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College football too-early top 25 poll for 2026 season dominated by SEC, Big Ten
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- College football too-early top 25 poll for 2026 season dominated by SEC, Big Ten
The book on the 2025 college football season closed after hundreds of contests across six months preceded Indiana defeating Miami in the College Football Playoff championship game.
That ending in Miami Gardens, Florida, brings us to a new beginning: The journey toward figuring out which teams will be national title contenders in 2026. The list of schools is long, and the situation is fluid with transfer portal closed but still not sorted. That makes assembling our too-early top 25 ranking quite difficult.
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There should be ton of star power to follow, especially among quarterbacks. Texas will have Arch Manning back for his second season as starter. Ohio State has Julian Sayin. Georgia has Gunner Stockton. Notre Dame has CJ Carr. Oregon has Dante Moore . That's just a few on the list that will compete for top honors.
Ohio State might also have the best player in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who will be entering what is expected to be his final season. .
Our top 25 expectedly is full of Big Ten and SEC schools, however the balance of power in the sport allows the ACC and Big 12 along with Notre Dame to occupy plenty of positions. So with all that being said, here's our first guess at the best teams for 2026 with their 2025 records in parenthesis.
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1. Texas (10-3)
The Longhorns have loaded up on offensive weapons to support Arch Manning in what is expected to be his final college season. Returning WRs Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley will be joined by Auburn transfer Cam Coleman . The running back room has been remade with the additions of Hollywood Smothers (North Carolina State) and Raleek Brown ( Arizona State ). A solid core returns on the offensive line but gains need to made there. On defense, new coordinator Will Muschamp will have Pittsburgh transfer Rasheem Biles joining the linebacker group and a veteran secondary that avoided some key losses in the portal. The star of the unit should be DL Colin Simmons, who projects to be among the best pass rushers in the nation.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) is tackled by Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (8) tackles in the second quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 30, 2025.
2. Ohio State (12-2)
The Buckeyes are the preseason Big Ten favorites thanks to an offense that brings back some of the nation's top players in quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. This group has yet to hire a new coordinator but is expected to operate at a a higher pace than this year's offense. Key portal additions such as safeties Terry Moore (Duke) and Earl Little Jr. ( Florida State ) and cornerback Dominick Kelly (Georgia) will keep the defense near the top of the FBS. OSU will face one of the nation's top schedules that include road games against Texas, Indiana , Iowa and Southern California, but the schedule could make it better prepared for the playoff after getting bounced in this year's quarterfinals.
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3. Georgia (12-2)
There are no doubts about the offensive backfield with Gunner Stockton back at quarterback and Nate Frazier and Chancey Bowens set to carry the ball behind what projects to be another strong offensive line. The biggest concern is the receiver group that needs rebuilding. Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion should help, and a strong group of tight ends will provide some cover. LBs Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole and DB KJ Bolden will anchor a defense that is full of talent. It might take some time for the unit to jell, following a similar path in the 2025 season. But look for Georgia to again have one of the best groups in the country when the playoff rolls around.
4. Indiana (16-0)
Indiana isn't going anywhere after its first national title. While many key players will leave, including several former James Madison transfers, the foundation has been set to keep the Hoosiers in the title mix. The biggest adds have been quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU), cornerback A.J. Harris (Penn State), wide receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State) and offensive lineman Joe Brunner (Wisconsin), part of what is again the nation's best transfer class. There is every reason to believe Curt Cignetti's success is sustainable.
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5. Notre Dame (10-2)
The questions at quarterback that existed prior to the season were answered by the emergence of CJ Carr. In his second season as a starter, Carr should take a lead role of the offense with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Prince departed. Jordan Faison anchors the wide receiver room with Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham added to the mix. There's good experience along the offensive line, too. The defensive line returns standout Bryce Young and got a needed infusion from Francis Brewu (Pittsburgh) and Keon Keeley (Alabama). The secondary should be outstanding with Leonard Moore leading a group that includes Christian Gray and Colorado transfer DJ McKinney.
Nore Dame quarterback CJ Carr looks to pass against Miami during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Aug. 31, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
6. Oklahoma (10-3)
After reaching the playoff this season, the Sooners are poised to take the next step in 2026. Oklahoma will give senior quarterback John Mateer more weapons, including tight end Hayden Hansen (Florida) and wide receivers Trell Harris (Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (Texas), while the offensive line will be more experienced and much improved. Mateer should play better with another year to refine mechanics. The defense will carry over this year's gains if a less deep but very talented line gets a boost from players such as former five-star PJ Adebawore. The secondary might be the best in the SEC.
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7. Texas Tech (12-2)
No one in the Big 12 is ready to take down the Red Raiders. Look for Tech to more consistent on offense behind new starter Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), who joins a unit that includes veteran holdovers in tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and tackle Howard Sampson. The defense loses David Bailey but has reloaded up front with an elite transfer class of lineman, led by tackle Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest). The Red Raiders' overall talent is the best in the conference and could be enough to go deeper in next year's playoff.
8. Texas A&M (11-2)
The Aggies benefited from a favorable SEC schedule before slumping in their final two games. Fixing the struggles in losses to Texas and Miami will be key. Part of that will be the continued development of QB Marcel Reed, who will be in his third year as the starter. WR Mario Craver is poised for All-America consideration, while Isaiah Horton arrives from Alabama as support. A host of transfers were brought in to shore up the offensive line group. A similar approach helped bolster the defensive front. An already strong secondary also should get immediate help from Rickey Gibson (Tennessee) and Tawfiq Byrd (Colorado).
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9. Oregon (13-2)
Few teams lost more to the portal. The Ducks' success may hinge on their ability to reload the depth chart and maintain this year's depth. But the pieces are there to be hugely successful, starting with junior Dante Moore 's decision to return for another year. He leads an offense that will be very strong in the backfield and has the pieces to be explosive through the air. The defense brings back lineman Bear Alexander and added another impactful safety in Koi Perich (Minnesota). What may decide Oregon's season is how well Dan Lanning replaces both of this year's coordinators.
10. Miami (13-3)
Miami haven't officially sorted out its quarterback situation but is expected to sign Darian Mensah (Duke) soon after Monday night. The Hurricanes have more work to do in the portal, though they've already added two good pieces in defensive lineman Jarquez Carter (Ohio State) and safety Omar Thornton (Boston College). Given how Mario Cristobal emphasizes line play, a big factor will be how capably he rebuilds groups set to lose stars such as offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, interior lineman Ahkeem Mesidor and edge rusher Ruben Bain Jr.
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. breaks free on a run against Texas A&M during the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff at Kyle Field.
11. Alabama (11-4)
The pressure is on Kalen DeBoer after a pair of four-loss seasons to start his tenure. The Rose Bowl loss to Indiana exposed issues on both sides of the ball that need addressing. The most-pressing is offensive line, which was partly addressed by Michigan transfers Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn. The quarterback position will again have first-year starter with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell competing for the job. That means a dismal running game must improve. Getting receiver Ryan Williams back to his game-breaking best is another priority. On defense, Yhonzae Pierre returns as the key piece of the group that needs overall improvement. The defensive line has some concerns. The secondary has key holdovers Quay Hubbard and Keon Sabb.
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12. Southern California (11-2)
There's reason for optimism at USC, including the return of quarterback Jaydan Maiava, additions such as cornerback Jontez Williams (Iowa State) and wide receiver Terrell Anderson (North Carolina State) and the arrival of the nation's top recruiting class. The Trojans ' roster will be the deepest it has been since they joined the Big Ten. But USC will take on a schedule that includes Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon.
13. Brigham Young (12-2)
Maybe the best news for BYU is the return of coach Kalani Sitake after he interviewed with Penn State. The Cougars will get more from sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier after his strong debut. BYU has also done a good job in the portal by adding linebacker Cade Uluave (California), offensive lineman Paki Finau (Washington) and tight end Walker Lyons (USC). In addition to Bachmeier, key returnees include running back LJ Martin, safety Faletau Satuala, wide receiver Parker Kingston and cornerback Tre Alexander.
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14. Michigan (9-4)
A new era begins under former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who takes over a team potentially defined by quarterback Bryce Underwood's growth as a sophomore under new coordinator Jason Beck. Defensively, Michigan has the framework of a starting lineup but lacks depth up front and is inexperienced on the second level, though edge rusher John Henry Daley and cornerback Smith Snowden came along from the Utes and will make immediate impacts. Look for Whittingham to install a high floor for his debut with the potential for a run at the Big Ten if the roster comes together this summer.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) tries to avoid the tackle of Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Simmons (98) during their game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
15. LSU (7-6)
It wasn't the smoothest journey, but the Tigers eventually secured their quarterback by adding Sam Leavitt to give Lane Kiffin the key piece to build his offense around in his first season. There are expectedly a lot of other changes with upwards of 30 arrivals in the transfer portal, notably WRs Jayce Brown (Kansas State) and Tre Brown (Old Dominion). Two on defense worth watching are DL Stephiylan Green (Clemson) and DB Ty Benefield ( Boise State ), who will join holdover LB Whit Weeks after his decision to return after an injury-marred season. One big challenge early in Kiffin's tenure is a schedule which features an enticing lineup of visits from Clemson, Texas, Alabama and Texas A&M.
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16. SMU (9-4)
One of the strongest transfer classes in the ACC will help SMU maintain and even build on a 20-7 mark over the past two seasons. The headliners are edge rusher Marques White (Massachusetts), running back Kendrick Raphael (California), tight end Randy Pittman Jr. (Florida State) and defensive tackle Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder (Kansas State). Most of all, SMU was able to retain star quarterback Kevin Jennings, who could be one of the nation's best in 2026.
17. Penn State (7-6)
A friendly schedule and the influx of multiple key Iowa State transfers should make Matt Campbell's debut a success. Missing Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana gives the Nittany Lions a high floor to land in the nine-win range. Helping matters are former Cyclones such as quarterback Rocco Becht, defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Marcus Neal Jr., tight end Ben Brahmer and wide receiver Chase Sowell. While not built for a title, PSU is set up for a nice start under Campbell.
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18. Utah (11-2)
Likewise for Utah and new coach Morgan Scalley. The continuity in schemes is one reason why the program should remain in the Big 12 hunt. The Utes also got great news in the return of quarterback Devon Dampier, one of the best players in the conference. One key addition is lanky cornerback Elijah Reed (Akron), who could blossom in Scalley's system. Look for the defense to be stout despite losing Daley and others, while the offense will remain inventive under new coordinator Kevin McGiven.
19. Clemson (7-6)
This is a major roll of the dice given how the Tigers' abysmal 2025 season and the uncertainty at quarterback, with junior Christopher Vizzina set to take over after an unimpressive run in the backup role. But Clemson has done a better job in the portal, grabbing edge London Merritt (Colorado), safety Corey Myrick (Southern Mississippi) and corner Donovan Starr (Auburn), among others, and Dabo Swinney will still have a roster that might be the most talented in the ACC. A lot is hinging on whether new offensive coordinator Chad Morris can recapture the magic of his previous stint with the program.
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20. Mississippi (13-2)
After a run to the semifinals, it's Pete Golding's show in Oxford and building on the momentum will be crucial. With quarterback Trinidad Chambliss currently denied an extra year, Golding brought in Deuce Knight from Auburn. Knight was a five-star recruit but redshirted last season. RB Kewan Lacy was one of the key players that stuck with Ole Miss amid the departure of Lane Kiffin. The wide receiver group will feature arrivals Darrell Gill (Syracuse) and Cameron Miller (Kentucky). The defense has a lot of moving parts with DL Jordan Renaud (Alabama) and LB Blake Purchase (Oregon) coming aboard to help offset some significant departures.
21. Iowa (9-4)
Losing 27 seniors won't be easy for Iowa, especially with key losses at quarterback and both lines. The Hawkeyes feel good about their internal options, though. The offensive line could be terrific behind left tackle Trevor Lauck and star right guard Kade Pieper. At quarterback, former Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski holds the early edge for the starting job. Defensively, the Hawkeyes did suffer a big loss in safety Koen Entringer and still need transfer help up front. But Iowa's track record on that side of the ball speaks for itself.
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22. Florida State (5-7)
Here's another gamble on a fallen ACC power. FSU hasn't been the same since 2023 but will rebound next season thanks in part to transfers such as running back Tre Wisner (Texas), offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin (Auburn), quarterback Ashton Daniels (Auburn) and linebackers Chris Jones (Southern Mississippi) and Mikai Gbayor (North Carolina). Another factor to consider is how the Seminoles will benefit from another offseason under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, defensive coordinator Tony White and offensive line coach Herb Hand.
23. Houston (10-3)
Houston is a dark-horse playoff contender after surging to 10 wins in Willie Fritz's second year. The Cougars signed the league's best transfer class this side of Texas Tech by bringing in offensive linemen Anthony Boswell (Toledo) and Shadre Hurst (Tulane), running back Makhi Hughes (Oregon) and safety Javion White (Tulane). UH will also bring back vital pieces in quarterback Conner Weigman , top receiver Amare Thomas and defensive lineman Khalil Laufau.
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24. Tennessee (8-5)
This is a bet on Tennessee's defense carrying an offense that still doesn't have a clear answer at quarterback, with sophomore George McIntyre the current favorite to start after making 24 attempts in 2025. Josh Heupel's transfer class currently has no major difference makers on offense but gives the defense even more weapons, including edge Chaz Coleman (Penn State), linebacker Amare Campbell (Penn State), edge Jordan Norman (Tulane) and defensive back TJ Metcalf (Michigan). If the offense rebounds, the Volunteers are a sneaky SEC and playoff contender.
25. Boise State (9-5)
A third consecutive Mountain West title in a down season speaks to the consistency of the Broncos and puts them as early favorites to make the College Football Playoff in their first season in the Pac-12. The winning culture and the return of Maddux Madsen for his third season as the starting quarterback make them the early contenders for the Group of Five playoff berth. On defense, the front will be led by Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege. LB Boen Phelps return after solid sophomore season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football too-early top 25 rankings for 2026 full of SEC, Big 10
