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College Football Spring Rankings 2026: Completing the Top 50
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- College Football Spring Rankings 2026: Completing the Top 50
Most of the teams ranked 26 to 50 in our CFN college football spring rankings could - and probably will - spend time in the top 25.
Two things stand out. First, this group is loaded with Power Four programs. After the transfer portal settled down, not surprisingly, the bulk of the high-end talent ended up in the power conferences. Second, here's where the ACC dominates.
There's Miami, and there's everyone else in a dead-even conference - at least, that's the way it looks before spring ball - so if there's a glut of ACC teams here, that's because it should be another wide-open season.
The CFN spring rankings continue as we complete the top 50.
Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina (17) throws during Spring football practice at the Reeves Football Complex in Clemson, SC Wednesday, March 4, 2026.© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
CFN 2026 College Football Spring Rankings
Top 25
| 51-100
| 101-138
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CFN Spring 2026 Rankings 26-50: ACC Chaos and the Teams Ready to Crack the Top 25
50 Mississippi State
It'll be a Better Team, Tough Record situation. After needing a few years to build things up, Miss State has an offense that will be even more dangerous. Quarterback Kamario Taylor will be a statistical superstar.
Do everything else right.The O will be fine. The D? Ehhh, it'll be better. Overall, the penalties have to stop, and the special teams have to be airtight.
2025 Record:5-8
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:64
CFN 2025 Final Rank:57
Top Transfer In:Marquis Johnson, WR Missouri
Top Transfer Out:Luke Work, OT to Missouri
2026 Realistic Expectation:Come up with the first winning season since 2022
- 2026 Mississippi State Schedule Analysis
49 Northwestern
This, admittedly, could turn out to be way too low as the offseason goes on. There's a ton of talent coming in through the transfer portal, getting Chip Kelly to coach the offense was a coup, and …
The refurbished stadium really will be okay.It might not be until the middle of the season, but it'll be interesting to see if there's a boost once the Wildcats get comfortable.
2025 Record:7-6
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:67
CFN 2025 Final Rank:31
Top Transfer In:Aidan Chiles, QB Michigan State
Top Transfer Out:Anton Saka, EDGE to Texas A&M
2026 Realistic Expectation:Bowl appearance - be the team no one wants to play
- 2026 Northwestern Schedule Analysis
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48 Cal
These are spring rankings, and with several teams, we're taking a wait-and-see attitude. Cal might be at the top of the list with a fantastic haul of transfers and a star in QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to help new head coach Tosh Lupoi hit the ground running.
Seriously, Cal came up with a special run in the transfer portal.Lupoi did a magnificent sales job to raise the talent level in a hurry.
2025 Record:7-6
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:59
CFN 2025 Final Rank:55
Top Transfer In:Chase Hendrick, WR Ohio
Top Transfer Out:Cade Uluave, LB to BYU
2026 Realistic Expectation:Be in the ACC Championship mix
- 2026 Cal Schedule Analysis
47 Wake Forest
There are so many ACC teams all about the same level this season, but Wake Forest has one key positive - experience. This is a veteran group around QB Gio Lopez (North Carolina) to be even more dangerous.
Keep being disruptive.The Demon Deacons made a ton of plays behind the line and came up with a ton of fumble recoveries. Keep doing that.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:65
CFN 2025 Final Rank:36
Top Transfer In:KD Daniels, RB Florida
Top Transfer Out:Mateen Ibirogba, DT to Texas Tech
2026 Realistic Expectation:Stay in the ACC title hunt late
- 2026 Wake Forest Schedule Analysis
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46 Virginia
This lowish ranking isn't because we don't believe that last year was real; it's because the ACC is the ACC, and it should be someone else's turn. Missouri QB Beau Pribula will have the spotlight on this spring.
Keep owning third downs.Former quarterback Chandler Morris was brilliant at keeping the chains moving, and the D was No. 2 in the nation in third down stops.
2025 Record:11-3
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:66
CFN 2025 Final Rank:25
Top Transfer In:Beau Pribula, QB Missouri
Top Transfer Out:Trell Harris, WR to Oklahoma
2026 Realistic Expectation:Be this year's 2025 Virginia
- 2026 Virginia Schedule Analysis
Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell runs onto the field ahead of players prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
45 Wisconsin
Okay, Wisconsin. You wanted more Luke Fickell, you got more Luke Fickell. This will be interesting with baller quarterback Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) about to crank up the running game. Points would be nice - only UMass scored fewer per game - and …
Take … the ball … away.The Badgers were tied for last in the nation with six takeaways. They made one more interception than you did.
2025 Record:4-8
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:42
CFN 2025 Final Rank:64
Top Transfer In:Shamar Rigby, WR Oklahoma State
Top Transfer Out:Joe Brunner, OG to Indiana
2026 Realistic Expectation:Score
- 2026 Wisconsin Schedule Analysis
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44 NC State
It's a sneaky-good team helped by keeping quarterback CJ Bailey around. When he was on, the Wolfpack were tough. This year's team might not have the talent to win the ACC title, but the schedule is a dream.
The secondary gave up too many yards.That's what happens when you don't have a big pass rush. Spring ball should change both things.
2025 Record:8-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:39
CFN 2025 Final Rank:33
Top Transfer In:Joshia Trader, WR Miami
Top Transfer Out:Hollywood Smothers, RB to Texas
2026 Realistic Expectation:Get close to the program's first ACC title appearance
- 2026 NC State Schedule Analysis
43 Florida State
It's the ACC's make-or-break team with more new playmakers coming in to finally turn this back around. Mike Norvell is being given every shot to restore the 2023 glory, and his great transfer signings should help.
Just keep the ball.The Seminoles couldn't seem to stop the turnovers, and they struggled with the time of possession battle. Fix both of those, and everything changes.
2025 Record:5-7
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:40
CFN 2025 Final Rank:69
Top Transfer In:Quintrevion Wisner, RB Texas
Top Transfer Out:Earl Little, S to Ohio State
2026 Realistic Expectation:Come up with a winning season
- 2026 Florida State Schedule Analysis
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42 Nebraska
There's a chance the Huskers surprise and start to put it all together through their transfers and a nice infrastructure, but it just doesn't feel like a buzzy team ready to take the Big Ten by storm. You don't get better by losing quarterback Dylan Raiola, injury and all.
Nebraska needs to be really good at something.Things are improving under Matt Rhule - albeit at a glacier's pace - but the program needs something that makes other teams worry.
2025 Record:7-6
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:32
CFN 2025 Final Rank:43
Top Transfer In:Brendan Black, OG Iowa State
Top Transfer Out:Dylan Raiola, QB to Oregon
2026 Realistic Expectation:Start to look like there's hope to be a powerhouse again soon
- 2026 Nebraska Schedule Analysis
41 Clemson
Of course this ranking might be totally ridiculous a few months from now, but Clemson didn't exactly show much with everything in place last year, and now there's an overhaul happening. There's too much talent to be in the Just Another Team category.
Where was the pass defense?The pass rush was fine, but the secondary was regularly roasted way too often. The portal signings should help.
2025 Record:7-6
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:9
CFN 2025 Final Rank:44
Top Transfer In:Elliot Washington II, CB Penn State
Top Transfer Out:Stephiylan Green, DT to LSU
2026 Realistic Expectation:Win the ACC Championship
- 2026 Clemson Schedule Analysis
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40 Georgia Tech
After a year of playing with fire games after game, and Haynes King keeping the team from getting burned, it's possible this bunch could be even better despite the loss of its star. It'll be a tough out every game.
The Yellow Jacket backfield has plenty of star power.QB Alberto Mendoza (Indiana) and RB Justin Haynes (Michigan) should grow into a deadly combination.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:31
CFN 2025 Final Rank:23
Top Transfer In:Justice Haynes, RB Michigan
Top Transfer Out:Isiah Canion, WR to Georgia
2026 Realistic Expectation:Play for the ACC title
- 2026 Georgia Tech Schedule Analysis
39 Minnesota
The Gopher world revolves around rising star quarterback Drake Lindsey, but for Minnesota to be Minnesota, it needs to find a running game that wasn't there throughout last season. It was a nice offseason full of transfer gets.
Seriously, the running game.The Gophers became a mashing monster under PJ Fleck, but last year they were dead last in the Big Ten grinding the run.
2025 Record:8-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:26
CFN 2025 Final Rank:38
Top Transfer In:Perry Thompson, WR Auburn
Top Transfer Out:Koi Perich, S to Oregon
2026 Realistic Expectation:Push for a ten-win season
- 2026 Minnesota Schedule Analysis
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38 Louisville
The Cardinals have been flirting with big things under Jeff Brohm, but this year's version needs a big spring with way too many untested new parts coming in. The ACC is there for the taking.
Lincoln Kienholz has to crank up the passing game.The Ohio State transfer QB has to boost an attack that couldn't move the chains and struggled on the deep shots.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:29
CFN 2025 Final Rank:35
Top Transfer In:Lincoln Kienholz, QB Ohio State
Top Transfer Out:Jordan Church, OG to Texas Tech
2026 Realistic Expectation:Win the ACC Championship
- 2026 Louisville Schedule Analysis
Nov 19, 2025; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin during the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. © Brian Bishop-Imagn Images
37 Virginia Tech
Buy into the James Franklin Hokies immediately. At some point this offseason, we'll step up and call this a top 25 team with all the amazing players Franklin brought in to go along with a decent base.
Take the ball away.Only Wisconsin recovered fewer fumbles, and only five teams came up with fewer picks.
2025 Record:3-9
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:49
CFN 2025 Final Rank:83
Top Transfer In:Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB Penn State
Top Transfer Out:Dante Lovett, CB to UCLA
2026 Realistic Expectation:Show Penn State that it made a big, big mistake
- 2026 Virginia Tech Schedule Analysis
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36 SMU
There's too much replacing to do to think the Mustangs will take a bigger step forward, but in Year Three in the ACC, they'll continue to show staying power. Getting QB Kevin Jennings back is massive.
You and a few friends could've rolled out of bed and thrown for 250 yards on SMU.The pass defense was the second-worst in America, only ahead of Stanford.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:33
CFN 2025 Final Rank:21
Top Transfer In:Yannick Smith, WR East Carolina
Top Transfer Out:Chris Johnson, RB to Clemson
2026 Realistic Expectation:Be in the CFP hunt for a third straight ACC season
- 2026 SMU Schedule Analysis
35 Vanderbilt
One of the SEC's most interesting teams, the Commodores did a nice job replacing most of the pieces through the transfer portal, and they won't go back to being the league's free space game, but …
Diego Pavia was an all-timer.There's the slimmest margin for error in the SEC, and it'll show without the same magic under center.
2025 Record:10-3
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:58
CFN 2025 Final Rank:20
Top Transfer In:Brian Allen, EDGE Iowa
Top Transfer Out:Tre Richardson, WR to Louisville
2026 Realistic Expectation:Prove that it wasn't just Diego
- 2026 Vanderbilt Schedule Analysis
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34 Boise State
Starting life in the Pac-12, Boise State and quarterback Maddux Madsen return with another great team full of experience and upside to make a big push for a second CFP appearance in three years.
Can Boise State beat a Power Four team?The last win came against Florida State to kickoff the 2019 season.
2025 Record:9-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:41
CFN 2025 Final Rank:65
Top Transfer In:Roman Tillmon, S South Dakota
Top Transfer Out:Ty Benefield, S to LSU
2026 Realistic Expectation:Win the Pac-12 title, get to the CFP
- 2026 Boise State Schedule Analysis
33 TCU
There's a lot to like, and this could jump fast depending on reports from spring ball. There's a great group of veterans in place, but it all comes down to new quarterback Jaden Craig (Harvard) taking over for Josh Hoover (Indiana).
Chill out on the turnovers.The throwing interception thing isn't going to fly in Bloomington if Hoover throws 13 picks in his new home. TCU was last in the Big 12 in picks thrown.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:34
CFN 2025 Final Rank:30
Top Transfer In:Noah McKinney, OG Oklahoma State
Top Transfer Out:Josh Hoover, QB to Indiana
2026 Realistic Expectation:Stay deep in the hunt for the Big 12 title in November
- 2026 TCU Schedule Analysis
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32 Arizona State
Call this a holding pattern ranking because it's almost impossible to lock down what's in place with a big overhaul happening on both sides. With that said, the transfer portal signings were terrific.
The Sun Devils need a kick.PK Jesus Gomez is gone, and ASU was blah in every other way on special teams.
2025 Record:8-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:20
CFN 2025 Final Rank:29
Top Transfer In:Omarion Miller, WR Colorado
Top Transfer Out:Sam Leavitt, QB to LSU
2026 Realistic Expectation:Win the Big 12 Championship for a second time in three years
- 2026 Arizona State Schedule Analysis
31 Pitt
Someone has to lead the Best of the Rest in the ACC after Miami, and Pitt has the upside to be it around QB Mason Heintschel and a potentially loaded defense. Now everyone has to play up to the expectations.
Stop with all the penalties.It was 126th in the nation in flags, getting hit with over seven a game for an average of 67 yards.
2025 Record:8-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:46
CFN 2025 Final Rank:47
Top Transfer In:Carson Kent, TE Oklahoma
Top Transfer Out:Rasheem Biles, LB to Texas
2026 Realistic Expectation:Win the ACC Championship
- 2026 Pitt Schedule Analysis
Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre (15) throws the ball before a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 13, 2025.© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
30 Tennessee
Okay … OKAY. So we might be underselling the Vols a wee bit. The quarterback situation is one of the spring's biggest storylines. The rest of the attack is in place to light up the scoreboard.
Can the defense hold serve?The Tennessee offense will dominate at times, but the other side has to lock up the pass D - the pass rush will be there.
2025 Record:8-5
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:15
CFN 2025 Final Rank:27
Top Transfer In:Chaz Coleman, WR Penn State
Top Transfer Out:Lance Heard, OT to Kentucky
2026 Realistic Expectation:Get to the College Football Playoff, and smoke cigars along the way
- 2026 Tennessee Schedule Analysis
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29 Auburn
The Tigers need more of a tweak than an overhaul - they're about to get a flamethrower. New head coach Alex Golesh will bring his lightning-fast attack along with a good enough defense to pick up the slack.
If you enjoy ball control, Auburn won't be for you.Golesh's USF team was 133rd in the nation in time of possession.
2025 Record:5-7
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:36
CFN 2025 Final Rank:51
Top Transfer In:Byrum Brown, QB USF
Top Transfer Out:Cam Coleman, WR to Texas
2026 Realistic Expectation:Show that the offense will be a problem for the SEC for years to come
- 2026 Auburn Schedule Analysis
28 Illinois
The expectations are tempered compared to last season, but if the defense can start to create more big plays, everything should be okay around new quarterback Katin Houser (East Carolina).
Again, the defense.It's a Bret Bielema team. It should be disruptive, and with a big-time attitude. It starts with more third down stops.
2025 Record:9-4
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:23
CFN 2025 Final Rank:19
Top Transfer In:Katin Houser, QB East Carolina
Top Transfer Out:Tomiwa Durojaiye, DT to South Carolina
2026 Realistic Expectation:Be the team the 2025 version was supposed to be
- 2026 Illinois Schedule Analysis
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27 Houston
Experience-wise, the Cougars are good enough to challenge for the Big 12 title. Getting back QB Conner Weigman is huge, and the defense has as many good returning veterans as anyone in the conference.
Play up to the win total.Houston won ten games, but there were a few too many fights. This bunch needs to dominate.
2025 Record:10-3
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:61
CFN 2025 Final Rank:26
Top Transfer In:Javion White, S Tulane
Top Transfer Out:Corey Platt, LB to Texas Tech
2026 Realistic Expectation:Be established as a Big 12 power
- 2026 Houston Schedule Analysis
26 Florida
Jon Sumrall has a good base of Gators in place to work with, especially on defense. The recognizable star power might not be there through the portal, but there's a rock-solid infusion of talent coming in.
Get the offense moving.The "Fun 'n' Gun" Steve Spurrier school couldn't get the ball down the field. QB Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech) has to turn it loose.
2025 Record:4-8
CFN 2025 Preseason Rank:17
CFN 2025 Final Rank:49
Top Transfer In:Eric Singleton, WR Auburn
Top Transfer Out:DJ Lagway, QB to Baylor
2026 Realistic Expectation:Come up with a second winning season in six years
- 2026 Florida Schedule Analysis
CFN 2026 College Football Spring Rankings
Top 25
| 51-100
| 101-138
This story was originally published by College Football News on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
