Buffalo

Buffalo's offseason revolves around replacing its top two receivers after Victor Snow (49.5 PPA) transferred to NC State and Nik McMillan (41.6 PPA) departed for Kansas. Ta'Quan Roberson returns as the starting quarterback, but he'll need new targets after the Bulls lost nearly 91 points of receiving production to the portal. The offense already ranked 118th nationally at -4.9 points per game, and losing that much skill position talent makes improvement difficult. Running back Lamar Sperling also transferred to UTEP, though his 10.4 PPA departure creates less of a void than the receiver losses.

JP+ projects 6.7 wins for Buffalo in 2026, suggesting modest improvement from last year's 5-7 record despite the offensive departures. The defense grades out significantly better at 92nd nationally (-2.2 points), giving the Bulls a foundation to build around, while special teams ranks 47th with a slight positive contribution. Road games at Penn State, Miami (OH), and Toledo will test Buffalo's ceiling, but home contests against UAlbany, Robert Morris, and UMass offer opportunities for easy victories. If Roberson can develop chemistry with new receivers quickly, the Bulls could reach bowl eligibility. If the passing game struggles early, another disappointing season looms.