Who are the best quarterbacks in college football heading into the 2026 season? Chip Patterson and Danny Kannell rank the top signal-callers in every Power Conference, debating the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12 while comparing stars like Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, John Mateer, Darian Mensah, Noah Fifita, and more.

Plus, where does Brendan Sorsby stack up among the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft? The guys compare their conference rankings before discussing Sorsby's draft outlook and where he fits among the nation's top pro prospects.

(0:00) 2026 Big Ten QB Rankings

(12:35) 2026 SEC QB Rankings

(25:02) 2026 ACC QB Rankings

(33:18) 2026 Big 12 QB Rankings

(38:28) Brendan Sorsby's 2027 NFL Draft Ranking

#cover3 #ACC #BigTen #SEC #Big12 #Football #CFB #CollegeFootball #TomFornelli #ChipPatterson #BudElliott #DannyKanell #CFP #CollegeFootballPlayoff

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▶︎Bud Elliot: https://x.com/BudElliott3

▶︎Tom Fornelli: https://x.com/TomFornelli

▶︎Danny Kanell: https://x.com/dannykanell

📖 READ

• More college football news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

Bud Elliott and Mike McAllister of CuseNation preview Syracuse's 2026 season.

Can the Orange get back to the 10-win form they showed during Fran Brown's first season in 2024? Bud and Mike discuss expectations for quarterback Steve Angeli as he returns from a torn Achilles, whether he'll be ready for Week 1, and what Syracuse needs from its offense in 2026.

Plus, a look at a defense that struggled last season but added key talent through the transfer portal in hopes of taking a significant step forward.

(0:00) What Happened Last Year
(2:15) Quarterbacks
(4:10) Offensive Coaching
(5:55) Running Backs
(8:05) Wide Receivers
(11:03) Offensive Line
(13:25) Defensive Scheme
(14:30) Defensive Line
(15:35) Linebackers
(17:14) Secondary
(18:55) Defensive Bounce Back
(19:55) Schedule Breakdown

🎟️ Get 60% off an annual 247Sports subscription: Use code SUMMER26

Syracuse Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/syracuse/

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▶︎Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbgC-U8crJaUtIV3hvmVTcZOI0fuiMV-b

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify:https://bit.ly/4eB7hQ6

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The Cover 3 crew is back to give their dark horse college football teams in the Big Ten and SEC! The guys also discuss the NFL declining to have a Supplemental Draft for Brendan Sorsby, react to North Dakota State & Sacramento State being ruled eligible for postseason play, and answer your questions!

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(00:00) Intro

(1:40) Favorite College Football Announcer Calls

(6:47) NFL Denies Brendan Sorsby’s Entry To Supplemental Draft

(16:15) North Dakota State and Sacramento State Eligible For Postseason

(20:02) Can USA Soccer Beat England?

(22:36) Big Ten Dark Horses

(35:32) Big Ten Chalk Donkeys

(43:26) SEC Dark Horses

(50:39) SEC Chalk Donkeys

(55:56) Tom Fornelli’s Book Club

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Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit ⁠the betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college football⁠.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/cover3⁠

Follow our hosts on Twitter: ⁠@Chip_Patterson⁠, ⁠@TomFornelli⁠, ⁠@DannyKanell⁠, ⁠@BudElliott3⁠

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/⁠

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

Bud Elliott sits down with Jacquie Franciulli of CavsCorner to preview Virginia's 2026 season.

Following an 11-win campaign, expectations are high in Charlottesville. They discuss Beau Pribula taking over at quarterback after transferring from Missouri, concerns about wide receiver depth, and whether the Cavaliers can continue their offensive success. On defense, Virginia added key pieces along the defensive line through the transfer portal, but questions remain in the secondary.

Can the Cavaliers build on last year's breakthrough season and stay among the ACC's contenders?

🎟️ Get 60% off an annual 247Sports subscription: Use code SUMMER26

Virginia Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/virginia/

#cover3 #virginia #cavaliers #uva #tonyelliott #ACC #BigTen #SEC #Big12 #Football #CFB #CollegeFootball #TomFornelli #ChipPatterson #BudElliott #DannyKanell

🎥 WATCH

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▶︎Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbgC-U8crJaUtIV3hvmVTcZOI0fuiMV-b

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify:https://bit.ly/4eB7hQ6

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• Other CBS Sports podcasts: https://cbssports.com/podcast

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cover3podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscfb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscfb?lang=en

▶︎Chip Patterson: https://x.com/Chip_Patterson

▶︎Bud Elliot: https://x.com/BudElliott3

▶︎Tom Fornelli: https://x.com/TomFornelli

▶︎Danny Kanell: https://x.com/dannykanell

Bud Elliott sits down with Hale McGranahan  to preview South Carolina’s 2026 season.

Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/ 

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:10) - Vibe Heading Into 2026

(00:02:30) - New System + Offensive Line

(00:04:50) - Wide Receivers 

(00:07:40) - Running Backs 

(00:08:50) - Offensive Name To Know 

(00:10:40) - Defensive Changes

(00:11:30) - Defensive Line 

(00:13:10) - Defensive Name To Know

(00:14:10) - Schedule Breakdown 

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on college football.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, 

The Cover 3 crew is back to review conference realignment around college football! The guys also update some SEC QB news and answer your questions!

-

(00:00: Intro

(1:24) Dusty May Leaving Michigan For Mavericks HC Job

(8:00) Danny Kanell's Moral Support For Florida State Fans

(10:37) LSU QB Sam Leavitt Injury Update

(17:38) Pac-12 Realignment Breakdown

(27:01) Mountain West Realignment Breakdown

(34:16) MAC Realignment Breakdown

(40:49) Sun Belt Realignment Breakdown

(43:36) Conference USA Realignment Breakdown

(45:26) Future Realignment In College Football

(51:17) College World Series Thoughts

(53:27) USMNT World Cup Vibe Check

(58:30) Tom Fornelli's Book Club

-

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit ⁠the betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college football⁠.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/cover3⁠

Follow our hosts on Twitter: ⁠@Chip_Patterson⁠, ⁠@TomFornelli⁠, ⁠@DannyKanell⁠, ⁠@BudElliott3⁠

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/⁠

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

Bud Elliott sits down with Nick Osen to preview Wisconsin's 2026 season.

The guys discuss the pressure facing Luke Fickell as he looks to lead the Badgers back into Big Ten contention. They break down expectations for projected starting quarterback Colton Joseph, a productive dual-threat transfer from Old Dominion, and examine the key position groups that could determine Wisconsin's ceiling in 2026.

Can the Badgers take a step forward and re-emerge as a factor in the expanded Big Ten race?

🎟️ Get 60% off an annual 247Sports subscription: Use code SUMMER26

Wisconsin Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/

(0:00) Vibe in Madison
(2:17) Quarterbacks
(4:00) Running Backs
(6:00) Wide Receivers
(7:33) Offensive Line
(10:32) Defensive Improvements
(13:33) Defensive Line
(16:50) Secondary
(18:54) Schedule Breakdown

#cover3 #wisconsin #badgers #gobadgers #lukefickell #ACC #BigTen #SEC #Big12 #Football #CFB #CollegeFootball #TomFornelli #ChipPatterson #BudElliott #DannyKanell

🎥 WATCH

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▶︎Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbgC-U8crJaUtIV3hvmVTcZOI0fuiMV-b

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify:https://bit.ly/4eB7hQ6

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📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cover3podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscfb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscfb?lang=en

▶︎Chip Patterson: https://x.com/Chip_Patterson

▶︎Bud Elliot: https://x.com/BudElliott3

▶︎Tom Fornelli: https://x.com/TomFornelli

▶︎Danny Kanell: https://x.com/dannykanell

Bud Elliott sits down with David Eickholt of 247Sports to preview Iowa’s 2026 season.

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Iowa Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/iowa/

-

(00:00) Intro

(1:07) Vibe After Last Year

(3:32) QB Battle Between Jeremy Hecklinski & Hank Brown

(7:13) Running Backs

(9:56) Wide Receivers

(14:55) Offensive Line

(17:09) Defensive Line

(20:19) Linebackers

(23:19) Secondary

(25:37) Tight End DJ Vonnahme

(27:16) LB Cam Buffington

(28:22) Schedule Breakdown

-

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit ⁠the betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college football⁠.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/cover3⁠

Follow our hosts on Twitter: ⁠@Chip_Patterson⁠, ⁠@TomFornelli⁠, ⁠@DannyKanell⁠, ⁠@BudElliott3⁠

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/⁠

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

Bud Elliott sits down with Tim Fitzgerald of GoPowercat to preview Kansas State's 2026 season.

The Wildcats enter a new era as Collin Klein returns to Manhattan to take over his alma mater following the retirement of longtime head coach Chris Klieman. Bud and Fitz discuss expectations for Klein in year one, Avery Johnson's return for his senior season, and whether Kansas State can remain a contender in the Big 12 despite the coaching transition.

🎟️ Get 60% off an annual 247Sports subscription: Use code SUMMER26

Kansas State Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/kansas-state/

(0:00) New Coaching Staff

(3:10) Quarterbacks

(4:49) Running Backs

(5:40) Wide Receivers

(6:55) Offensive Line

(7:53) Optimism at Offense

(10:17) Defensive Scheme

(12:20) Defensive Line

(13:45) Linebackers

(14:30) Secondary

(16:29) Schedule Breakdown

🎥 WATCH

• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

• Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live

• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

▶︎Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbgC-U8crJaUtIV3hvmVTcZOI0fuiMV-b

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify:https://bit.ly/4eB7hQ6

• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://apple.co/3O9zS4j

• Other CBS Sports podcasts: https://cbssports.com/podcast

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cover3podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscfb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscfb?lang=en

▶︎Chip Patterson: https://x.com/Chip_Patterson

▶︎Bud Elliot: https://x.com/BudElliott3

▶︎Tom Fornelli: https://x.com/TomFornelli

▶︎Danny Kanell: https://x.com/dannykanell

Bud Elliott sits down with Alec Busse of 247Sports to preview Iowa State’s 2026 season.

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Iowa State Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/iowa-state/

-

(00:00) Intro 

(00:52) Differences Between Jimmy Rogers & Matt Campbell

(3:00) Tyler Roehl at Offensive Coordinator

(4:39) QB Jaylen Raynor

(6:16) Running Backs

(8:14) Offensive Line

(10:00) Wide Receivers

(11:43) Defensive Look / Scheme

(14:51) Isaac Terrell

(16:00) Linebackers

(17:52) Injury Updates

(19:17) Schedule Breakdown

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit ⁠the betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college football⁠.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/cover3⁠

Follow our hosts on Twitter: ⁠@Chip_Patterson⁠, ⁠@TomFornelli⁠, ⁠@DannyKanell⁠, ⁠@BudElliott3⁠

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/⁠

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

The Cover 3 crew is back to dive into the mailbag and answer your questions! The guys also will put a bow on the Brendan Sorsby situation (for now), discuss Tom Fornelli's top 5 heartbreak candidates, and much more!

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(00:00) Intro

(3:13) Win Total Wild Cards

(10:54) Tom Fornelli’s 2026 Heartbreak Teams

(25:31) Cincinnati In The Brendan Sorsby Spotlight

(31:10) Best & Worst Karma In 2026

(38:50) Tom Fornelli’s Book Club

(43:00) College World Series Thoughts

(47:49) Mario Cristobal vs Billy Napier In An Escape Room

(50:00) Worst College Football Takes

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Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Visit ⁠the betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college football⁠.

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/cover3⁠

Follow our hosts on Twitter: ⁠@Chip_Patterson⁠, ⁠@TomFornelli⁠, ⁠@DannyKanell⁠, ⁠@BudElliott3⁠

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/⁠

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/