College Football Top 25 Pre-Spring Rankings for 2026

Spring practice is the first look at how all 138 college football teams stack up for the 2026 season. And with workouts underway across the nation, it’s never too early to rank the top 25 teams. Last year's champion Indiana opens spring practice at No. 5, but coach Curt Cignetti's squad is still in a top tier of contenders that features Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame, and Oregon. Miami checks in at No. 7 prior to spring practice, and coach Mario Cristobal's squad could easily play its way into consideration in that top tier behind quarterback Darian Mensah.

Several teams outside of the top 10 provide intrigue prior to spring practice. Ole Miss (No. 12) returns two of the nation's top players in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. This spring is the first look at how this team continues to adapt to new coach Pete Golding. USC (No. 14) has the offensive firepower to make a playoff run. But will coach Lincoln Riley's defense step up under new coordinator Gary Patterson?

After an active transfer portal, along with over 30 coaching changes, this spring is crucial to get an extended look at how every team has replaced key losses from last season, adapted to new coaches, or which players took the next step in their development.

Athlon Sports examines the pre-spring top 25 teams for the '26 college football season. Expect plenty of changes to this list by the end of spring practice.

Pre-Spring Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

College Football Pre-Spring Top 25 Rankings for 2026

25. Arizona
The Wildcats have plenty of turnover with just eight returning starters from last year’s squad that won nine games. However, coach Brent Brennan’s team brings back quarterback Noah Fifita, and solidified the receiving corps and secondary through the portal after heavy attrition.

24. Boise State
The Broncos open spring practice as the top team in the revamped Pac-12 and No. 1 among programs from the Group of 6 conferences. Just four starters return on defense, but quarterback Maddux Madsen and running back Dylan Riley provide a strong foundation on offense.

23. SMU
SMU has holes to fill in the receiving corps, defensive front, and in the secondary, but coach Rhett Lashlee’s team can lean on quarterback Kevin Jennings to stay in the mix for a spot in the ACC title game. Lashlee also added help from the portal to minimize the transition period.

Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

22. Iowa
Just six starters are back for the Hawkeyes, but it’s safe to assume coach Kirk Ferentz will find the right answers this spring. Behind guard/center Kade Pieper and tackle Trevor Lauck, Iowa should have one of the Big Ten’s top offensive lines this fall.

21. Louisville
The standout one-two punch of running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown headline coach Jeff Brohm’s team in ‘26. Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz is intriguing, while a revamped offensive line and defense will decide just how high the Cardinals climb in the ACC.

20. Penn State
Over 20 players - including quarterback Rocco Becht - followed coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to his new home at Penn State. The Nittany Lions also benefit from a favorable schedule that misses Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon in Big Ten play.

• Related: Grading College Football's New Coach Hires for 2026

19. Houston
The Cougars ride momentum into ‘26 after a 10-3 finish last season. Coach Willie Fritz’s squad also returns the most starters (12) of any team in the Big 12. Quarterback Conner Weigman headlines the key returners, and former Tulane standout running back Makhi Hughes arrives from the portal to restock the backfield.

18. Utah
Can new coach Morgan Scalley keep Utah near the top of the Big 12? The Utes return dynamic quarterback Devon Dampier, but there are question marks surrounding a revamped offensive and defensive line.

17. Washington
With quarterback Demond Williams returning after a brief entry into the portal, the Huskies aim to take the next step from 9-4 into the playoff mix. Coach Jedd Fisch has to reload around Williams, but four starters return up front. The defense is also in transition with just four returning starters.

16. BYU
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin return to lead a BYU offense that averaged 31.4 points a game last season. Restocking the receiving corps tops the list of spring priorities for play-caller Aaron Roderick. Coach Kalani Sitake’s defense is under new leadership (Kelly Poppinga), but seven starters are back.

15. Alabama
The Crimson Tide enter spring practice with more question marks than the program has had in recent years. Just five starters are back, with receiver Ryan Williams the lone returner on offense. A revamped offensive line, along with the development of quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, top the list of spring priorities.

• Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

14. USC
With quarterback Jayden Maiava and an experienced offensive line returning, the Trojans are poised to push for a spot in the College Football Playoff. How effective USC is at replacing standout receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, along with the development of the defense under new coordinator Gary Patterson, are storylines that loom large this spring.

13. Michigan
Quarterback Bryce Underwood is poised for a major step forward in his second year under new coordinator Jason Beck. Coach Kyle Whittingham assembled a standout staff for his Ann Arbor debut, which includes former BYU coordinator Jay Hill, who should help to keep the Wolverines among the best in the Big Ten on defense.

12. Ole Miss
With quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy returning, Pete Golding inherits one of the best situations for a first-year coach. Golding is already off to a good start with two victories in the College Football Playoff and put his stamp on the program with a strong transfer portal class that brought help for both sides of the ball.

11. Oklahoma
The Sooners return five starters on defense, but it’s safe to assume coach Brent Venables will find the right answers on that side of the ball. The offense seems poised for a step forward in ‘26. Quarterback John Mateer is back to 100 percent after battling a thumb injury last season and the supporting cast was upgraded through the portal.

• Pre-Spring Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC

10. LSU
New coach Lane Kiffin quickly reshaped LSU’s roster with 40 transfers from the portal. Kiffin’s transfer haul was arguably the best in the nation with standouts in quarterback Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), offensive lineman Jordan Seaton (Colorado), and defenders Princewill Umanmielen (Ole Miss), Jordan Ross (Tennessee), and T.J. Dottery (Ole Miss). The Bayou Bengals should be much-improved in ‘26.

9. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders appear poised to successfully defend their Big 12 title with another standout transfer class arriving in Lubbock this spring. Including a hefty haul up front on the defensive side, quarterback Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati) should ensure the offense doesn’t miss a beat in ‘26. Coach Joey McGuire’s team also returns one of the top backfields in the nation.

8. Texas A&M
After making the College Football Playoff last year, the Aggies hope to take the next step and make a deeper run in ‘26. For coach Mike Elko’s team to accomplish that goal, new coordinator Holmon Wiggins has to help quarterback Marcel Reed’s progression after a solid ‘25 campaign. New faces from the transfer portal have to emerge to restock both lines of scrimmage.

7. Miami
The Hurricanes are still searching for the program’s first ACC title, but coach Mario Cristobal’s team will enter ‘26 as a heavy favorite to accomplish that goal after nearly taking home the national title last year. Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah was one of the top pickups from the portal, with running back Mark Fletcher and receiver Malachi Toney among the ACC’s best returning players.

6. Oregon
Quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to pass on the NFL for one more season in Eugene could lift Oregon to a national title. The Ducks have plenty of skill talent to deploy around Moore, but a revamped offensive line is under the spotlight this offseason. Additionally, this spring should provide ample insight into how Oregon’s new coordinators on both sides of the ball are handling the transition.

5. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish should be motivated after last year’s College Football Playoff snub. Coach Marcus Freeman’s team could be favored in all 12 of its regular season games, and the depth chart returns plenty of experience (15 returning starters) and star power with quarterback CJ Carr to make a deep run in ‘26.

• Related: Projecting Notre Dame's Over/Under Win Total for 2026

4. Indiana
Repeating as national champion won’t be easy, but it’s safe to assume coach Curt Cignetti will keep this team in the mix for a deep playoff run. In addition to 10 returning starters, the Hoosiers added a handful of impact transfers, including quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU), running back Turbo Richard (Boston College), receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State, defensive linemen Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State) and Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame) and defensive back A.J. Harris (Penn State).

3. Texas
After falling short of expectations in ‘25, the Longhorns are poised for a quick rebound back into national title contention. Quarterback Arch Manning was playing his best ball at the end of the ‘25 campaign, and coach Steve Sarkisian bolstered the offensive line and skill talent through the portal. Transfers in receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn) and running backs Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State) will help to elevate this offense in ‘26. This spring is the first look at the defense under new coordinator Will Muschamp.

2. Georgia
Kirby Smart’s team opens spring practice with few glaring concerns. The defense and ground attack should carry the Bulldogs far in ‘26. If quarterback Gunner Stockton takes a step forward, and the receiving corps fills a couple of voids, the offense will be even more dangerous this fall.

• Related: College Football's Biggest Winners in the 2026 Transfer Portal

1. Ohio State
Ohio State lost several key defenders from last year’s standout group. However, with quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, this team will be back in the hunt to win it all in ‘26. Coordinator Matt Patricia should eventually find the right answers on defense. And as always in Columbus, there’s no shortage of talent waiting to emerge.