Cincinnati, Ohio – Another college football season is less than a week away! With it comes another year of conference realignment, coaching changes, transfer portal movement and the never-ending debate over which teams belong among the nation’s elite. The biggest question is does the Big Ten win its fourth title in a row? The last 3 years have featured 3 different national champions, all from the Big Ten. However, the SEC is eager to get back among the champions. Let’s dive into the top 25 teams in the country.
The preseason rankings are always going to be imperfect. Nobody has played a meaningful snap yet, and the College Football Playoff field won’t be decided by August projections. However, the Big Ten looks primed to take another title. Can Oregon take over the top of the nation and make it four different Big Ten teams in 4 years?! Dan Lanning has star returner Dante Moore under center again this year and he’ll be hoping to make a run towards NYC and the Heisman ceremony.
After evaluating returning production, roster talent, coaching, recent program trajectory, schedule outlook and the overall ceiling of each team, Here’s the NKY Bracketology top 25 to start the year off! The SSM poll will arrive on Thursday!
Here is the complete Sansom Sports Media Top 25, complete with a 1-5 star ranking for “National Championship Outlook”, which just means how confident I am in them making the CFP. a 5 means I think it’s highly unlikely they miss, while a 3 is a toss-up. 1 star teams need perfection to have a shot.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State enters the season with the expectations that come with being Ohio State: anything short of a legitimate national championship run will feel like a disappointment. After a disappointing end of the year this year, the Buckeyes both returned and brought in a load of talent this offseason!
The biggest question isn’t whether Ohio State has enough talent. It is whether the Buckeyes can put everything together when the stakes are highest.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★★
2. Georgia Bulldogs
Kirby Smart has turned Georgia into one of the most consistent programs in college football, and there is little reason to expect that standard to change in 2026. They’re solid in all areas of the game, but will need to be just a bit more explosive this season, both in the offensive passing game, and the defensive pass pressure.
Georgia begins the year just behind Ohio State, but the gap between the two teams is extremely small. It’s more of a 1A and 1B type of situation.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★★
3. Oregon Ducks
Oregon has rapidly established itself as one of the premier programs in the expanded Big Ten.
The Ducks talent and resources help compete with the traditional powers, and since Joining the Big Ten, they’ve consistently been atop the country. However, they need to get the proverbial monkey off their back
The final hurdle for Lanning and co. is to win the big games. If they can’t do it this year, then when will they?
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★★
4. Indiana Hoosiers
Reigning national champions and a fully reloaded roster? Yeah, Cignetti says “Google that”.
Cignetti and co. have quickly flipped one of the worst programs in the country, leaving their in-state rival Purdue to occupy their spot. Josh Hoover comes in to lead the QB room this season.
Now comes the difficult part: sustaining it when teams take you seriously.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★½
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame continues to operate in a unique position within the college football landscape. Their fierce independence has landed them a unique opportunity to land an AQ… but only if they’re ranked in the top 12 nationally at the end of the year.
Notre Dame enters 2026 with legitimate playoff expectations. However, can they replace the rushing attack from last year? The rushing attack and the health of the QB room will be vital this year.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★½
6. Texas Longhorns
Texas has officially entered the stage where simply being good isn’t enough. Is Sarkisian the guy who can actually get UT back to the promise land?
The resources and talent are 100% there. The QB room is now the biggest question I have. It’s put up or shut up time for Arch.
A brutal schedule awaits, starting week 1.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★½
7. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M may be one of the biggest wild cards in my preseason rankings.
The Aggies have routinely recruited at an elite level, but turning that talent into sustained success has been the challenge, and they have routinely not been up to par.
Like Texas, the talent is there, however, getting them to actually put it on the field is what Elko must do now.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★
8. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma enters another season trying to establish itself as a legitimate force in the SEC. They’re always mentioned with Texas, but can they separate themselves as an SEC contender this season? Much like the others just ahead of them, they need to consistently put it together.
A Top-10 ranking reflects the fact that Oklahoma has the talent to compete at the highest level, but there are still questions that need to be answered before the Sooners can be considered a championship favorite.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss suddenly, and almost unwillingly became the most intriguing team in college football this year when Lane Kiffin abandoned them during the CFP last year. Week 3 is the biggest game of the season as they get to host LSU and Kiffin with the entire country watching.
Now the question becomes: Is Golding good enough to get it done, or is the loss of Kiffin and crew too much for them to overcome? Having Lacy and Chambliss back immediately put them among the best offenses in the country.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★
10. Miami Hurricanes
Miami rounds out the Top 10. Last year’s runners up will have to replace a ton of production, starting with the production from Beck at QB.
Darian Mensah put up 34 TDs and 3900 yards last year at Duke but now made the trip down to South Beach, bringing his top target (Cooper Barkate) with him.
The transfer portal class on defense is highlighted by Damon Wilson and if this roster comes together, they’ll be atop the ACC again.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★★
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Akin to Ole Miss, Texas Tech will have a massive spotlight on them all year, but for different reasons. They tried to do one of the more diabolical things in sports and get Sorsby eligible after he was entrapped in a gambling scandal this offseason after transferring from Cincinnati. Now, Will Hammond is taking the snaps, however, 5th year eligibility of Tommy Castellanos could expand the Red Raider QB room.
Right now, however, they’re the clear favorites in the Big 12, but that is only if Will Hammond stays healthy.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
12. LSU Tigers
LSU will contend with Tech for the most hated teams in the country this year, all because of Lane Kiffin. Kiffin left aforementioned Ole Miss in the middle of a historic run to the CFP, taking several key members with him. Recently, they’ve been leading the charge of trying to bring in former NFL players in all of the 5-for-5 madness.
The entire roster is rebuilt and this team should be among the best. However, putting together the amount of talent they have is not seamless or easy. Sam Leavitt comes in from Tempe, AZ to Baton Rouge to lead the new look Tigers.
If Sam is consistent, this team can compete towards the top of the SEC.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
13. BYU Cougars
BYU has become a fascinating national program, and the Cougars enter 2026 with legitimate expectations, both in football and basketball. There is a program who has quickly grown in the portal and NIL era. Having LJ Martin lining up behind Bear Bachmeier means they’re immediately one of the best QB/RB duos in the country.
Their physical style and ability to compete in the Big 12 make them a difficult matchup for anyone on the schedule.
The defense should be physically imposing and cause problems the entire year. This is the closest contender to Tech’s hope to win the Big 12.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
14. USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley has to be feeling his seat warm up. With that, he brough in Gary Patterson to lead the defense this offseason. They need Jayden Maiava to bring his production back from last year to this year (3,711 passing yards), and they bring back all 5 offensive linemen. However, what they desperately need is a defensive squad whoo can actually stop someone.
If the defense can let the offense win games, the offense is absolutely explosive enough to get it done.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
I had an insanely difficult time placing Alabama within this ranking. Today, while writing this, Keelon Russell was named the starting QB. He was a 5* QB and will now look to be the next elite QB out of Alabama’s strong pedigree of offensive production.
However, Alabama is 100% the kind of program who has to put up performances that get them to the top of the country. Since Nick Saban retired, Alabama has not found their true identity. This year, DeBoer will look to establish that identity and break back into the upper tier of the country.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
16. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan enters the season with plenty of expectations, but also plenty of questions.
Kyle Whittingham can win. He established that when he was at Utah. However, can Bryce Underwood take control of his team and win in the loaded Big Ten?
Jordan Marshall (Cincinnati area product) will look to lead the running back, while Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry will be the leaders of the defense. In good news, we’ll know a lot about the Wolverines as they take on Oklahoma at the Big House on 9/12.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
17. SMU Mustangs
Rhett Lashlee is in his 5th year and after a 9-4 year last year, he and Kevin Jennings are looking for glory. Kendrick Raphael transferred in to lead the backfield, and their schedule is loaded with opportunities.
They are a program similar to BYU who has been able to take off a bit during the NIL and portal era, but will now look to be more nationally consistent.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
18. Tennessee Volunteers
Josh Huepel and co. have their work cut out for them, and especially with all of the QB drama they’ve faced, they will need to solidify all areas to compete with the top of the SEC. However, they’re clearly in the playoff hunt. It will come down to how good the QB play can be. Does 5* Faizon Brandon get the QB job, or does RS freshman George MacIntyre take it?! DeSean Bishop returns and will solidify the rushing game, and they will have a plethora of options out wide with a deep receiving room.
The defense is now being controlled by Jim Knowles who will look to solidify the defense. This schedule is a gauntlet, and after 2 easier games, things get very tough, very quick. They get Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and LSU, just at home.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
19. Utah Utes
Morgan Scalley takes over after Whittingham’s departure. The physical culture for Utah will need to be maintained, and that starts on the ground with Wayshawn Parker, Devin Dampier, and Bird Fickland. However, this roster features a ton of transfer additions this season and they must mesh quickly.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
20. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is much bigger than a coach. However, losing James Franklin is a problem. Bringing in Matt Campbell really helps fix that problem. This year’s iteration of the Nittany Lions will look a little different, they will switch things up quickly. There are 50 new players and this season’s earliest reports have been extremely positive for the defense. The offense is, as expected, a couple steps behind. Rocco Becht will look to lead a no-huddle offense that will look to attack at a quick pace. Can Campbell win the big games?!
National Championship Outlook: ★★★½
21. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville is one of the teams outside the traditional national spotlight that could make a major impact in 2026. Isaac Brown’s health is 100% the most important part of this season. Jeff Brohm and co. brought in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who will look to immediately break out after a bit of development under OSU’s elite staff and players. The Tight End room should be much improved this year. The defense looks to be a very solid unit, returning the core of that 11.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
22. Missouri Tigers
Missouri has quietly developed into one of the SEC’s more competitive programs. Eli Drinkwitz has quickly built a really solid program over the last several years.
They will continue to fly under the radar, but if they can get Ahmad Hardy healthy, this team will be dangerous. However, he will miss time to at least start the season. If he’s out, this team falls out, quickly.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
23. Washington Huskies
Washington enters 2026 looking to reestablish itself among the nation’s elite. Last year, the Huskies had a significant problem with letting teams dominate the trenches when the Huskies were on offense. They also could not get to the QB. However, outside of that, the defense was elite.
This year’s schedule is very light and they have the opportunity to be very dangerous if the offense can take a step forward.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
24. Houston Cougars
Houston gets the nod at No. 24. Last year, they dominated the third quarter and took care of the ball, allowing them to control the ball longer than their opponents, averaging 5 minutes f possession per game more than their opponents. Their offense was good, not great, but this year will look to make the jump. Connor Weigman returns, looking to improve on his 2,700 yard, 25TD passing and 700 yard/11TD rushing performance last year. The defense has 6 starters returning and has fully reloaded.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
25. Clemson Tigers
Clemson rounds out the preseason Top 25. However, I’m not sold on Dabo and co. The 25th spot is honestly just a placeholder and someone has to be here. Clemson went 6-7 last year and things could get ugly if they flop this season. The looming question: is Christopher Vizzina the answer at QB? If the offensive line doesn’t give him time, we may never know.
National Championship Outlook: ★★★
The Biggest Takeaways
Alabama at No. 15 is going to get people talking.
Putting Alabama outside the Top 10 is not a statement that the Crimson Tide are no longer a national name. It’s a statement that the NIL and portal era, plus Saban retiring mean they’re not just automatically going to get the nod they’re used to
Indiana at No. 4:
The Hoosiers have gone from an intriguing story to a program who went undefeated and won the CFP. I’m fully bought into the Cignetti hype and now he has to continue to prove it, but this time, there’s no sneaking up on teams.
The SEC dominates the rankings.
The conference places 11 teams in the Top 25, demonstrating just how difficult the path to the College Football Playoff can be for teams playing in the SEC. The famous moniker “It just means more” is infuriating for neutral fans, but is honestly such a great phrase. The SEC does football better than any conference from top to bottom.
The Big Ten isn’t far behind.
Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State and Washington give the Big Ten-heavy portion of the rankings serious depth. Three different teams having national titles in the last 3 years mean that the Big Ten is the top tier of the sport until proven otherwise.
Final Sansom Sports Media Top 25
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Georgia |
| 3 | Oregon |
| 4 | Indiana |
| 5 | Notre Dame |
| 6 | Texas |
| 7 | Texas A&M |
| 8 | Oklahoma |
| 9 | Ole Miss |
| 10 | Miami (FL) |
| 11 | Texas Tech |
| 12 | LSU |
| 13 | BYU |
| 14 | USC |
| 15 | Alabama |
| 16 | Michigan |
| 17 | SMU |
| 18 | Tennessee |
| 19 | Utah |
| 20 | Penn State |
| 21 | Louisville |
| 22 | Missouri |
| 23 | Washington |
| 24 | Houston |
| 25 | Clemson |
That’s what preseason rankings are for.
Follow Sansom Sports Media throughout the 2026 season as we track which teams live up to the hype, which teams fall short and which teams come out of nowhere to crash the College Football Playoff picture.
What’s your Top 25?
Interested in joining in on voting here this year? We run football and basketball top 25 polls throughout the entire season, including preseason and postseason polls! The community is great!
Use code SSM25 at https://statelineco.shop/ for a great discount on some awesome apparel!
SSM is now an ambassador for Bucked Up! Use the code SSM2026 for a discount at https://www.buckedup.com