NCAAF · 1 hour ago

2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25: The Ultimate College Football Expert Composite Rankings

John Canady

Host · Writer

1) Ohio State Buckeyes (210 points, 2 first-place votes)
Ohio State feels like the easy pick to start on top once again, with Jeremiah Smith returning as one of the sport’s most feared weapons and Julian Sayin set for another season at quarterback. Pair that with Bo Jackson in the backfield and the Buckeyes aren’t lacking answers on offense — especially after bringing in Arthur Smith to run the show following his NFL stint in Pittsburgh. After watching their season end early with a stunning CFP loss to Miami, everything about this group points toward a motivated, prove-it run in 2026.
2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25: The Expert Composite
2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25: The Expert Composite

The confetti from Indiana’s historic, undefeated national title run hasn’t even been swept off the floor. Still, in the world of college football, if you aren't looking ahead, you're already behind. The 2026 landscape is shifting beneath our feet faster than a transfer portal entry, and we aren't just guessing—we’re bringing the receipts.

To give you the most accurate look at who actually owns the hype, we’ve built the Definitive 2026 Composite Top 25. We didn't just pick a favorite; we aggregated data and rankings from the nine industry heavyweights: On3, Crain & Cone, ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today, The Sporting News, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and The Athletic. Using a weighted point system (25 points for a #1 vote, 1 point for a #25 vote), this list represents the collective intelligence of the sport's top minds. Between a coaching carousel that feels like a fever dream—Lane Kiffin taking the throne at LSU and Kyle Whittingham stepping into the Michigan pressure cooker—and the return of icons like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith, the 2026 season is already screaming chaos.

Here is how the experts see the board shaking out, starting at 25.
25) Vanderbilt Commodores (16 points)
Vanderbilt made a splash by landing the top QB in the 2025 class, Jared Curtis, signaling big plans for 2026. Replacing what Diego Pavia brought won’t be easy, but a culture is clearly taking shape in Nashville that players want to join. The Commodores look poised to stay competitive and in the mix next season.
24) Houston Cougars (32 points)
Houston showed real progress last season and looks ready to take the next step in 2026. With multiple key players returning and a solid foundation in place, the Cougars could be poised to compete for a run at the top of their conference if all goes to plan.
23) Missouri Tigers (33 points)
Missouri heads into 2026 dealing with some big losses, including QB Beau Pribula and edge rusher Damon Wilson II. The Tigers moved quickly to land Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons at quarterback, and Eli Drinkwitz has been aggressive in the portal to fill holes and add talent across the roster. If the new pieces click, Missouri could still be competitive, though the pass rush remains a key question.
22) Iowa Hawkeyes (42 points)
Iowa heads into 2026 with longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz still at the helm, providing steady leadership. The Hawkeyes have often seemed just a quarterback away from contending, and this year’s portal additions could ease that pressure for the starting QB and give them a real shot to make a run in the Big Ten.
21) SMU Mustangs (50 points)
SMU heads into 2026 with high expectations in the ACC. Rhett Lashlee has done well bringing in talent, and with several key returners back, the Mustangs should have no trouble staying in the mix for the conference’s top spots.
T-18) Louisville Cardinals (51 points)
Louisville turned heads last season, and they’re showing no hesitation in using the portal to upgrade their roster. Adding Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, along with other key pieces, the Cardinals look poised to make a serious push in the ACC in 2026.
T-18) Washington Huskies (51 points)
Washington came close to losing star quarterback Demond Williams to the portal, but he’s back after the program took strong action. With several key additions from the portal complementing what Jedd Fisch has already built, the Huskies look ready to take the next step.
T-18) Utah Utes (51 points)
Utah enters 2026 under familiar leadership, with defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley stepping in as head coach. While the Utes lost several key players, they still return important contributors and added talent through the transfer portal, leaving them well-positioned to remain a contender in the Big 12.
17) Penn State Nittany Lions (57 points)
Penn State enters 2026 in full rebuild mode under new head coach Matt Campbell, who brought several Iowa State transfers with him — including standout quarterback Rocco Becht. With a wave of departures through the portal, the Nittany Lions had to retool quickly, but Campbell’s vision and a bit of luck have put them in position to compete in the Big Ten sooner rather than later.
16) Alabama Crimson Tide (91 points)
Alabama enters 2026 with a new quarterback following Ty Simpson’s departure, but Kalen DeBoer’s recruiting continues to keep the Tide loaded. Former five-star Keelon Russell is set to take the reins under center, and with several other playmakers added to the mix, Alabama has the pieces to stay at the top of the SEC.
15) USC Trojans (101 Points)
USC finds luck with star quarterback Jayden Maiava set to return, and with a wave of talent added by Lincoln Riley's busy work in the transfer portal, the Trojans have a lot of things trending in the right direction. Not to mention, another elite recruiting class is incoming. All that to say, the Trojans look well-stocked to compete at the top next season.
14) Michigan Wolverines (107 points)
Michigan’s offseason got off to a rocky start with Sherrone Moore’s departure amid legal troubles, but new head coach Kyle Whittingham has stepped in and hit the ground running. Star quarterback Bryce Underwood returns, and several high-profile portal additions are incoming, including a wave of talent from Utah, which will give the Wolverines a strong foundation to contend in the Big Ten in 2026.
13) Ole Miss Rebels (113 points)
Ole Miss is waiting on clarity with Trinidad Chambliss’ eligibility, but the Rebels haven’t wasted any time since their CFP exit. Pete Golding has refreshed the roster, and with plenty of talent returning and landing in the portal, Ole Miss should still be a force in the SEC in 2026.
12) LSU Tigers (116 points)
LSU kicks off the Lane Kiffin era with plenty of momentum. The Tigers added impact pieces in the portal, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, pass rusher Princewill Umanmielen, and a revamped wide receiver group. Should all the new talent click, LSU could quickly turn into one of the nation’s top contenders in 2026.
11) BYU Cougars (130 points)
BYU returns stud quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who should give the offense a steady hand all season. Add in a wave of new talent from the portal, and the Cougars look well-positioned to make a serious run in a Big 12 that feels wide open in 2026.
10) Oklahoma Sooners (142 points)
Oklahoma hopes 2026 is the season they finally get healthy. John Mateer returns at quarterback after an injury-plagued year, while several key portal additions give depth across the roster. In addition, the idea of a full season with Brent Venables potentially calling the defense, and the Sooners could be positioned to make a real statement.
T-8) Miami Hurricanes (153 points)
Miami came heartbreakingly close to a national title last season before running into Indiana, but there are several reasons to be excited about 2026. The Hurricanes have been aggressive in the portal and are rumored to be chasing top quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke. With talent pouring in and a taste of how close they are, Miami looks set to stay near the top of the conversation next season.
T-8) Texas A&M Aggies (153 points)
Texas A&M enters 2026 with plenty to like, starting with the return of quarterback Marcel Reed. The Aggies also dipped into the portal for reinforcements, headlined by Isaiah Horton, as they try to patch the holes that showed up late last season. After unraveling down the stretch in 2025, this feels like another chance for A&M to see if the talent finally translates when it matters most.
7) Texas Tech Red Raiders (171 points)
Texas Tech didn’t sit still this offseason. The Red Raiders went heavy in the transfer portal, loading up on both sides of the ball with a clear focus on raising the defensive ceiling. At the same time, TTU grabbed a top quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, to steady the offense. If the pieces come together the way they hope, Tech has the look of a team ready to take a real step forward in 2026.
6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (182 points)
Notre Dame did lose a major piece with Jeremiyah Love off to the NFL, but the cupboard is far from bare in South Bend. With CJ Carr back at quarterback and Marcus Freeman continuing to be aggressive in the portal, the Irish still look like a team built to hang around the playoff conversation. The star power may look different in 2026, but Notre Dame’s floor remains as high as just about anyone’s.
5) Oregon Ducks (193 points, 2 first-place votes)
Oregon getting Dante Moore back for another year felt like a statement. After passing on the 2026 NFL Draft, Moore returns with unfinished business — especially after Indiana handed the Ducks their only losses last season. With a strong mix of returning contributors and another productive portal haul, Oregon looks built to stay firmly among the nation’s elite heading into 2026.
4) Georgia Bulldogs (200 points)
Georgia isn’t going anywhere. Kirby Smart brings back key pieces in 2026, including quarterback Gunner Stockton, while another loaded recruiting class arrives in Athens to keep the pipeline full. As long as the Bulldogs continue to reload defensively the way they always do, Georgia will remain firmly in the national title conversation.
3) Texas Longhorns (203 points, 1 first-place votes)
Texas didn’t miss the College Football Playoff by much, and Steve Sarkisian made sure it didn’t sit well. With Arch Manning back under center, the Longhorns attacked the portal and came away with impact pieces like top wideout Cam Coleman and dynamic running back Raleek Brown. The talent has never been the question in Austin — 2026 feels like a season where Texas is expected to turn all of it into results, finally.
2) Indiana Hoosiers (204 points, 4 first-place votes)
Indiana’s rise is officially no fluke. Fresh off a national title, Curt Cignetti keeps making his now-famous “Google me” quote look better by the month, reloading the roster instead of rebuilding it. Landing Josh Hoover as the centerpiece of a strong transfer portal haul gives the Hoosiers the kind of quarterback stability that championship contenders need. With talent flooding in around him, Indiana looks built to take another real swing at the top in 2026.
1) Ohio State Buckeyes (210 points, 2 first-place votes)
Ohio State feels like the easy pick to start on top once again, with Jeremiah Smith returning as one of the sport’s most feared weapons and Julian Sayin set for another season at quarterback. Pair that with Bo Jackson in the backfield and the Buckeyes aren’t lacking answers on offense — especially after bringing in Arthur Smith to run the show following his NFL stint in Pittsburgh. After watching their season end early with a stunning CFP loss to Miami, everything about this group points toward a motivated, prove-it run in 2026.
2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25: The Expert Composite
2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25: The Expert Composite

The confetti from Indiana’s historic, undefeated national title run hasn’t even been swept off the floor. Still, in the world of college football, if you aren't looking ahead, you're already behind. The 2026 landscape is shifting beneath our feet faster than a transfer portal entry, and we aren't just guessing—we’re bringing the receipts.

To give you the most accurate look at who actually owns the hype, we’ve built the Definitive 2026 Composite Top 25. We didn't just pick a favorite; we aggregated data and rankings from the nine industry heavyweights: On3, Crain & Cone, ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today, The Sporting News, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and The Athletic. Using a weighted point system (25 points for a #1 vote, 1 point for a #25 vote), this list represents the collective intelligence of the sport's top minds. Between a coaching carousel that feels like a fever dream—Lane Kiffin taking the throne at LSU and Kyle Whittingham stepping into the Michigan pressure cooker—and the return of icons like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith, the 2026 season is already screaming chaos.

Here is how the experts see the board shaking out, starting at 25.