Sports

College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2026

By Steven Lassan Athlon Sports

Updated May 18, 2026 6:27 AM

The 2026 college football season officially kicks off in late August, but it's never too early to project the top 25 teams for the upcoming year. With spring practice completed, the transfer portal down to one window now, and nearly all roster movement completed for '26, all 138 teams have a clear outlook on strengths, weaknesses, and schedule difficulty for the upcoming season.

With the College Football Preview Guide on newsstands now, Athlon Sports is unveiling its top 25, predictions, and projections for the upcoming season over the next few weeks. The top 25 teams in this list is a projection on how they will finish at the end of '26 - not how they start the year.

The Big Ten has claimed the last three national championships and another title is within reach for '26. Small margins separate the top seven teams in Athlon's projected top 25, with Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon all capable of finishing No. 1. Georgia and Texas top the list of frontrunners from the SEC, while Notre Dame and Miami have favorable overall paths and teams poised for a deep run in '26.

With more news to potentially analyze this offseason, this projection and prediction on the top 25 teams could look different by August. However, with the release of the Athlon Sports College Football Preview Guide, these are the projected Top 25 for next season:

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Teams that just missed our top 25: Florida, Clemson, South Carolina, Missouri, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, and Arizona.

The Hawkeyes return only six starters and have several holes to fill from a standout '25 defense. However, head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff usually find the right answers. Also, a rock-solid offensive line and deep stable of running backs should help ease the transition to new quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski.

Behind quarterback Maddux Madsen and a standout one-two punch at running back in Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, Boise State is a heavy favorite to win the Pac-12 and take the top spot among Group of 6 conferences in the playoff rankings. Edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan headlines a defense returning only four starters and looking to reload in the secondary. A Week 1 trip to Oregon is a huge opportunity for head coach Spencer Danielson's team.

After an injury-plagued season, along with a brief entry into the portal, running back Isaac Brown is back to power the Cardinals' ACC title hopes. Head coach Jeff Brohm also hopes Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz provides needed consistency and big-play ability at quarterback. Edge rusher Clev Lubin headlines five returning starters on defense. An early September home matchup against SMU could loom large in determining the ACC pecking order.

The Mustangs are 14-2 in ACC play since joining the league in '24. Head coach Rhett Lashlee's squad could be the biggest threat to Miami (Fla.) with quarterback Kevin Jennings piloting a high-powered offense featuring new faces from the portal at the skill spots. New defensive play-caller Maurice Crum Jr. has holes to fill on a defense that held conference opponents to 17.8 points per game last year.

Head coach Josh Heupel took steps to fix Tennessee's struggling defense by hiring veteran coordinator Jim Knowles and investing heavily in impact transfers. The Volunteers are breaking in a new quarterback; however, Heupel's team returns some of the SEC's top skill talent in running back DeSean Bishop and receiver Braylon Staley to go with an experienced offensive line. A favorable schedule will help Tennessee's chances of exceeding last year's eight victories.

New head coach Morgan Scalley should find a way to keep Utah's defense among the best in the Big 12. How the Utes rebuild up front and transition to new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven will decide how high this team climbs in the conference. The dynamic quarterback duo of Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin leads the way. Also, a couple of transfer additions add needed big-play ability at receiver.

The Cougars improved their win total by six games from 2024 to '25. Head coach Willie Fritz's squad has its sights set on another step forward into Big 12 title contention, especially with quarterback Conner Weigman returning and Oregon transfer running back Makhi Hughes solidifying the ground game. Six starters return on a defense that limited opponents to 22.8 points a contest last year.

After last year's disappointing seven-win season, expectations are significantly lower this fall in Happy Valley. New head coach Matt Campbell brought in 40 transfers, with quarterback Rocco Becht among those following him from Iowa State. New coordinator (and former Penn State defensive back) D'Anton Lynn inherits just three starters on defense. However, the linebacker and secondary units should be a strength. The schedule breaks in Penn State's favor by missing Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana.

If the Huskies are going to take the next step after a nine-win campaign in 2025, head coach Jedd Fisch must restock the supporting cast around quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and reload a defense that returns only four starters. A pair of sophomores in running back Jordan Washington and receiver Dezmen Roebuck are breakout candidates on offense, while touted freshman tackle Kodi Greene is expected to make an impact right away on the line. Although the defense is navigating some turnover, the linebacker unit could be among the best in the Big Ten. Also, Fisch and coordinator Ryan Walters added quality help from the portal. The schedule includes tough road trips to USC and Oregon.

The Cougars are one of the Big 12's top programs, with a 23-4 record over the past two years. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns after a standout freshman season but is throwing to a revamped receiving corps. With running back LJ Martin and one of the Big 12's top defenses also in place, BYU could ride a favorable schedule to the playoff.

The Crimson Tide have more question marks than usual, with only five returning starters. But head coach Kalen DeBoer's team has a favorable schedule and could once again make the College Football Playoff if the ground game improves behind a revamped offensive line. True freshman EJ Crowell could be the answer to spark a lackluster ground attack, while receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams aims to have a bounce-back junior campaign. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are expected to continue their quarterback battle into the fall. The secondary should be among the best in the nation. However, DeBoer's defense has major holes to fill up front and at linebacker.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava and an experienced offensive line are back on a high-powered offense, but standout receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane must be replaced. Coach Lincoln Riley should find the right replacements at receiver to keep this unit performing at a high level, with NC State transfer Terrell Anderson and a couple of incoming freshmen providing support to Tanook Hines on the outside. Hopes of a College Football Playoff run hinge on how far new coordinator Gary Patterson can improve the defense. The Trojans have added plenty of talent from the transfer portal and recruiting trail to bolster the defense. If this unit is able to take a step forward, a playoff trip is within reach.

ORDER NOW: 2026 Athlon Sports College Football Preview Guide

New head coach Kyle Whittingham inherits a team poised to contend for the playoff. The Wolverines will be strong once again on defense, but the development of dynamic sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood looms large against a schedule that includes matchups against Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State. Jordan Marshall and true freshman Savion Hiter form one of the top backfield tandems in the nation.

The Red Raiders are heavy favorites to win the Big 12 once again. However, the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Brendan Sorsby's status narrowed the gap to the rest of the conference. Assuming new quarterback Will Hammond returns prior to Week 1 or before Big 12 play from a significant knee injury suffered in ‘25, Texas Tech should maintain its hold on the top of the conference. Head coach Joey McGuire's team needs to rely on a deep backfield and standout defense until Hammond is 100%. A handful of transfers should restock a unit losing standouts in linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, end David Bailey, and tackle Lee Hunter.

Head coach Pete Golding is already off to a strong start in Oxford thanks to two victories in the College Football Playoff. Golding's success extended off the field as well, as the Rebels retained star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. A standout transfer portal haul should help the defense improve in '26. How Ole Miss reloads an offensive line replacing both tackles, along with the overall coaching transition, will determine just how high this team can climb in the SEC.

New head coach Lane Kiffin won't get much of a honeymoon period in Baton Rouge. With a massive investment in the new staff and player acquisition and retention, the expectation is for the Bayou Bengals to make the playoff. Quarterback Sam Leavitt's health is one of the SEC's top X-factors in '26. Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. also need to develop more consistency out of the ground game and quickly mesh talented pieces - including top transfer pickup Jordan Seaton - along the offensive line. The defense also has turnover at every level. Coordinator Blake Baker should keep this unit performing among the best in the SEC, especially with standout linebacker Whit Weeks back after he was limited in ‘25 due to injury.

After a first-round playoff exit last season, the Aggies have their sights set on a deeper run in '26. To accomplish that, quarterback Marcel Reed has to elevate his play under first-time play-caller Holmon Wiggins. Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton and the return of Mario Craver form the foundation of one of the SEC's top receiving corps. A revamped offensive line is also a concern, but head coach Mike Elko's defense will be strong once again.

The Sooners have a few holes to plug on defense, but head coach Brent Venables will find a way to keep this unit near the top of the SEC. An improved supporting cast and offensive line should help quarterback John Mateer take a step forward after an up-and-down (and injury-plagued) debut in Norman last year.

Head coach Mario Cristobal's team is loaded for another run at the national title after landing Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah to pair with some of the ACC's top skill talent in running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney. Six starters return on a defense that led the ACC in fewest points per game allowed (14.8). Both lines of scrimmage will require offseason retooling. However, Cristobal and his staff have plenty of talent waiting in the wings, plus a few portal additions, to keep both units performing at a high level.

All of the pieces are in place for Oregon to win its first national title. Quarterback Dante Moore and a group of key defenders all passed on the NFL for one more season in Eugene. The Ducks are loaded at receiver with Evan Stewart back at full strength after a knee injury in ‘25, along with the continued development of sophomore Dakorien Moore. Tight end Jamari Johnson is primed to push for All-America honors. A revamped offensive line and transitioning to new play-callers on both sides of the ball are the biggest concerns for coach Dan Lanning's team. A road trip to Ohio State in November could decide a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.

The Hoosiers lost a handful of key players from last season's championship squad, but head coach Curt Cignetti's team isn't going anywhere. Both sides of the ball found reinforcements in the portal, with quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU) and receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State) among the players poised for the biggest impact. Indiana's offensive and defensive lines rank as two of the best in the nation for ‘26.

After last year's playoff snub, the '26 season is all about revenge for the Fighting Irish. And making the postseason isn't simply the goal for Notre Dame - head coach Marcus Freeman's team has all of the ingredients to bring a national title back to South Bend. Quarterback CJ Carr navigated early ups and downs last season to emerge as one of the top signal-callers in the nation. The Fighting Irish return one of the deeper receiving corps the program has assembled in recent years, and the ground game will remain strong behind Aneyas Williams with Jeremiyah Love off to the NFL. How the line jells after a couple of players missed spring practice due to injury is the biggest concern on offense. After a rocky start, Notre Dame's defense played significantly better down the stretch. No opponent scored more than 24 points over the final nine games. Freeman's team could be favored in all 12 of its regular-season contests.

A year after failing to meet high expectations, the Longhorns seemingly took the right steps this offseason to erase that disappointment. Quarterback Arch Manning played his best ball down the stretch and enters his second year as the full-time starter more comfortable in head coach Steve Sarkisian's offense. Aiding Manning is an improved offensive line, along with key transfer pickups in receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn) and running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State). Defense hasn't been a major concern in Austin, but Sarkisian took a swing at transforming this unit into an elite group by hiring long-time coordinator Will Muschamp. End Colin Simmons should thrive in Muschamp's aggressive scheme, with transfer pickups at linebacker in Rasheem Biles (Pitt) and cornerback Bo Mascoe (Rutgers) plugging key voids. A Week 2 date against Ohio State is an opportunity for revenge. Late-season road trips to LSU and Texas A&M loom large for the Longhorns' hopes of an SEC title.

The Bulldogs have won back-to-back SEC championships, but head coach Kirby Smart's team is looking for its first playoff win since 2022. That drought seems poised to end in '26. Smart has developed a deep roster with talent overflowing in spots. Eight starters are back on defense, including a pair of standouts in the secondary - cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and safety KJ Bolden. Sophomore Elijah Griffin is the next star game-wrecker in the defensive trenches. After a solid debut last season, quarterback Gunner Stockton aims to take the next step in '26. Running back Nate Frazier headlines one of the deepest backfields in the nation, and three returning starters form the foundation of a solid offensive line. A revamped receiving corps is arguably the team's biggest concern. However, if Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo find the right mix, and the passing game generates a few more big plays in '26, Georgia can return to the top step of college football.

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The Buckeyes appeared to be the team to beat for most of the '25 season. However, head coach Ryan Day's squad stumbled late with back-to-back losses to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and to Miami (Fla.) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. That two-game losing streak is likely to fuel Ohio State in '26. Quarterback Julian Sayin should be better in his second year as the starter, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is back to dominate opposing defensive backs as arguably the top returning player in college football. Sayin and Smith will be even more dangerous if the ground attack provides a little more support under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Safety Caleb Downs, linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese and defensive lineman Kayden McDonald are just a few of the top names departing a suffocating defense. However, it's hard to doubt coordinator Matt Patricia's ability to keep this unit near the top of the Big Ten this season after a stellar debut last fall. A schedule that includes road trips to Texas, Indiana and USC and a home game against Oregon won't be easy.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 6:03 AM.

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