Buffalo Bulls

Buffalo entered 2026 with a new offensive coordinator in Tony Tokarz and significant turnover on both lines. The Bulls returned only one starter on the offensive line (Alex Heininger) and one on the defensive line (Cornell Evans), and they lost All-American linebacker Red Murdock and defensive coordinator Joe Bowen. The result has been an up-and-down season: a 4-3 record with a 2-1 mark in MAC play. The offense has shown flashes, but consistency has been elusive.

Redshirt freshman Jason Wright has had a typical first-year starting experience. He threw three touchdown passes in the opener against UAlbany (all to Chance Morrow) but also had a strip-sack that led to an Albany score. Against Penn State, he completed just 10 of 25 passes for 60 yards and was under constant pressure. He has shown dual-threat ability (95 rushing yards vs. Robert Morris, a rushing touchdown vs. Western Michigan) but has also thrown interceptions and fumbled. His development is the key to the offense's ceiling.

Chance Morrow has emerged as a true No. 1 receiver. He caught all three of Wright's touchdown passes in Week 1, then exploded for 173 yards and two scores at FIU. Messiah Burch has provided a spark in the run game, including a career-high 172 yards against UMass and an 87-yard touchdown run at Toledo. Burch's big-play ability has been crucial, but the run game has been inconsistent behind an overhauled line.

The secondary returned experienced corners Kobi Blackwell and Keontez Bradley and nickel SaVeon Brown, but the pass defense has been torched by credible quarterbacks. FIU's JJ Kohl threw for 367 yards and three scores, and Penn State's Rocco Becht threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. The pass rush has been nearly nonexistent, leaving the secondary exposed. However, the defense has made key plays in wins: Stevie Bracey's goal-line tackle sealed the UAlbany win, and Sedrick Vessah recorded a safety against UMass. The return of experienced defensive backs should help as the season progresses.

Pete Lembo is known for special teams discipline, but the unit has been inconsistent. Kicker Oliver Hautanen has made field goals (three against Toledo, three against UMass) but also missed two against Robert Morris. Punter Ethan Stumpf has been inconsistent. However, the return game has shown promise: Phillip Folmar had a 71-yard kickoff return against UMass, and Joseph Stoever recovered a muffed punt. Special teams could be a deciding factor in close MAC games.