The 2026 college football season is almost here, and the preseason AP Top 25 poll has provided the first official measuring stick for the season ahead. The Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes headline the rankings, reflecting the expectations that surround two of the most talented rosters in the country, but the poll also features a number of programs poised to surprise and contend.
Ohio State checks in at number two, and the Buckeyes have the kind of roster that is built for a championship run. Head coach Ryan Day returns 16 starters, including a senior quarterback who is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, and the defense is anchored by a dominant defensive line that features multiple NFL-caliber prospects. The Buckeyes have been knocking on the door of a national title for three seasons, and the feeling in Columbus is that this is the year they break through.
One of the most compelling storylines of the preseason is the number of teams in the top 10 that are breaking in new quarterbacks. The college football landscape has always been defined by quarterback play, and this season is no exception. Several preseason top-10 teams will be relying on quarterbacks with limited starting experience, and how those players perform in the first month of the season will likely reshuffle the rankings.
The SEC and the Big Ten continue to dominate the poll, combining for 12 of the 25 spots. The SEC has five teams in the top 10, a reflection of the conference depth that has made it the standard of college football for two decades. The Big Ten has three teams in the top 10, led by Ohio State, and the conference has strengthened its position with the additions of several high-profile programs in recent years.
The season kicks off in late August with a handful of marquee non-conference games that will immediately test the preseason rankings. A top-10 matchup in Week 1 will provide an early data point, and several other ranked teams face challenging openers that could set the tone for their seasons.
