Ohio State Tops 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll Top 25

The 2026 college football preseason Coaches' Poll top 25 was released by USA TODAY on Tuesday. Ohio State comes in at No. 1 overall in the first Top 25 poll of the 2026 season. The Buckeyes, led by star quarterback Julian Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, suffered a surprising loss to ...

by Andrew Holleran

Aug 4, 2026

Preseason Top 25.

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The 2026 college football preseason Coaches' Poll top 25 was released by USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Ohio State comes in at No. 1 overall in the first Top 25 poll of the 2026 season. The Buckeyes, led by star quarterback Julian Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, suffered a surprising loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals last season. While Ohio State suffered some big losses on defense, including Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, a lot of talent is returning to Columbus.

The Buckeyes will open the year as the national title favorite frontrunners, at least in the minds of the coaches across the country. Oregon, meanwhile, comes in at No. 2 overall, giving the Big Ten the country's top two teams. The top five is rounded out by Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame.

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates after he runs for a touchdown during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Indiana, last season's national champions, come in at No. 6 overall. The Hoosiers lost Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza to the NFL, but bring in some big transfers and returning talent on both sides of the football.

Miami, which lost to Indiana in the College Football Playoff national title game, is No. 7 overall. The Hurricanes lost quarterback Carson Beck to the NFL.

Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss round out the Top 10.

Coaches' Poll preseason Top 25

Here's the complete Top 25, from USA TODAY:

Ohio State
Oregon
Georgia
Texas
Notre Dame
Indiana
Miami
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Ole Miss
Alabama
Texas Tech
LSU
USC
BYU
Michigan
Penn State
Tennessee
Washington
SMU
Utah
Iowa
Clemson
Houston
Missouri

The following teams received votes: Louisville 153; Florida 147; TCU 63; Illinois 62; South Carolina 50; Arizona 50; Virginia 40; Vanderbilt 37; Auburn 29; Georgia Tech 26; Boise State 24; Oklahoma State 22; UNLV 17; North Carolina State 13; Florida State 13; Virginia Tech 12; Nebraska 12; Memphis 9; Arizona State 8; James Madison 6; Duke 6; Pittsburgh 4; New Mexico 4; Western Michigan 3; Navy 3; San Diego State 2; Kansas State 1; Jacksonville State 1; Hawaii 1; California 1.