The 2026 college football season kicks off in less than 25 days, and with fall practice underway, it’s time to preview and project the top 25 teams in the nation. The Big Ten has won three national titles in a row, and Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon all have the pieces in place to extend the conference's championship streak. The SEC has two title contenders in the top five with Georgia and Texas, along with a handful of intriguing teams in the second tier, led by Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU and Ole Miss.
Outside the top teams from the Big Ten and SEC, Notre Dame and Miami rank among the biggest title challengers. The Fighting Irish are out for revenge after last season's playoff snub, while the Hurricanes aim to build on their run to the national championship game. Texas Tech (No. 12) is the highest projected team from the Big 12.
These rankings will evolve throughout the season, but with Week Zero around the corner and fresh intel arriving daily from fall practice, this preseason top 25 offers an early power ranking of where teams stand heading into the year.
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Biggest Strength: Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Americans Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper return to headline one of the Big Ten’s top offensive lines.
Biggest Fall Question: The defense returns only three starters, but there’s a high trust factor with coordinator Phil Parker to find the right answers. The biggest concern rests at quarterback with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski battling for the No. 1 spot.
Biggest Strength: Quarterback Maddux Madsen and the one-two punch of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines at running back headline a Boise State squad that ranks as the top Group of 6 team. Defensive end Jayden Virgin-Morgan is an Athlon Sports preseason All-American.
Biggest Fall Question: Coach Spencer Danielson has a few holes to fill on defense. Linebacker and the secondary are under the spotlight this fall.
Biggest Strength: Running back Isaac Brown returns to lead one of the nation’s top backfields. The Cardinals also feature one of the ACC’s best defensive fronts.
Biggest Fall Question: How quickly will Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz develop with a huge showdown against Ole Miss in Week 1? Coach Jeff Brohm also needs to reload on the offensive line.
Biggest Strength: Scoring points won’t be a problem with quarterback Kevin Jennings and one of the nation’s top offensive lines returning.
Biggest Fall Question: The defense has a new play-caller (Maurice Crum Jr.) and returns only four starters. The Mustangs may need time to mesh on this side of the ball.
Biggest Strength: The Volunteers boast a strong supporting cast for the winner of the quarterback battle. The offensive line is among the SEC’s best, running back DeSean Bishop returns after recording 1,076 yards last year, and the receiving corps features TK Keys, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley. The defense should also improve under new coordinator Jim Knowles
Biggest Fall Question: How far will the defense progress under Knowles? Edge rusher is a concern after Chaz Coleman’s summer departure. Will coach Josh Heupel settle on a winner in the quarterback battle between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon?
Biggest Strength: New coach Morgan Scalley and coordinator Colton Swan should keep Utah’s defense among the best in the Big 12. Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin return to give the Utes a dynamic duo at quarterback.
Biggest Fall Question: A revamped offensive line with five new starters tops the list of preseason concerns. More playmakers need to emerge at wide receiver for Dampier to thrive.
Biggest Strength: After winning 10 games last season, the Cougars are poised for another step forward in 2026. Quarterback Conner Weigman and receiver Amare Thomas return, with a pair of transfers in running back Makhi Hughes (Oregon) and guard Shadre Hurst (Tulane) providing a boost to an offense that averaged 29.1 points a game.
Biggest Fall Question: It’s hard to find a glaring concern on this team. However, coach Willie Fritz needs the offensive line to show marked improvement. Also, there are holes to fill on defense with six starters back.
Biggest Strength: A fresh start under new coach Matt Campbell helps after a disappointing 2025 season. A large transfer portal class that includes a handful of players that followed Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley - including quarterback Rocco Becht - will ease the overall transition. The schedule is among the easiest in the Big Ten.
Biggest Fall Question: How fast will the new coaching staff, schemes, transfers and returning players mesh this fall?
Biggest Strength: Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back after ranking second in the Big Ten in total offense last year. Optimism is also running high for true freshman Kodi Greene to emerge as one of the starters on the offensive line.
Biggest Fall Question: The supporting cast around Williams is retooled with running back Jonah Coleman and receiver Denzel Boston off to the NFL. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters is also navigating some transition with just four starters back.
Biggest Strength: Coach Kalani Sitake’s team doesn’t have many weaknesses. The defense is among the best in college football, with quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin returning to lead the offense.
Biggest Fall Question: A revamped receiving corps. BYU must replace its top three targets from last season.
Biggest Strength: The Crimson Tide have a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell to sort out, but coach Kalen DeBoer has two capable options under center. Ryan Coleman-Williams is back to lead a standout receiving corps. The secondary might be the best in college football.
Biggest Fall Question: The trenches. Alabama’s rushing attack averaged only 2.9 yards per carry in SEC play last season and faces a significant overhaul up front this fall. A revamped defensive front is also a question mark.
Biggest Strength: The Trojans are arguably positioned for their best run at the College Football Playoff under coach Lincoln Riley. Scoring points won’t be a problem with quarterback Jayden Maiava back to pilot the offense, and optimism is high the defense will take a step forward under new coordinator Gary Patterson.
Biggest Fall Question: But will the defense actually improve in 2026? With improved personnel and Patterson’s scheme, USC has high hopes the defense will turn a corner this fall.
Biggest Strength:New coach Kyle Whittingham is one of the top hires for 2026 and brings much-needed stability. The Wolverines return a rising star at quarterback in Bryce Underwood and a standout one-two punch of Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter at running back. With one of the Big Ten’s top offensive lines and defenses in place, Michigan has all of the pieces to contend for a College Football Playoff spot.
Biggest Fall Question: Can Underwood and the Wolverines show progress in the passing game? Linebacker depth is a concern on defense.
Biggest Strength: Despite quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s departure, the Red Raiders are still the most complete team in the Big 12. A deep backfield to power the rushing attack, along with a standout defense, will help ease quarterback Will Hammond into the full-time role.
Biggest Fall Question: Hammond is on the mend from a torn ACL suffered last October. Is there any early rust in his first full year as the starter?
Biggest Strength: Offensive firepower. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy return to lead one of the nation’s top offenses. New coach Pete Golding added help through the portal to improve the depth and talent on defense.
Biggest Fall Question: The Rebels should improve on defense in 2026. But how far will this group improve? Finding two new starters at offensive tackle is Golding’s biggest priority.
Biggest Strength: New coach Lane Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. should jumpstart a LSU offense that struggled mightily last season. The personnel is in place for a big step forward, including transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (Colorado). The defense should remain among the best in the SEC under coordinator Blake Baker.
Biggest Fall Question: Expectations are high for Kiffin’s debut. How fast will all of the new pieces mesh with Kiffin’s schemes? For LSU to make the playoff, significant improvement is needed from the rushing attack and offensive line.
Biggest Strength: Coach Mike Elko should assemble one of the best defenses in the SEC once again. Quarterback Marcel Reed returns after throwing for 3,169 yards, and the Aggies have one of the top receiving corps in the nation with Mario Craver and Isaiah Horton leading the way.
Biggest Fall Question: The offense has a new play-caller (Holmon Wiggins) and must break in four new starters on the line.
Biggest Strength: Defense. The Sooners had one of the top units in college football last season and shouldn’t miss a beat in 2026. Optimism is also high for offensive improvement with quarterback John Mateer now healthy after battling a thumb injury last year, along with an improved line and rushing attack.
Biggest Fall Question: Just how far will this offense improve? The pieces are in place for a step forward, but a Week 2 test at Michigan will be telling. Although the defense should be elite once again, depth is a concern at a few positions.
Biggest Strength: Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah (Duke) leads a dynamic offense also returning running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney. Miami returns six starters from a defense that allowed only 14.8 points per game.
Biggest Fall Question: Coach Mario Cristobal’s squad doesn’t have many glaring concerns. How fast will an offensive line breaking in four new starters mesh?
Biggest Strength: The Ducks are loaded for a run at the program’s first national championship behind quarterback Dante Moore and a defense returning eight starters after holding teams to 17.9 points a game last year.
Biggest Fall Question: Not much. Both sides of the ball are breaking in new coordinators, which could require some transition. The offensive line might be a work in progress early with three starters.
Biggest Strength: Balance. The Hoosiers return one of the nation’s top defenses and will reload on offense behind transfer quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU) and receiver Charlie Becker. This team lacks a glaring weakness.
Biggest Fall Question: Repeating as a national champion is tough, especially when navigating significant personnel losses like quarterback Fernando Mendoza and receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt. Trust in coach Curt Cignetti is high. However, there’s a reason few teams are able to win back-to-back titles.
Biggest Strength: Quarterback CJ Carr is back after a standout freshman season, and the Fighting Irish could have the best offensive line in the nation. After a slow start in 2025, Notre Dame’s defense played significantly better over the second half of the schedule. This unit should take another step forward.
Biggest Fall Question: Any concerns about coach Marcus Freeman’s teams are minor. Running back Jeremiyah Love will be missed, but a capable group of options is waiting to step up in the backfield. A step forward is needed from the receiving corps. However, Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse are back, while Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham will provide a boost.
Biggest Strength:Arch Manning found his stride late in the season and returns as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Coach Steve Sarkisian upgraded the offensive line and supporting cast from the portal, including Auburn transfer receiver Cam Coleman. New coordinator Will Muschamp promises a more aggressive approach on defense - a unit that includes one of college football’s top ends in Colin Simmons.
Biggest Fall Question: Will the Longhorns reach their potential after last year’s disappointment? Sarkisian’s team doesn’t have many concerns, but the defense must reload at linebacker and in the secondary.
Biggest Strength: The sum of the parts could lead Georgia back to a national championship. Quarterback Gunner Stockton returns, and the offense features one of the top lines and rushing attacks in the SEC. The Bulldogs will be strong on defense once again.
Biggest Fall Question: What’s the upside of the passing attack? The Bulldogs need new faces to emerge at receiver with the position undergoing significant turnover from last season.
Biggest Strength: Quarterback Julian Sayin returns after throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, and receiver Jeremiah Smith is arguably the best player in college football for 2026. The offensive line and rushing attack should also take a step forward this fall.
Biggest Fall Question: How fast can coordinator Matt Patricia find the right answers on a defense returning just three starters?
