The Long Road to Glory. A Ryne Scott Journey- CFB26

[Deuce2223]

Akili Smith Jr bout to take C-USA by storm. Excited to see how the offense turns out with the new additions

I was a big fan of Akili Smith SR, even though he was a Duck. Hopefully I can help prepare JR fora better career then his dad had.

[Deuce2223]

With the arrival of 2026.. NCAA Commish Deuce Jungling has announced that the MWC/Pac-12 rebuild will not be the only thing taking place this season.

Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State’s departure to the Pac-12 sent ripple effects across the nation as the Mountain West scrambled to replace 5 teams.

After attempting to try and convince schools like Memphis/Tulane/North Texas/UCF to leave the American failed Pac 12 officials made one last pitch to the teams that just left . After failures to try and convince Oregon/Washington/USC/UCLA to return from the Big Ten and after failing to convince Utah/Colorado/Arizona/Arizona State to leave the Big 12, the Pac-12 turned to Cal and Stanford in the ACC.

Cal (8-5 last year) and Stanford (just 1-11) both were projected to finish in the bottom third of the ACC but with a move back to the Pac-12 both schools instead became projected to finish among the Top-4 joining Boise State as favorites to rule the kingdom.

Cal officials

“At the end of the day we sat down with guy’s at Stanford and had a long talk. They are one of our biggest rivals and we knew we didn’t want to make a move without them.. The travel back east was killing our budgets and it was hurting our student athletes.. Our players don’t just come to Cal and Stanford to play football, they come here because of the high standards we put on our Academics.”

The Pac-12 wasn't done though coming to terms with Texas State and then adding Arkansas State as well bringing the total to 11 teams.

When asked if the Pac-12 was done growing, the response was that for now the conference would proceed with 11 teams leaving the 12th spot open for the right team at the right time.


Jungling wasn't done though was he made multiple moves throughout the nation as he worked with programs to build regional rivalries that would benefit the entire conference with travel costs.

The SEC despite multiple attempts to add Clemson and potentially Miami remained untouched as they will remain with 16 teams after adding Texas and Oklahoma recently.

With Cal and Stanford departing the ACC, Jungling was quick to make multiple other moves, with UCF, Maryland, and West Virginia all moving to the ACC well Pitt and SMU also depart.

Here is a look at the new ACC

North
Duke
Louisville
Clemson
Wake Forest
UNC
NC State
Syracuse
Maryland

South
Georgia Tech
Miami
Florida State
UCF
West Virginia
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Boston College

*I was going to move Clemson to the South and BC to the North but I felt like the South would be to strong well the North would basically be Louisville or Duke every year like they have been in my past dynasties.

Here is a look at the new Big 12 that will also boast 16 teams.

BYU
Utah
Arizona State
Arizona
Colorado
Iowa State
*Iowa
*Nebraska

Texas Tech
Baylor
Houston
TCU
*SMU
Oklahoma State
Kansas
Kansas State


The new Big Ten retains USC/UCLA/Oregon/Washington but adds another major program as Notre Dame loses their court case demanding a automatic bid to the playoffs. The Big Ten will feature 18 teams.

Indiana
*Notre Dame
*Pitt
Northwestern
Purdue
USC
UCLA
Washington
Oregon

Ohio State
*Cincinnati
Michigan
Michigan State
Rutgers
Penn State
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Illinois

The American retained UCF/Tulane/Memphis/N. Texas but sees major changes as they shrink to 12 teams, as Navy and Army both go Independent.

Tulane
USF
*Southern Miss
* Northern Illinois
*Missouri State
* UConn

North Texas
UTSA
Rice
Memphis
*Middle Tennessee
Tulsa

CUSA gets a complete new look as multiple teams are swapped with the Sun Belt

*James Madison
*Old Dominion
Liberty
Western Kentucky
*Marshall
Delaware

FIU
*FAU
*Coastal Carolina
*Charlotte
*Appalachian State
*East Carolina

The new Sun Belt
*Kennesaw State
*Jacksonville State
*La Tech
*UAB
UL Monroe
Louisiana
Troy
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
South Alabama

The Mac basically stays the same just Temple and N. Illinois swapped spots

Toledo
Miami O
Ohio
Akron
Ball State
Bowling Green
Kent State

Western Michigan
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Buffalo
Temple
UMass


Finally a look at the new Mountain West which will feature our Coach Scott and the New Mexico State Aggies for now. in a 10 team league.

*New Mexico State
*UTEP
*Sam Houston
New Mexico
UNLV
Nevada
San Jose State
Air Force
Wyoming
Hawaii

[redsox907]

I like the moves

Not just the typical regional stuff that ends up happening, but some solid side moves as well. Agree with not putting Clemson in the south, though it feels like its going to be Clemson vs Miami every year with how the conference is unfortunately

[Deuce2223]

2026 PRE-SEASON POLL

#1 Georgia (97/99/94)
#2 Oregon (94/94/96)
#3 Oklahoma (90/91/96)
#4 Ohio State (92/91/94)
#5 Notre Dame (96/96/96)
#6 Ole Miss (89/89/89)
#7 Texas A&M (91/91/91)
#8 Texas (96/96/96)
#9 USC (89/89/91)
#10 Alabama (93/91/96)
#11 Texas Tech (77/76/77)
#12 Miami (89/89/89)
#13 Indiana (76/76/76)
#14 Michigan (86/86/86)
#15 BYU (79/79/81)
#16 Utah (84/84/86)
#17 Vanderbilt (64/65/64(
#18 Missouri (82/81/84)
#19 Virginia (62/61/64)
#20 Penn State (91/91//91)
#21 Louisville (78/76/81)
#22 Tennessee (87/89/86)
#23 Clemson (89/89/91)
#24 Arizona (75/76/74)
#25 Georgia Tech (79/79/81)


Top Stories

Despite multiple claims that HC Kalani Sitake wasn't leaving BYU after leading the Cougars to the playoffs, Sitake bolted to Oklahoma State f

Can Vanderbilt recover the loss of HC Clark Lea (Wisconsin) and the graduation of QB Diego Pavia

Virginia after making the ACC Championship game lost not only 30+ Seniors off their roster but HC Tony Elliott to Kentucky as well

HEISMAN WATCH LIST

This year's Top-5 Heisman watch list features not a single Senior but 5 super talented Juniors including 1 very talented RB who will be key to his new teams success.

Duke QB Darian Mensah (95) is coming off a 3529 yds 21 TD 7 INT and 5 Rushing TD last season for the Blue Devils.

Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (94) just missed winning last year's Heisman after throwing for 4441 yds with 54 TD and just 1 INT leading the Buckeyes to a perfect 12-0 record before losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship.

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith will look to become a 2 time winner after taking home last year's honor with 118 rec for 1761 yds and 21 TD.

Alabama WR Ryan Williams will look to challenge Smith after recording 82 rec for 1250 yds and 15 TD last year.

Boise State HC Spencer Danielson will need to make Missouri transfer Ahmad Hardy the focal point of his offense this season after losing QB Maddux Madsen (Oregon) and Sire Gaines (Texas) to the Portal. Hardy had 159 carries for 1194 yds and 6 TD in 9 games last year for the Tigers.

[Deuce2223]

I like the moves

Not just the typical regional stuff that ends up happening, but some solid side moves as well. Agree with not putting Clemson in the south, though it feels like its going to be Clemson vs Miami every year with how the conference is unfortunately

Yeah I might ditch the divisions after this year and just go back to just a random schedule with them playing 9 games against conference opponents , I think the plan is to run with these until 2030 and look to make some adjustments. That gives me 4 years to see how the Pac-12/MW pan out before deciding what 12th team joins the Pac-12..

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES KICK OFF 2026 WITH BIG WEEK 0 WIN

GAME RECAP
After getting torched by Ben Baker (400 yds 5 TD) in a Week 3 loss to the La Tech last season, New Mexico State got it's revenge winning their season/home opener against the Baker and the Bulldogs this season as OC Ryne Scott, QB Aliki Smith JR and RB's Jayden Limar and Bryan Jackson make their debuts.

Smith's debut started a little rock as the Redshirt Freshman opened up the opening drive going 0/5 including a INT that would lead to La Tech taking the early (7-0) lead. Smith however would settle down and lead the Aggies on a 13 play 80 yd drive ending with a Bryan Jackson 2 yd touchdown run.

NMSU would tie the game up (17-17) with just over 2 minutes to play in the half as Jackson scores his 2nd touchdown of the game and after a quick 3 and out, the Aggies found themselves back with the ball with 1:16 to play.. Opening up the playbook, Smith would connect on 38 yd pass to TJ Pride to set up Freshman Vince Maze for a 40 yd FG as the Aggies take the (20-17) lead into the locker room.

La Tech would open up the 2nd half with the ball and quickly tied the game connecting on their own 40+ FG to make it (20-20) before Smith would throw INT #2 leading to yet another Bulldog score as La tech takes the lead (27-20).

Looking to settle down his QB, Scott would go to the ground game as Limar and Jackson combine for 66 yds on the a 14 play drive that ended with Jackson's 3rd touchdown of the game as the Aggies tie things back up (27-27) going into the 4th.

The Bulldogs however answer back with their own ground game that had already produced big runs and over 150 yds rushing on the day. as SR RB Kaleb Jackson breaks free for a 40 yd score to open up the 4th giving La Tech the (34-27) lead.

With Smith struggling, the Bulldogs loaded the box with 8-9 defenders as they looked to put this one to bed but with Donavan Faupel and Lamont Poutasi now facing 1 on 1 coverage Smith went to work. finding both WR's for scores as Faupel hauls in the first to tie the game (34-34) and then a 27 yd strike to Poutasi that gave New Mexico State the lead (41-34) with 2:12 to play in the game.

La Tech already with 228 yds and 4 scores on the ground were forced to go to the air with just 1 timeout, but the Aggie Defense was ready as JR CB Will Kendricks picks off Baker with 48 seconds to play taking the ball back inside the redzone, setting up Smith for 1 final score as he hits Limar out of the backfield for a 11 yd strike pushing him over 400 yds on the day.FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO STATE-48 LA TECH-34


KEY PLAYERS
QB A.. Smith Jr-30/49 (61%) 403 yds 3 TD 2 INT
RB B Jackson-17 carries 36 yds 3 TD
RB J. Limar-13 carries 56 yds. 7 rec 83 yds 1 TD
RB R. Hills-6 carries 27 yds
WR L. Poutasi-9 rec 124 yds 1 TD
WR TJ Pride-7 rec 117 yds
WR D. Faupel-5 rec 54 yds 1 TD


After the game we caught up with Ryne Scott to talk about the Aggies big win.

Reporter--Ryne, Aliki Smith struggled early with the 2 INT can you give us some inside info on both plays?

Scott-Yeah to be honest both throws came on the exact same play call, a play action pass where we we try to get TJ Pride open deep with a crossing route with LP (Lamont Poutasi) over the middle.. The defender covering LP make a great read both times and made the the big plays.

Reporter-Speaking of Poutasi.. It's not very often that NMSU lands a 4* caliber player and he showed off his talent tonight leading the team with 9 rec for 124 yds and that big touchdown to give you guy's the lead. How big of a role is he going to play in the offense moving forward.

Scott- LP was a 4* for a reason.. This kid is legit.. We knew after the season that Donovan had last year that teams would really focus on him this year so we know that LP and TJ (Pride) would need to step up and both of them did today.

Reporter- Coach you guy's lost your top 2 RB's from last year in Calloway and Stanley but you got nice production today with 119 yds and 3 TD... How do you feel about your run game.

Scott- Bryan Jackson is a load to bring down (6'0 240lbs) and showed it today inside the 5 yd line.. I felt like Jayden (Limar) showed just how big he will be in our offense. There is a reason why he was at Oregon last year.. We got lucky that injuries allowed some younger guy's to pass him on the depth chart.. I believe he was a 4* coming out of high school and he showed he can big a big help to use both out of the backfield and in the receiving game.. I also really liked what we saw out of Ramon Hills today.. He is a guy we believe could help us more then just 4 games this year but at the same time we also want to make sure we get him enough carry's to make it worth his time not to burn his redshirt either.

Reporter- Coach thanks for your time and good luck next week as you kick off Mountain West play @ Nevada..

[redsox907]

offense was cooking and nice rebound from Smith after the early struggles

depending on how the Mountain West shakes out you've got a decent shot at it although you may have a lot of shootouts in your future

[Deuce2223]

2026 NEW MEXICO MEDIA GUIDE

**Forgot to post this before my Week 0 matchup

TEAM OUTLOOK
Coming off a (6-7) season after their Bowl loss to UNLV, the Aggies (72 Overall/74 Offense/71 Defense) make a big move leaving CUSA for the Mountain West.. Armed with the #45 Overall Recruiting Class,, the Aggies appear on paper to one of the favorites to push New Mexico and UNLV for a potential run at the MW Crown this season and replace Boise State as one of the top dogs in the conference.

THE SCHEDULE

Week 0 vs La Tech
Week 1 @ Nevada
Week 2 vs Hawaii
Week 3 @ UNLV
Week 4 vs San Jose State
Week 5 vs New Mexico (Battle of the Rio Grande)
Week 6 "Bye"
Week 7 @ Colorado
Week 8 @ FIU
Week 9 vs Air Force
Week 10 vs Sam Houston State (Senior Day)
Week 11 "Bye"
Week 12 @ UTEP (Battle of the I-10)
Week 13 @ Wyoming

The Schedule is interesting as the Aggies will play their final home game in Week 10 and 2 late non-conference road matchups in Week 8 and 9.. With the move to the MWC,, the Aggies will continue their yearly rivalry games against both New Mexico and UTEP and now Coach Sanchez will also face his former team (UNLV) every season as well..

THE ROSTER

(Overall/RS=Redshirted/(R)=Redshirting)

QB
RS FR Akili Smith Jr (81)
RS JR Parker Awad (76)
RS FR Nick McCraw (70)
SO Brian Faulk (66)
(R) FR Benjamin Hurtado (69)

Outlook "Smith Jr was brought in to be QB1. Awad played in 4 games last year throwing for 758 yds with 7 TD and just 1 INT but also completed just 40% of his attempts.

RB
JR Bryan Jackson (82)
RS SR Jayden Limar (81)
FR Ramon Hills (69)
(R) FR Gordon Brown (73)
(R) FR Kion Abimiri (69)
(R) FR Marcos Cox (69)

Outlook- Brown and Cox were both late 3* Athlete additions to the recruiting class who graded out best at RB but with the additions of Jackson/Limar they well join Abimiri and redshirt well Hills earns the #3 role and active duty to start the year.. With the ability to play in 4 games, we would see a rotation of the other 3 all playing in at least 3 games well all 4 are able to use their redshirt season.

WR
SR Donovan Faupel (82)
JR TJ Pride (81)
FR Lamont Poutasi (77)
RS JR AJ Williams III (75)
RS JR James Long (66)
RS FR Izeyah Wright (67)
(R) FR Chad Awe (66)
(R) FR Arie Blasingame (58)

Outlook-Faupel led the team setting a new school record with 17 TD's last year finishing with 42 rec and 608 yds). Pride played in all 13 games last year recording 8 rec for 107 yds and 1 TD. but moves to the #2 role this season looking to replace Tyler King and PJ Johnsoon II. Poutasi the 4* Recruit and #1 player in last year's class will start and play out of the slot and could very well lead the team in everything by the end of the seaosn. Williams is is the biggest of all 4 at 6'4 and could be a major threat inside the redzone. Long and Wright provide depth in case of injury.

TE
SR Gavin Harris (81)
RS JR Adam Parks (78)
RS JR Caden Jensen (78)
RS JR Josh Goines (76)
SO Brayden Sage (72)
(R) FR Hasheem Cloud (63)
(R) FR Jalen Herring (61)

Outlook- Harris recorded 37 rec for 562 yds and 3 TD as TE1 lost season. Jensen a transfer from Louisiana is a huge redzone threat at 6'6 266lbs and had 34 rec for 376 yds and 6 TD last year for the Ragin Cajuns. Sage will likely be the #3 but also the team's Fullback when the Aggies run a I-Formation.

0-LINE

RS FR Mateo Rodriguez (70)
RS JR Elijah Harvey (69)
RS SR Armando Nieves (69)
SO Steve Trapasso (66)

RS JR JR Hecklinski (70)
JR Madison Schaub (67)
RS JR BJ Tolo (79)
RS SR Hayden Harlan (71)

RS JR Kai Wheeler 72)
RS FR Sam Fouts (71)
(R) FR Leslie Fouts (68)

Outlook-After failing to add any players from the Portal, this looks to be starting by committee..besides Tolo and Wheeler (Center).

D-LINE

SR Gabe Peterson (80)
SR Larry Jones III (70)
RS JR Obinna Okeke (73)
RS SR Jaden Robinson (72)
(R) FR Joh Melvin (67)
(R) FR George Good (69)
(R) FR Theo Stokley (68)
(R) FR Kadem Turner (67)

SR Henry Davis III (72)
SR Enzo-Pierre Tayou (70)
RS JR Ta'avilli Tuitama (69)
(R) JR Kevin Gash (67)

Outlook-Okeke started all 13 games last year recording 48 Tackles but had just 1 sack.. Peterson actually led the team with 10 TFL and 6 Sacks and will once again where the C (Captain on his uni). Davis and Tayo take over the middle after being backups last season.


LINEBACKERS
SR Sone Aupiu (80)
SR Tory Geathers (75)
SR Chance Barron (64)
SR Quincy Davis (72)
RS FR Zaiden Davis (64)
RS FR Tevin Russell (67)

(R) FR Andrew Zakelj (66)
(R) FR Kedrick Agude (64)
(R) FR Kameron Trapp (63)

Outlook-NMSU will once again play a 4-2-5 Defense meaning Aupui is the clear leader of the unit (102 Tackles last season) leaving Geathers and Davis mostly likely splitting duties as the other starter. and most likely a unit that will need to be restocked next year with potential transfer additions.

b]SECONDARY[/b]

RS FR J'vari Flowers (78)
RS JR Will Kendricks (77)
SR Josiah Charles (77)
RS JR Saveon Freeman (73)
(R) FR Ty Kennedy (69)
(R) FR Amari Wooden (69)

RS JR Naeten Mitchell (81)
RS JR DJ Hill-Smith (73)
RS JR Walter Owens (69)
(R) FR Kevin Matlock (71)

JR Quentin Reddish (80)
RS FR Jakobe Campbell (73)
(R) FR Jorge Chavis (62)

Outlook-Flowers and Reddish are 3* transfers who step in and become instant starters. Mitchell was solid last year with 60 Tackles but didn't record a INT all year. Charles (61 Tackles,/1 INT) and Kendricks (20 Tackles) will battle it out to be CB2. with the other still likely starting as the teams #5 DB.

SPECIAL TEAMS

FR Vince Maze (76)
JR Max Dean (76)

Outlook-Maze takes over PK/FG duties with the graduation of River Hawk. Dean was the Aggies punter last season recording 63 punts for 2926 yds (46.4 avg) with a net avg of 39.3. He had 8 TB and 13 punts inside the 20 with a long of 63 yds.

[Deuce2223]

offense was cooking and nice rebound from Smith after the early struggles

depending on how the Mountain West shakes out you've got a decent shot at it although you may have a lot of shootouts in your future

I was a little surprised with how big of hit the Mountain West took and the Overall's of the team remaining.. .UNLV coming off a 1 1 win season drops to a 66 Overall and New Mexico coming off 8 wins is now a 62 Overall. San Jose State is a 65 Overall so New Mexico State is actually the highest rated team in the conference. Air Force is a 68 Overall and the only other team with a plus 70 grade with a 71 Defense, so they could be a challenge.

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES WIN MW OPENER!!!

GAME RECAP

After scoring 48 points in the season opener over La Tech, this game was a complete Defensive battle until the 4th Quarter. A turnover on downs would lead to Nevada getting on the scoreboard first with a 41 yd FG to make it (3-0) leaving just 3 minutes to play in the 1st Quarter. NMSU faced with another decision to go for it on 4th and 2 inside the 5 yd line rolled the dice but Jackson comes up short as the Aggies turn the ball over on downs yet again but the forcing Nevada to take over on the 3 yd line would lead to a safety make it (3-2).

Both teams would continue to struggle to move the ball bu Mexico State would manage to connect on a pair of FG's to at least put points on the scoreboard making it (8-3) at the half.

A Aliki Smith INT to open up the 3rd Quarter would lead to a Nevada touchdown and after a converted 2pt play the Wolfpack would take the (11-8) lead.

Another Aliki Smith INT would kill the Aggies only other drive in the 3rd as New Mexico State still trailed (11-8) going into the 4th. Looking to settle Smith down Coach Scott would pound the rock against a tired Wolfpack Defense but inside the redzone it was Smith coming to the rescue with a 26 yd strike to L.P. (Lamont Poutasi) for the go ahead score making it (15-11). Then after forcing SR QB AJ Blanco (76 ovr) to throw a INT, the Aggie ground game went back to work setting up a another score as Smith finds TE Gavin Harris from 13 yds to extend the lead to (22-11) with under 4 minutes to play..

Nevada wasn't giving up though a Blanco finds Nate Burleson II (73 ovr) on a pair of 1st down throws setting up FR RB Joe Bernstein (68 ovr) on a 18 yd touchdown run. The Wolfpack again leave the offense on the field and with the 2pt play converted it was now (22-19) with under 2 minutes to play.

Left with only the option of a onside kick, NMSU would send out the hands team to recover. A pair of runs by Jayden Limar would force Nevada to burn it's final timeouts but it was Limar's 3rd run that would be the play to break the camels back as the Senior transfer from Oregon takes it 27 yds to the house as the Aggies close out the game with 21 (4th Quarter) points. FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO STATE-29 NEVADA-19

The run by Limar not only pushed him over 100 yds rushing on the day but it also pushed the Aggies team total over 200 yds.

KEY PLAYERS
QB A. Smith-26/41 (63%) 260 yds 2 TD 2 INT
RB J. Limar-20 carries 103 yds 1 TD, 4 rec 39 yds
RB R. Hills-12 carries 57 yds
RB B. Jackson-14 carries 50 yds
WR L. Poutasi-7 rec 74 yds 1 TD
WR D. Faupel-7 rec 57 yds
WR TJ Pride-3 rec 48 yds
TE G. Harris-3 rec 23 yds 1 TD

UP NEXT

New Mexico State will host (1-1) Hawaii in Week 2.. The Rainbow Warriors opened up their season with a (45-17) loss to Stanford but bounced back with a big win over Arizona State (31-28) this past week.