The 2026 college football season is already stirring up some serious buzz. Teams are gearing up for what looks like another wild year of competition.
With winter workouts underway and spring practice creeping up, fans and analysts can’t help but wonder how the top teams will stack up. There’s an early ranking out from an AP voter—Ohio State sits at the top, with reigning national champ Indiana, Oregon, and Notre Dame right behind.
Let’s dig into what these rankings actually mean and what might be coming for the top contenders.
Ohio State: A Powerhouse Ready for Another Run
Ohio State looks set to dominate in 2026. They’re bringing back a dangerous mix of returning stars and some strategic new faces.
The Buckeyes have a remarkable trio: quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. This group should spark an explosive offense, especially with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith calling the shots.
Key Offensive Players
Even though they lost two-year starter Tegra Tshabola, the Buckeyes’ offensive line stays deep and experienced. That veteran presence ought to give Sayin the time he needs to connect with Jackson and Smith.
- Julian Sayin: Quarterback
- Bo Jackson: Running Back
- Jeremiah Smith: Wide Receiver
Defensive Outlook
Defensively, Ohio State’s managed to reload with young talent and some impact players from the transfer portal. Sure, they lost some big names, but there’s confidence they’ll keep up the high standard set by last year’s historic unit.
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia now has a lot of resources to play with. The Buckeyes’ defense should be a tough nut to crack.
Indiana: Proving the Doubters Wrong
Indiana, last season’s national champion, lands in second place in these early rankings. Head coach Curt Cignetti now faces the big question: can he keep the momentum going?
Bringing in TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover is a bold move, especially with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza gone.
Key Additions and Challenges
Hoover’s performance might just make or break Indiana’s shot at staying elite. The Hoosiers will have to blend new talent and keep up their strong play—everyone’s watching to see if they can pull it off.
- Josh Hoover: Quarterback (TCU Transfer)
- Curt Cignetti: Head Coach
Oregon: Ready to Break Through
Oregon grabs the third spot and has plenty to prove as a postseason contender. They return star quarterback Dante Moore, and if anything goes sideways, they’ve got two-year Nebraska starter Dylan Raiola waiting in the wings.
Head coach Dan Lanning has surrounded his quarterbacks with some real explosive weapons. Could this finally be the Ducks’ breakout year?
Quarterback Depth
Having Moore and Raiola gives Oregon a big edge. Moore brings experience, and Raiola’s ready if called upon—it’s a solid setup for the Ducks’ offense.
- Dante Moore: Quarterback
- Dylan Raiola: Backup Quarterback
- Dan Lanning: Head Coach
Notre Dame: Strengthening the Perimeter
Notre Dame rounds out the top four, mostly thanks to a couple of clever moves to boost their receiving group. The Irish landed Ohio State’s second-string receivers, Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham, to give quarterback C.J. Carr some new weapons.
Offensive Enhancements
These additions could really open things up for Notre Dame’s offense. Carr finally has the tools to elevate his game and maybe lead the Irish to something special.
- C.J. Carr: Quarterback
- Quincy Porter: Wide Receiver (OSU Transfer)
- Mylan Graham: Wide Receiver (OSU Transfer)
Other Notable Teams in the Top 25
The rest of the top 25 is a mixed bag of old favorites and some rising threats. Georgia, Texas, and Miami are all in the top ten, each bringing their own strengths and, let’s be honest, a few question marks.
Texas Tech, USC, and BYU sneak into the top ten as well. There’s always a surprise or two in these rankings.
Top Ten Highlights
Georgia sits at fifth, still a force in the SEC. Texas and Miami, at sixth and seventh, are both itching to make a statement.
Texas Tech lands at eighth—honestly, who saw that coming? USC and BYU round out the top ten.
- Georgia: Fifth Place
- Texas: Sixth Place
- Miami: Seventh Place
- Texas Tech: Eighth Place
- USC: Ninth Place
- BYU: Tenth Place
SEC and Big Ten Dominance
The SEC and Big Ten are everywhere in these rankings. Nine Big Ten teams and seven from the SEC made the cut.
That spread really does show just how deep and strong these conferences are—maybe too strong, depending on who you ask.
- Big Ten Teams: Nine
- SEC Teams: Seven
Conclusion: An Exciting Season Ahead
Looking at the 2026 college football season, those early rankings already hint at some wild competition. Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Notre Dame are all up there, each bringing something different to the table.
There’s just so much talent packed into the top 25. Honestly, it’s tough to predict how things will shake out. For the full rundown on those early rankings, you can check out the article on Cleveland.com.
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