for the Athletics. But that\u2019s not thinking bold enough. Instead, Anthony\u2019s elite combination of all-around skills will come together so quickly that he vaults past the likes of Yankees star Aaron Judge and Royals slugger Bobby Witt Jr. to take home AL MVP honors in his second MLB season. Anthony slashed .329\/.419\/.512 over his final 56 games with the Red Sox, showcased elite plate discipline and absolutely obliterated the ball with a 60.3 percent hard-hit rate that would have led MLB had he qualified. If he can get the ball in the air more often to tap into his tremendous power potential, the rise to superstardom could happen fast. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/rowan-kavner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rowan Kavner<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>10. Will Power Captures 2026 INDYCAR Title<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Jettisoned by Team Penske, Will Power wins the 2026 INDYCAR title in his first season at Andretti. Power wins three races and finishes on the podium in seven others to capture the championship as he goes on a revenge tour for Penske not keeping him after 17 years of dedication to the organization. Power will be gracious in winning his third title but admits that the third one was the sweetest because it proved any doubters wrong. \u2013<a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/bob-pockrass\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bob Pockrass<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11. Messi, Argentina Repeat as World Cup Champs<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Marc Atkins\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Winning the World Cup is hard: just eight nations have done it in the men\u2019s tournament\u2019s almost 100-year history. Doing it twice in a row? That\u2019s almost unheard of. Just three teams, men\u2019s or women\u2019s, have done it in 31 World Cups all time: the Carli Lloyd\/Alex Morgan\/Megan Rapinoe-led U.S. women in 2015 and 2019, Italy\u2019s men way back in 1934 and 1938, and Pele\u2019s Brazil in 1958 and 1962.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Lionel Messi cemented his legacy as soccer\u2019s GOAT when he willed Argentina to his first World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. And while the 38-year-old still hasn\u2019t confirmed that he\u2019ll help the Albiceleste defend their crown in 2026 in the U.S., his home since joining Inter Miami three years ago, only injury will prevent Messi from captaining his country once again next summer. Surely the chance to make more history with his compatriots will be irresistible: Argentina, which also won the Copa Am\u00e9rica in 2021 and 2024, has a chance to claim four consecutive major trophies \u2014 something\u00a0no nation or player \u2014 not even Pele, still the only man to win three World Cups \u2014 has ever accomplished. \u2013 Doug McIntyre<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">The Chargers are 11-5, and they\u2019ve done it without both starting offensive tackles and other key injuries. They also have just over $100 million in 2026 cap space, third-most of any team, and likely a second-place schedule that includes home games against the Jets and <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/las-vegas-raiders-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Raiders<\/a>. Head coach Jim Harbaugh should have everything in place to truly contend with <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/justin-herbert-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Herbert<\/a>, and with the Chiefs down a peg, Denver\u2019s the main obstacle to to a potential deep run in the AFC playoffs. The Super Bowl is at SoFi Stadium in Feb. 2027, so that\u2019s the biggest home-field advantage of all. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/greg-auman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greg Auman<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Scott W. Grau\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">I think Michigan is the best team that I\u2019ve watched on both ends of the floor. Its slow start was understandable, given all the new transfers, but it showed its potential at the Players Era Tournament in wins over San Diego State, <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/auburn-tigers-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Auburn<\/a> and Gonzaga by an average of 36.6 points. The Wolverines have the best frontcourt trio in the country with forward Yaxel Lendeborg\u2019s versatility, center Aday Mara\u2019s length and forward Morez Johnson Jr.\u2019s rugged scoring and rebounding. They surround their big men with a nice pass-first point guard in Elliot Cadeau and shooters like guard Nimari Burnett and forward Will Tschetter. Guard Roddy Gayle Jr. is an explosive slasher, and even freshman guard Trey McKinney has carved out a role among the veterans. This team has no weaknesses. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/casey-jacobsen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Casey Jacobsen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>14. USWNT\u2019s \u2018Triple Espresso\u2019 Reunites<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Since winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the U.S. women&#8217;s national team has been in a state of development and growth when it comes to its player pool and what the squad will look like at the next World Cup. It\u2019s been especially helpful to get to know new and younger players with the likes of the famed Triple Espresso \u2014 Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson \u2014 unavailable. Rodman has been called up a couple of times this year but has mostly been dealing with injuries (there was back pain as well as an MCL sprain), while Swanson and Wilson were out on maternity leave and recently welcomed baby girls. The USWNT will have to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, so I predict at some point in this next year that we will see coach Emma Hayes start to solidify her core World Cup group, which will mean the return of this talented trio. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/laken-litman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Laken Litman<\/a><\/p>\n<p>15. <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/tennessee-titans-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tennessee Titans<\/a> Hire Mike McCarthy as Head Coach\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\"><a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/tennessee-volunteers-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tennessee<\/a> needs a seasoned head coach that is, ideally, offensive minded, giving No. 1 pick <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/cam-ward-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Ward<\/a> continuity with scheme and playcalling as a young quarterback. With 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience, McCarthy checks both boxes. His experience coaching <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/aaron-rodgers-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a> and working under Jerry Jones also indicates an ability to collaborate with big personalities, which should be appealing to a floundering Titans\u2019 franchise. McCarthy and Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker \u2014 Tennessee\u2019s top football executive \u2014 spent a decade together in Green Bay (2009-18), so there\u2019s a strong connection there too. At the very least, McCarthy is a high-floor, moderate-ceiling coach that can stabilize Tennessee. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/ben-arthur\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ben Arthur<\/a><\/p>\n<p>16. Indiana Runs It Back, Wins Back-to-Back Big Ten titles<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">It\u2019s crazy to think of the success head coach Curt Cignetti has already had in just two seasons at Indiana. In Year 1, the Hoosiers went 11-1 in the regular season and made the College Football Playoff. In Year 2, he led his team to a 13-0 regular season record and a Big Ten championship. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and IU secured the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. This is a team that is certainly a favorite to win the national championship and while some of the talent will head to the NFL, Cignetti has proven he can work the transfer portal to his advantage. There are already tons of quality quarterbacks in the portal and there\u2019s no reason not to think Cignetti will build a strong, national title-contending team again next season. \u2013 Laken Litman<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell admitted he and Rodgers spoke last offseason when the veteran QB ultimately landed with the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/pittsburgh-steelers-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>. At the time, the Vikings were committed to <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/jj-mccarthy-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">J.J. McCarthy<\/a>, a former top 10 draft pick. But after a year of action (and two years in the league), McCarthy still looks a ways away from leading the organization to a playoff berth. And so O\u2019Connell will go after Rodgers for real this time. The Vikings will sell it as a chance for McCarthy to develop off the field for another year while Rodgers runs the show. And maybe that\u2019ll work out for everyone involved. But O\u2019Connell\u2019s reputation is built upon QB play. He can\u2019t risk it with another year of what McCarthy did in 2024. That might just get the coach fired. \u2013<a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/henry-mckenna\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Henry McKenna<\/a><\/p>\n<p>18. Pete Alonso Leads MLB in Home Runs in First Season in Baltimore\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">If this prediction comes to fruition, it would be an even tougher pill to swallow for a Mets fanbase already reeling after watching a trio of fan favorites (Alonso, center fielder Brandon Nimmo, closer Edwin D\u00edaz) depart this winter. But Alonso\u2019s coming off a year in which he recorded career highs in both hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, and &#8220;Walltimore&#8221; in left field at Camden Yards is a thing of the past. The Orioles\u2019 decision to move in the left-field fence last season transformed the ballpark back into one of the more favorable venues for righty mashers. Alonso hit 38 home runs last season; based on his expected home run total, he would have hit 45 if he played all of his games in Baltimore. Now, that total won\u2019t likely be enough to surpass the likes of Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Cal Raleigh in 2026, but it doesn\u2019t take much to envision the possibility of a home-run surge in Alonso\u2019s first season with his new club. \u2013 Rowan Kavner\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>19. Chiefs Reach Playoffs Despite Mahomes\u2019 Injury, Kelce\u2019s Retirement<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">If you think Mahomes is down and out, you\u2019re sorely mistaken. We saw the Chiefs thrive in tight games in 2023 \u2014 only to fall short in them in 2024. The 2026 campaign should be a steadier year, even with the quarterback likely missing the first month due to an ACL injury. Coach Andy Reid will make sure they have a QB who can handle the offense (maybe Philip Rivers, as Ralph suggested above). And the Chiefs should get back into the playoff mix with a roster that should see major turnover this offseason, including the departure of Kelce. Could he play another year? Sure. But he had a hard time committing to a return this year. It\u2019ll only get harder next year. His retirement will bring about the end of an era for the Chiefs. But it shouldn\u2019t be the end of their dynasty. \u2013 Henry McKenna<\/p>\n<p>20. Only One QB Goes in the First Round of the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-draft\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Despite several teams needing a franchise quarterback amid a weak free agent class, Indiana\u2019s Fernando Mendoza will be the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That statement might raise eyebrows due to the number of teams in search of a QB1, but the 2026 class lacks the blue-chip quarterback prospects to warrant first-round consideration. While Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson and Oregon\u2019s Dante Moore could enter the conversation, their lack of inexperience as collegiate starters could prompt them to wait until 2027 to make the jump to the NFL. The preseason hype led us to believe the 2026 quarterback class had the potential to be epic, but it looks like a &#8220;one-man&#8221; show at this point. \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/bucky-brooks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bucky Brooks<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">[Read more: <a class=\"flex-col\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/nfl\/ranking-18-best-qb-prospects-ahead-2026-nfl-draft-arch-manning-tumbles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ranking the 18 Best QB Prospects Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>21. Quarterback <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/kyler-murray-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyler Murray<\/a> Joins Mike McDaniel in Miami<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">After stuffing him on the injured reserve list with a foot injury for the second half of the season, the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/arizona-cardinals-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona Cardinals<\/a> appear ready to grant the shifty quarterback Murray his release, allowing him to move on to greener pastures. The possibility of joining an offensive guru like McDaniel, with legit offensive weapons like De\u2019Von Achane, <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/tyreek-hill-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyreek Hill<\/a> and <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/jaylen-waddle-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaylen Waddle<\/a> as potential teammates would be appealing to the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/oklahoma-sooners-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma<\/a> product. Playing for the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/miami-dolphins-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dolphins<\/a> keeps Murray in a warm-weather climate, and Murray would be a good fit for McDaniel\u2019s system, giving him the most talented signal-caller he\u2019s had in Miami.\u00a0 \u2013 <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/personalities\/eric-d-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Eric D. Williams<\/a><\/p>\n<p>22. Michael Jordan Named NASCAR Brand Ambassador<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Jeffrey Vest\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Basketball Hall-of-Famer and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan, in an attempt to unify NASCAR after the contentious lawsuit that consumed the sport in 2025, accepts a role as NASCAR Brand Ambassador. He agrees to make five appearances on behalf of NASCAR on what is considered a national stage or media platform. He can\u2019t talk about whether his team is making money or not. \u2013 Bob Pockrass<\/p>\n<p>23. New York Mets Righty Nolan McLean Wins Cy Young Award<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Not only will the New York Mets&#8217; breakout starting pitcher win his first career Cy Young Award in 2026, but that means he&#8217;ll also be in line to win National League Rookie of the Year honors. Yes, that&#8217;s just how high his projections are for next season. The 24-year-old righthander is coming off a strong debut in the big leagues, with his 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in eight starts and 48 innings pitched drawing comparisons to legendary former Mets rookies like Jacob deGrom&#8230; and even Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Though it&#8217;s way too early in McLean&#8217;s career to go\u00a0that bold, it&#8217;s not so far-fetched to prognosticate how dominant he will be in his first full season in the majors next year. So, watch out, Paul Skenes. There&#8217;s another elite righty in the league coming for your trophy. \u2013 Deesha Thosar<\/p>\n<p>24. Robert Saleh Takes Over as Coach for the <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/cleveland-browns-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Saleh would provide Cleveland with some much-needed leadership and stability if given the opportunity to serve as a head coach again, should the Browns decide to move on from Kevin Stefanski. Saleh finished 20-36 during his time with the Jets after a midseason firing in 2024, which doesn\u2019t look so bad given the state of that franchise now. Saleh would have to bring in a legit offensive coordinator with a background in Kyle Shanahan\u2019s offensive system to work with whoever the Browns choose to go with at quarterback. Saleh had positive things to say about <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/shedeur-sanders-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shedeur Sanders<\/a> earlier this year, but the Browns have two first-round picks and will likely try to find their franchise quarterback in the draft. And with an already strong defense, Saleh could have an opportunity to turn things around quickly in Cleveland. \u2013 Eric D. Williams<\/p>\n<p>25. Rick Pitino Wins Title With St. John\u2019s in &#8217;26-27 Season, Retires on Top<img  width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>(Photo by Porter Binks\/Getty Images). <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">A stunning loss in last year\u2019s Round of 32 cut short what many believed could have been a fairytale season for St. John\u2019s, which won both the Big East regular season and Big East Tournament titles under second-year head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm retooled their roster via the transfer portal but seem a player or two short of competing for a national championship during the 2025-26 campaign. Fueled by back-to-back shortcomings, Pitino and billionaire donor Mike Repole compile a super team for the 2026-27 season that brings St. John\u2019s its first national championship in program history. It will be Pitino\u2019s third national title overall \u2014 he won previously at <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/kentucky-wildcats-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kentucky<\/a> in 1996 and <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/college-football\/louisville-cardinals-team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville<\/a> in 2013 \u2014\u00a0and the capstone achievement that finally ushers him into retirement, where he\u2019ll be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. \u2013 Michael Cohen<\/p>\n<p>26. Chiefs Land Ohio State Defensive Standout Caleb Downs\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">The Chiefs need to prioritize bolstering the offensive skill positions this offseason, but I don\u2019t see them hesitating if Downs falls in their lap this spring. The best defensive back in college football, the Buckeyes star would give Steve Spagnuolo a versatile chess piece at safety that is already well-versed in NFL concepts, having played under Matt Patricia at Ohio State. As fearsome pass-rusher Chris Jones continues to get older, pairing Downs with <a class=\"entity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/nfl\/trent-mcduffie-player\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trent McDuffie<\/a> in the back end would supercharge a Kansas City defense built around strong secondary play. \u2013Ben Arthur<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily<\/a>.]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Orioles breaking through to capture elusive championships?! The United States men&#8217;s national team&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":385260,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[64,63,591,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-385259","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mlb","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-mlb","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=385259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385259\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/385260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=385259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=385259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=385259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}