Army

Army enters 2026 confronting significant offensive line turnover that threatens to undermine what was already a modest offensive foundation. The Black Knights grade out at +0.5 nationally (56th) with their offense ranking 60th and defense 63rd — middle-of-the-pack marks that reflect last year's 6-6 finish. Quarterback Cale Hellums returns as the starter, providing stability at the most crucial position, but the departure of key contributors like Noah Short and Hayden Reed leaves gaps that will test the program's ability to maintain continuity in their ground-heavy attack.

JP+ projects 6.9 wins for Army in a season where structural uncertainty looms larger than usual. The offensive line reset creates moderate continuity risk across an offense that relies heavily on precision execution, while the defense faces its own replacement challenges despite returning a reasonable foundation. Road contests against Memphis and Temple represent significant hurdles, though home games against Tulane and FAU offer opportunities to build momentum. If the new offensive linemen gel quickly and Hellums can operate behind adequate protection, Army could push toward eight wins. If the trench work falters early, another .500 campaign becomes the realistic ceiling.