2026 College Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

Too Early? Never.

It's February, which means it's the perfect time to overreact to recruiting classes and transfer portal moves. Here are our way-too-early 2026 preseason rankings — complete with analysis on why each team lands where it does.

These rankings factor in returning production, recruiting class strength, transfer portal additions, coaching stability, and schedule difficulty. We'll update throughout spring and summer as spring games, portal windows, and depth charts take shape.

Top 10

1. Georgia Bulldogs

2025 record: Playoff semifinalist | Key returnees: 16 starters

Kirby Smart reloads, never rebuilds. The defensive line might be the best unit in the country, and the QB room is stacked after another elite recruiting class. Georgia's development machine continues to produce NFL-ready talent at every position.

Why #1: Best combination of returning talent, recruiting, and coaching. The defense is terrifying, and the offense has a potential Heisman QB. The SEC schedule is brutal, but Georgia has the depth to survive it.

Key matchups: at Texas (Oct), vs. Alabama (Nov), vs. Georgia Tech (Nov)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

2025 record: Big Ten champion | Key returnees: 14 starters

Ryan Day's roster is obscenely talented. The offensive line returns four starters — a massive advantage in the trenches. The receiving corps is the deepest in the Big Ten, and the defensive coordinator's scheme is evolving into something special.

Why #2: Talent-for-talent, Ohio State rivals Georgia. The question is whether the offense clicks early or needs time to gel. The schedule is manageable with most big games at home.

Key matchups: vs. Oregon (Oct), at Penn State (Nov), vs. Michigan (Nov)

3. Texas Longhorns

2025 record: SEC runner-up | Key returnees: 15 starters

Year three of the SEC era, and Texas isn't just surviving — they're contending. The defense should be elite again with a defensive line that disrupts everything, and the offense has a Heisman-caliber quarterback who could be the #1 NFL draft pick.

Why #3: Texas has the defensive foundation and QB talent to win the SEC. The question is offensive line depth after losing two starters.

Key matchups: vs. Georgia (Oct), at LSU (Nov), vs. Texas A&M (Nov)

4. Oregon Ducks

2025 record: Playoff quarterfinalist | Key returnees: 13 starters

The Big Ten's other contender. Oregon's transfer portal haul addressed every weakness from last season, and the coaching staff has proven they can integrate portal players quickly. The program has developed a winning culture that's self-sustaining.

Why #4: Oregon's ceiling is a national championship. The floor is the Big Ten championship game. That's a program in an elite position.

Key matchups: at Ohio State (Oct), vs. USC (Nov), at Washington (Nov)

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

2025 record: Playoff first round | Key returnees: 12 starters

The post-Saban era is finding its footing, and the foundation is still formidable. Recruiting is still top-5 nationally, and the talent gap between Alabama and the rest of the SEC (outside Georgia and Texas) hasn't closed. The defensive coaching hire could be the move that brings this program back to championship level.

Why #5: Raw talent alone makes Alabama a top-5 team. The coaching is improving. If the quarterback takes a leap, this team could be dangerous.

Key matchups: at LSU (Nov), vs. Auburn (Nov), at Georgia (Nov)

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

2025 record: Big Ten semifinalist | Key returnees: 15 starters

Consistency is the brand. James Franklin has another 10-win floor team with an improved passing game that could raise the ceiling. The defensive front seven is one of the best in the country, and the special teams are always a weapon.

Why #6: Penn State returns more production than any other top-10 team. Experience matters in tight games, and PSU will be in a lot of those.

Key matchups: vs. Ohio State (Nov), at Michigan (Oct), vs. Wisconsin (Sep)

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2025 record: Playoff semifinalist | Key returnees: 14 starters

Marcus Freeman has the Irish in annual contention. The roster is deeper than it's been in decades, and the independent schedule gives them flexibility. Notre Dame's defense was elite last year and returns seven starters.

Why #7: Freeman is building something sustainable. The schedule is favorable for an undefeated regular season, which guarantees a playoff spot.

Key matchups: vs. USC (Oct), at Ohio State (Sep), vs. Clemson (Nov)

8. Clemson Tigers

2025 record: ACC champion | Key returnees: 13 starters

Back. The defense is legitimately terrifying — among the best in program history in terms of raw talent. The offense finally has the weapons to keep up, with a QB who can make every throw and an offensive line that's the best Dabo Swinney has had in years.

Why #8: Clemson's defense alone makes them a top-10 team. If the offense is average, they win the ACC. If it's good, they're a playoff threat.

Key matchups: at Notre Dame (Nov), vs. Florida State (Oct), vs. South Carolina (Nov)

9. LSU Tigers

2025 record: 10-3, bowl win | Key returnees: 14 starters

Brian Kelly's roster is maturing. The secondary was the weakness — not anymore after a top-3 defensive back recruiting class. LSU's offensive firepower is always among the best in the country, and now the defense is catching up.

Why #9: LSU has the offensive ceiling to beat anyone. The question is defensive consistency over a full SEC schedule.

Key matchups: vs. Alabama (Nov), at Texas (Nov), vs. Ole Miss (Oct)

10. Michigan Wolverines

2025 record: 9-4 | Key returnees: 12 starters

Reloading after losing significant talent to the NFL. The offensive line pipeline keeps producing, and the defense has elite upside with underclassmen who flashed as freshmen. The coaching staff is stable and the program culture is strong.

Why #10: Michigan's floor is high because of the running game and defense. The ceiling depends on quarterback development.

Key matchups: vs. Ohio State (Nov), vs. Penn State (Oct), at Michigan State (Oct)

11-25 Quick Hits

| Rank | Team | Key Storyline | |------|------|--------------| | 11 | Ole Miss | Lane Kiffin always has an offense — can the defense finally match? | | 12 | USC | Talent is there, consistency is the question. Second year in Big Ten. | | 13 | Miami | Mario Cristobal is building something real. Best recruiting run in a decade. | | 14 | Tennessee | The offensive firepower is undeniable. Defense needs one more piece. | | 15 | Florida State | Bounce-back year. Too much talent for another disappointing season. | | 16 | Missouri | Don't sleep on the Tigers. Elite coaching and experienced roster. | | 17 | Utah | Kyle Whittingham keeps producing. The machine doesn't stop. | | 18 | Oklahoma | Year two in the SEC, better prepared. The roster turnover is complete. | | 19 | Kansas State | Chris Klieman's program is legit. Best-coached team in the Big 12. | | 20 | Wisconsin | Luke Fickell's rebuild ahead of schedule. Defense-first identity restored. | | 21 | Iowa State | Underrated as always. Matt Campbell's best roster to date. | | 22 | Louisville | Jeff Brohm has transformed this program. Electric offense. | | 23 | Arizona | Brent Brennan building in the Big 12. Strong roster for year two. | | 24 | Colorado | Deion's program is maturing. Portal strategy evolving to sustainable model. | | 25 | Texas A&M | The talent is there, execution is the question. Always the question. |

Dark Horses

Teams just outside the top 25 that could crash the party:

• James Madison — Don't @ us. The Sun Belt is getting scary, and JMU has the coaching and culture to pull upsets.
• Boise State — If Ashton Jeanty somehow returned (he didn't), they'd be top 15. Even without him, the program is built to win.
• Iowa — If the three-point shooting... wait, wrong sport. If the offense clicks under the new coordinator, a defense this good makes them dangerous.
• UCF — The Big 12 darling. Year three in the conference with a loaded roster.

Key Dates to Watch

| Date | Event | |------|-------| | April | Transfer portal window opens | | April-May | Spring games across the country | | May | Recruiting dead period ends | | August 29 | Week 0 games | | September 5-6 | Full Week 1 slate | | December | Conference championship games | | December-January | College Football Playoff (12 teams) |

Check back throughout spring and summer as we update these rankings with spring game takeaways, transfer portal movement, and emerging storylines.