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Ohio State No.1, Oregon Hits Highest-Ever Start in Coaches Poll

8/4/2026

48 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ohio State was voted preseason No. 1 in the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll on Aug. 4, 2026, receiving 38 first-place votes.
Oregon ranked No. 2 with six first-place votes, its highest ever start.
Georgia placed No. 3 with seven first-place votes while Indiana was No. 6 with 14, the second-most.
Six teams earned first-place votes—the most since 2008—and the poll features nine SEC and eight Big Ten teams in the top 25.

History

Historical Context

Since USA Today assumed control of the AFCA Coaches Poll in 1991, the poll has issued its final ranking after bowl games—a practice adopted in 1974. The 2008 poll set a record when six programs shared first-place votes; Ohio State captured twelve of 55. In 2026 Ohio State led with 38 votes, echoing the earlier spread and signaling growing parity across the SEC and Big Ten.

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Story summary

Ohio State was voted preseason No. 1 in the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll on Aug. 4, 2026, receiving 38 first-place votes.
Oregon ranked No. 2 with six first-place votes, its highest ever start.
Georgia placed No. 3 with seven first-place votes while Indiana was No. 6 with 14, the second-most.
Six teams earned first-place votes—the most since 2008—and the poll features nine SEC and eight Big Ten teams in the top 25.

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