The 2026 college football season is almost here, and the buzz is real. Phil Steele just dropped his preseason poll, ranking every college team from 1 to 138, and fans are already arguing over the list.
Steele’s rankings are a yearly tradition and, honestly, a bit of a lifeline for football-starved fans in the summer. This year’s poll shakes things up with the usual giants and a few unexpected names near the top.
Top Teams in Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason Poll
Phil Steele’s preseason list always gets people talking. This year, the top spots are, predictably, packed with college football royalty, but each team has its own story going into the fall.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish at Number One
Notre Dame sits at number one. After just missing the College Football Playoff last season, the Irish are hungry for redemption.
They lost two first-rounders from their backfield, but quarterback CJ Carr and cornerback Leonard Moore are back. That, plus a strong recruiting class, has fans buzzing about Marcus Freeman’s squad.
Oregon Ducks: A Strong Contender
The Oregon Ducks land at number two. Quarterback Dante Moore surprised some folks by staying in school another year instead of heading to the NFL.
Oregon’s transfer portal moves were sharp, especially snagging safety Koi Perich from Minnesota. With wideouts Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart, plus a nasty pass rush led by Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, the Ducks look loaded.
Georgia Bulldogs: SEC Powerhouse
Georgia is the highest-ranked SEC squad, sitting at number three. Quarterback Gunner Stockton returns after guiding the Bulldogs to another SEC championship and a seventh-place Heisman finish.
The defense is as tough as ever, and with Stockton back, Georgia’s in the thick of the title chase once again.
Other Top Ten Teams to Watch
Beyond the top three, Steele’s list features a bunch of teams that could make serious noise this season.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Reloading for Another Run
Ohio State checks in at number four. They didn’t repeat as national champs, but the Buckeyes have restocked.
Quarterback Julian Sayin, a 2025 Heisman finalist, returns alongside receiver Jeremiah Smith. The defense, now in year two under Matt Patricia, is stacked with talent like EDGE Kenyatta Jackson.
Texas Longhorns: High Expectations
Texas is ranked fifth. Arch Manning turned heads with his late-season play last year, and expectations are sky-high.
The Longhorns added Auburn transfer Cam Coleman to the offense. On defense, new coordinator Will Muschamp joins star Colin Simmons as Texas aims for a big year.
Indiana Hoosiers: Defending Champions
Indiana, the defending champs, are sixth. They hit the transfer portal hard, landing the top-ranked portal class per the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index.
TCU transfer Josh Hoover is expected to take over for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza as Indiana tries to go back-to-back.
Oklahoma Sooners: Aiming for Redemption
Oklahoma sits at number seven, looking to build on last year’s Playoff run. Quarterback John Mateer is back, hoping to shake off a rough finish to 2025.
They also return key defenders like lineman David Stone and linebacker Owen Heinecke.
Ole Miss Rebels: New Leadership
Ole Miss is eighth after a big coaching change last season. Pete Golding took over and led the Rebels to the Playoff semifinals.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returns after winning a legal battle with the NCAA. John David Baker steps in as the new offensive coordinator.
Miami Hurricanes: Strong in the Trenches
Miami comes in at number nine. They just made a run to the national title game and bring back top offensive talent in Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney.
Duke transfer Darian Mensah is the new quarterback. On defense, Miami added former Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson.
USC Trojans: Building Momentum
USC rounds out the top ten. Quarterback Jayden Maiava returns, and 14 other starters are back from last year’s 9-4 team.
The Trojans also landed the No. 1 recruiting class per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Gary Patterson is now in charge of the defense.
Notable Teams Outside the Top Ten
There’s plenty of intrigue outside the top ten, too. A few big-name programs are lurking just a step behind.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 11th, which might raise some eyebrows. Still, with their recruiting and a bunch of returning talent, you can’t really count them out in the SEC.
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M is ranked 12th. The Aggies have a deep roster and an experienced staff, so they’re hoping to make some noise in the SEC this year.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan comes in at 14th. After a decent 2025, they’re looking to climb with a blend of veterans and fresh faces.
For the full rundown of Phil Steele’s preseason rankings, check out the article here: Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason Poll.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is almost here, and you can feel the buzz already. Phil Steele’s preseason poll gives us an early peek at who’s hot, who’s not, and who might surprise everyone.
Whether you live for Notre Dame, root for Oregon, or swear by Georgia, there’s a sense that something special could be brewing. Honestly, it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype.
Guess we’ll just have to watch it all play out. If you’re as impatient as I am, keep checking back for updates and maybe a little bit of chaos on the field.
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