2026 Delaware Football Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & Schedule

Last year, Delaware head coach Ryan Carty and the Fightin’ Blue Hens made the most of the UD’s first season in the FBS. 

The Blue Hens owned one of the top offenses in Conference USA and finished the season 7-6 after defeating Louisiana in the 68 Ventures Bowl.

UD didn’t seem to have any issues making the jump in subdivisions and showed a lot of grit last season. I expect that to be the case again this year as it competes for a CUSA title.

Delaware Season Preview

The Blue Hens were among the top teams in the league in retaining key players from last season. I believe that retention shows the strong culture that’s in Dover.

Delaware Brings Back QB Nick Minicucci

Among the key returners is Minicucci, who was thrust into the QB1 role following a Week 1 injury to initial starter Zach Marker. Minicucci, a senior, went on to pass for 3,683 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 235 yards and a team-high 10 TDs on the ground to earn second-team All-CUSA honors. 

Minicucci has become a fan favorite because of his determination on the field. He’s consistently proven he’ll do what it takes to carry the Blue Hens to a victory and is arguably the best signal-caller in the conference.

Wide receiver Sean Wilson also earned second-team league honors last year after logging 68 receptions for 877 yards and three TDs. He will likely be in for a big season after each of the other top wideouts from last season are gone. 

Running backs Jo Silver and Viron Ellison Jr. nearly split carries last year and will both be back. Silver rushed for 652 yards while Ellison ran for 460.

The Blue Hens lost two first-team All-CUSA offensive linemen from a year ago but still have three starters returning in tackles Anthony Caccese and Noah Rosahac as well as center Steven Demboski. 

Delaware’s Defense Looks To Improve

There was a reason the Blue Hens found themselves in a few shootouts last season. The offense could score, but, at times, the defense struggled to contain opponents. They allowed 31 points and 405.3 yards per game. Both marks ranked in the bottom three in CUSA.

Returning for the defense this year are two guys I believe are potential league Defensive Player of the Year candidates. 

Safety KT Seay is one of them and was a Group of Five All-American last year and first-team all-conference. He finished with 91 total tackles and three interceptions. Junior linebacker Gavin Moul is another DPOY candidate and his 111 total tackles were third-most in CUSA. 

At the Bandit spot for the Blue Hens looks to be returning graduate Blake Matthews, who started nine games and had 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and four PBUs while Khalil Ali should also make some noise at the Rover spot. 

Cornerback Jamarion Kolagbodi was named to the CUSA All-Freshman team in 2025 after registering six pass breakups and one interception in six starts. Much of the rest of the secondary is inexperienced and features a lot of freshmen.

On the defensive line, graduate Noah Matthews will be back at defensive end after last year saw him earn 12 starts and tally 31 tackles, two sacks, and seven TFLs. Also a grad student, Dominick Brogna started four games and had 31 tackles and four TFLs while junior Trace Scott III started three games and finished with four TFLs and a team-high 4.5 sacks. 

One of the big pieces from last year’s roster that will need to be replaced is the kicker. Former kicker Nate Reed made some big time kicks last season, and it looks like junior Tucker Smack will be the next man up.

2026 Delaware Schedule

Delaware’s CUSA Championship Betting Odds

Delaware is currently listed at +700 to win CUSA. The Blue Hens have the fourth-shortest odds.

Delaware’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total

• Delaware’s win total Over/Under is at 6.5
• The Over is at +130
• The Under is at -165

Delaware’s Season Prediction

I predict Delaware will fall short of winning a Conference USA championship, but the Blue Hens  will go Over 6.5 wins. 

With all of its returning production and leaders on both sides of the ball, a strong resume of winning at home, and a solid coach, I think getting to seven victories is attainable for this group.  Even with a tough non-conference schedule that features a pair of Power Four programs and road games at Western Kentucky and Kennesaw State — two of the league favorites — I still think UD can win at least five league games. 

Getting to seven victories won’t be easy, but the Blue Hens exceeded expectations last year. I don’t think this year will be any different.