Way-Too-Early College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 for the Upcoming Season
The college football landscape is ever-changing. College football fans are waiting to see where their favorite departing players will end up in the NFL, and so the page must turn as we look ahead to the 2026 season. Rosters have shifted. Coaching staffs have moved. The who's who of the sport looks different today than it did just one month ago. It is time to look ahead at who will contend for the 12-team playoff next winter in this edition of way-too-early college football rankings.
The Top Contenders
Texas Longhorns: Dinich doesn’t adhere to the “once burned, twice shy” idiom that other pundits have embraced this offseason and goes all-in on the Arch Manning-led Longhorns as her preseason No. 1.
Notre Dame: This might be the biggest surprise in Dinich’s Top 25, though it’s not far off from where other pundits expect the Irish to begin next season. On3’s experts ranked Notre Dame at No. 3.
Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana completed what may have been unthinkable a few months ago in Miami Gardens. The Hoosiers defeated the hometown Hurricanes 27-21 to cap a perfect 16-0 campaign. The reigning champion Hoosiers land at No. 3. But arguably the most important returner is Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who has won at least 11 games in each of the last three seasons, including compiling a 27-2 in his first 29 games in Bloomington. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti engineered a turnaround that will live in college football lore forever. But in this era of the transfer portal and constant roster churn, the celebration window is short.
Ohio State Buckeyes: If the dozens of NFL mock drafts out there are to be believed, the Buckeyes had the most talented roster in college football last season. Of course, Ohio State still has plenty of elite talent with superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith and rising sophomore QB Julian Sayin back in 2026.
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Georgia Bulldogs: They’ll do so with a loaded roster led by returning starting QB Gunner Stockton and a strong backfield that includes returning RBs Nate Frazier, Chauncy Bowens and Kentucky transfer Dante Dowdell.
Oregon Ducks: Based on other way-too-early projections, Dinich might be overlooking a Ducks squad that returns a majority of the team that made up last year’s Playoff semifinalist squad. That includes rising junior QB Dante Moore, who opted to pass on being a potential Top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to return to Eugene, where he’ll be joined by most Oregon’s elite 2025 defense, including the enter defensive front.
Texas A&M Aggies: There’s plenty to like about what the Aggies have coming back in 2026, including dynamic dual-threat QB Marcel Reed in what will be his third season as QB1. A&M head coach Mike Elko has proven he knows how to coach up a winner after leading the Aggies to the program’s first-ever CFP appearance thanks to 11 consecutive wins to open last season.
Ole Miss Rebels: Ole Miss received welcomed news last week when a local judge granted Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss an injunction vs. the NCAA that should allow him to play in 2026. The post-Lane Kiffin era begins in Oxford with a sense of quiet confidence. While the "Portal King" departed for the bright lights of Baton Rouge, the cupboard is far from bare for Pete Golding. The Rebels found their anchor in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who proved his mettle during a chaotic winter. Chambliss provides a steady hand and a high-IQ approach to an offense that remains one of the most explosive in the SEC. The defense, now under a new staff, returns several key starters in the secondary. Oxford may be recalibrating, but with Chambliss under center after being granted another year of eligibility, the Rebels are more than capable of crashing the 12-team playoff party again. Expect the transition to be smoother than most anticipate as the program moves into this new chapter.
Teams Ranked 11-25
- USC Trojans
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- LSU Tigers
- BYU Cougars. Kalani Sitake has built a consistent winner in Provo. The Cougars have won 23 games over the last two seasons. They narrowly missed the playoff last year and are hungry to break through. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns after winning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. His development is key to the team's ceiling.
- Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines pulled off the hire of the offseason by landing Kyle Whittingham. He brings a reputation for toughness and discipline. He also brought offensive coordinator Jason Beck with him. Beck's system should unlock the potential of quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood enters his sophomore year with sky-high expectations. Running back Jordan Marshall returns to anchor the ground game. The offense should be balanced and physical. The defense lost a lot of experience in the front seven. However, the arrival of Utah transfer John Henry Daley helps immediately. Daley recorded 11.5 sacks last season. The secondary features playmakers like Zeke Berry.
- Penn State Nittany Lions. A new era begins in Happy Valley as Matt Campbell arrives from Iowa State to replace James Franklin. Campbell faces a significant rebuild, but he didn't come alone. In an unprecedented move, nearly two dozen former Cyclones followed him to Penn State, including starting quarterback Rocco Becht. This massive influx of familiar talent should help instill Campbell's culture immediately. While the roster lost significant production to the NFL and the portal, the combination of Big 12 transfers and remaining blue-chip talent gives Penn State a higher floor than many expect. Becht is a proven leader who can stabilize the offense, and Campbell has a history of maximizing talent. It might be a transition year, but the Nittany Lions will be a tough out in the Big Ten.
- Alabama Crimson Tide. Kalen DeBoer enters his second season with high expectations but significant roster turnover. Quarterback Ty Simpson is off to the NFL. The Crimson Tide will have a new signal-caller. The battle will likely be between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Both are talented but unproven at this level. The offense also lost major production at wide receiver and along the offensive line. The defense was decimated by departures in the front seven. However, the secondary remains intact. Head coach DeBoer returns his entire starting defensive backfield. Cornerback Zabien Brown and safety Keon Sabb provide a safety net for the new starters up front. Alabama is always talented, but there are more questions than usual in Tuscaloosa.
- SMU Mustangs. Rhett Lashlee has established a winning culture in Dallas. The Mustangs have been knocking on the door of an ACC title for two years. SMU will have quarterback Kevin Jennings back. He has thrown for nearly 7,000 yards over the last two seasons. His experience gives SMU an edge in close games. The offense also gets a boost from the transfer portal with 16 additions. Running back Kendrick Raphael joins the program from Cal. He rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Alabama transfer Jalen Hale adds a dangerous weapon on the outside for Jennings. The defense added pass rusher Ira Singleton from USF to help generate pressure. SMU should be a contender in the ACC race.
- Louisville Cardinals. Jeff Brohm continues to produce consistent winners at his alma mater. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in three straight seasons. The 2026 squad features one of the most exciting running backs in the country. Isaac Brown returns after averaging 8.8 yards per carry, and he will be one of the top running backs in college football next season. He is joined by Keyjuan Brown to form a potent backfield duo. The big question is at quarterback. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz arrives to take over the offense. He was a highly touted recruit who was stuck behind a loaded depth chart in Columbus. If he lives up to his potential, Louisville will be dangerous. The defense returns pass rusher Clev Lubin.
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Washington Huskies. The offseason in Seattle was defined by the saga of quarterback Demond Williams Jr. He briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to return to Washington. His return is massive for head coach Jedd Fisch. Williams led the team to a strong finish in 2025. He gives the Huskies a legitimate playmaker behind center. Fisch has done a good job of filling holes on the roster. True freshman receiver Dezmen Roebuck looks like a future star. The defense was a top-20 unit last year under Ryan Walters. That group should remain a strength. Linebacker Jacob Manu returns after missing time last season. He was previously a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
- Houston Cougars. Willie Fritz is proving to be one of the best program builders in the nation. He took Houston from four wins to 10 wins in just his second season. The Cougars capped the year with a bowl victory and enter 2026 with momentum. Quarterback Conner Weigman returns to lead the offense. He was instrumental in the team's turnaround. The roster got even stronger in the offseason. Running back Makhi Hughes arrives from Oregon. Hughes previously played for Fritz at Tulane, where he rushed for over 2,700 yards in two seasons. His familiarity with the system makes him an instant impact player. The offensive line was the biggest question mark. Fritz addressed this by bringing in several starters from the Group of 5 level.
- Utah Utes. A new era begins in Salt Lake City. Morgan Scalley takes over as head coach following Kyle Whittingham's departure to Michigan. The transition is made easier by the return of quarterback Devon Dampier. He was the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2025. Dampier gives the Utes a dynamic threat to build the offense around. The roster did suffer some attrition. Several key players followed Whittingham to Ann Arbor. The offensive line will need to be rebuilt. However, Scalley retained his most important piece in Dampier. The program also added productive skill players via the portal. Running back Steve Chavez-Soto joins from San Jose State.
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- Penn State Nittany Lions 2025 record: 7-6 (Won Pinstripe Bowl vs. Clemson, 22-10) A new era begins in Happy Valley as Matt Campbell arrives from Iowa State to replace James Franklin. Campbell faces a significant rebuild, but he didn't come alone. In an unprecedented move, nearly two dozen former Cyclones followed him to Penn State, including starting quarterback Rocco Becht. This massive influx of familiar talent should help instill Campbell's culture immediately. While the roster lost significant production to the NFL and the portal, the combination of Big 12 transfers and remaining blue-chip talent gives Penn State a higher floor than many expect. Becht is a proven leader who can stabilize the offense, and Campbell has a history of maximizing talent. It might be a transition year, but the Nittany Lions will be a tough out in the Big Ten.
- Oklahoma State Cowboys 2025 record: 1-11 (No bowl game) It might seem absurd to rank a one-win team in the preseason top 25. However, the arrival of head coach Eric Morris signals a rapid turnaround in Stillwater. Morris comes over from North Texas and brings a massive influx of talent with him. The Cowboys signed 48 players in the transfer portal. Sixteen of those players followed Morris from North Texas. This is a complete roster overhaul designed for immediate results. The offense will be unrecognizable compared to the unit that struggled in 2025. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker arrives to take the reins. He is joined by running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young. Linebacker Ethan Wesloski also joins the defense. This group knows Morris’ system and can execute it from day one. Expect the Cowboys to be the most improved team in the country.
- Tennessee Volunteers 2025 record: 8-5 (Lost Music City Bowl vs. Illinois, 30-28) The outlook for Tennessee shifted from uncertain to elite following a historic courtroom victory. Quarterback Joey Aguilar successfully won his suit against the NCAA, granting him a rare eighth year of eligibility. With Aguilar officially back in the fold, the Volunteers boast one of the most experienced and productive signal-callers in the country. Aguilar posted a 90.5 PFF grade last season and his return allows younger options like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon more time to develop. The roster has talent. Running back DeSean Bishop returns after rushing for over 1,000 yards. The defense added significant reinforcements from the transfer portal. Edge defender Chaz Coleman highlights a group of four former Penn State players arriving in Knoxville. These additions should shore up the defense.
Factors Influencing the Rankings
- Coaching Changes: The arrival of new coaches like Matt Campbell at Penn State and Eric Morris at Oklahoma State has significantly impacted team rankings.
- Transfer Portal: The transfer portal continues to be a major factor in college football, with teams like Oklahoma State overhauling their rosters with transfer players.
- Quarterback Stability: The return of experienced quarterbacks like Joey Aguilar at Tennessee and Kevin Jennings at SMU provides a significant advantage for their respective teams.
- Recruiting: Strong recruiting classes, such as USC's No. 1 class, can provide an immediate boost to a program.
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