College football conferences are constantly being held up for comparison. Which one is home to the most devout fans? Which one has the best media deal? Where does it just mean more?
There are all sorts of barometers for coaches, commissioners and fans to argue over throughout the offseason and into the start of a new season. (Aug. 29 is 44 days away, but who's counting?) But the results on the field are what matter most.
It can be difficult to compare teams across conferences with so few games played between them. And that will be even more true this season when the SEC and ACC join the Big Ten and Big 12 in playing nine conference games. But there are metrics we can use to project how these teams — and thus, their respective conferences — stack up against one another.
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Coaching changes, recruiting rankings, transfer rankings and our Top 138 team rankings all factor into the pecking order. Athlon Sports ranked all 10 FBS conferences — welcome back, Pac-12! — ahead of the 2026 season.
2026 CFB Preview: Bowl Projections | All-AmericaTeam | CFP Projections
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10. MAC
Fewer than half of the MAC reached bowl eligibility last season as the chaotic conference crowned a new champion for the sixth year in a row. There’s a top tier of Miami (Ohio), Toledo and reigning champ Western Michigan, but the worst of the MAC brings up the rear of the entire FBS.
MAC Preview:Predictions | Coach Ranks | All-Conference
9. Conference USA
Only half of Conference USA was even in the FBS before this decade. Still, there’s a solid core, especially if Liberty bounces back. Kennesaw State could have staying power, WKU is always in the mix, Jacksonville State has done nothing but win since its arrival and Delaware could be ready to contend, too.
CUSA Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
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8. Sun Belt
After the Sun Belt saw James Madison break through to the CFP, get ready for a step back after power conferences poached several of its top quarterbacks and coaches. The Dukes should stay competitive in the East with Georgia Southern and Old Dominion looming. Out West, newcomer Louisiana Tech can challenge Troy with Texas State out of the picture.
Sun Belt Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks| All-Conference
7. Mountain West
The Mountain West is almost unrecognizable after the latest round of realignment. San José State is the only active member that has won the league before. Boise State’s exit opens the door for perennial runner-up UNLV. The Rebels are among the early CFP contenders in the Group of 6. Hawaii and New Mexico project to have strong squads once again. Watch out if Air Force can get back on track and FCS powerhouse North Dakota State is ready for the FBS.
MWC Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
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6. American
The American was the only non-power conference untouched by realignment, though it did see more than a third of its coaches turn over. Can it withstand that brain drain and produce another CFP team? Look no further than Navy for the favorite. Memphis, South Florida and Tulane, which is coming off a breakthrough playoff berth, are all under new leadership.
American Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
5. Pac-12
Oregon State and Washington State stuck around to see the conference of champions reincarnated. Some of the new faces figure to vault to the top right away. Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State are all ready to win. Colorado State could soon join that class, too. There’s no obvious bottom-feeder in the Pac-12, which is trying a unique schedule format in hopes of producing a playoff team.
Pac-12 Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
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4. ACC
The ACC is top-heavy with Miami (Fla.) a clear favorite to win the league for the first time. Though there’s a drop off to the next tier of SMU and Louisville, it says a lot that the ceiling of the conference is a trip to the national championship game; that’s more than the SEC or Big 12 can say lately. It would do the ACC well if Clemson and Florida State found their footing.
ACC Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
3. Big 12
Texas Tech — flush with cash and another loaded roster — remains the team to beat. BYU knows all too well that’s a tall task. Utah and Houston were also humbled by the conference’s new power. Those are the biggest threats to unseat the champs. Arizona and Arizona State can also throw a wrench into that race. Teams under new leadership, like Kansas State and Oklahoma State, make for an interesting middle of the pack.
Big 12 Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
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2. SEC
For all the talk of the SEC being left in the dust, it’s still home to many of the sport’s top programs. Georgia is the winningest team of the decade. The Texas hype may have just been a year ahead of schedule. And Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Alabama all have playoff expectations. The SEC has a deep middle class, and coaching changes at lagging programs, such as Florida and Auburn, could elevate the conference back to its heyday. With this many contenders, the league’s national title drought should be over soon rather than later.
SEC 2026 Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
1. Big Ten
The last three national champions all hail from the Big Ten. Michigan and Ohio State are traditional powers, and Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti isn’t going anywhere. Conventional wisdom would say that Oregon has to break through one of these years. That’s a strong contingent, while squads like USC, Iowa, Washington and Illinois make up a respectable second tier. In a conference this bloated, there will be bad teams, but the best of the Big Ten has the edge on the SEC’s elite until proven otherwise.
Big Ten Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks |All-Conference
