Full Breakdown
Ohio State Leads 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll as Big Ten Dominates Top Rankings
8/5/2026, 5:25:48 PM
Core Event: Release of the 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) released its preseason top-25 coaches poll on Tuesday. Ohio State entered the season at No. 1 with 38 of 72 first-place votes and 1,741 points, its first opening-week No. 1 since 2015. Oregon was No. 2 (6 votes, 1,637 points), Georgia No. 3 (7 votes, 1,591 points), Texas No. 4 (2 votes, 1,544 points) and Notre Dame No. 5 (5 votes, 1,522 points). Defending champion Indiana landed at No. 6 with 14 first-place votes. The poll features nine SEC programs and eight Big Ten teams.
Background & Context
Preseason coaches polls gauge national respect but do not determine CFP berths, which are set by the playoff committee. The 2026 poll arrives amid talks of expanding the CFP field. The Big Ten has supplied three national champions in the past three seasons, heightening expectations for its top-ranked clubs. Ohio State’s rise follows a season in which quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith were named Heisman candidates.
Key Figures & Teams
- Julian Sayin — quarterback, Ohio State; Heisman contender
- Jeremiah Smith — wide receiver, Ohio State; Heisman contender
- Dan Lanning — head coach, Oregon
- Curt Cignetti — head coach, Indiana
- Kyle Whittingham — head coach, Michigan
- Matt Campbell — head coach, Penn State
- Lane Kiffin — head coach, LSU
Data & Statistics
- First-place votes: Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame.
- Points (top five): Ohio State 1,741; Oregon 1,637; Georgia 1,591; Texas 1,544; Notre Dame 1,522.
- Conference representation: SEC 9, Big Ten 8, Big 12 4, ACC 3.
- Point gaps: The top five are within 250 points of each other.
Official Statements & Responses
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti praised the Big Ten’s depth, saying “the numbers speak for themselves.” Oregon’s Dan Lanning called his players “hungry.”
Why It Matters / Impact
The poll highlights the Big Ten’s perceived dominance, with three of its programs in the top six. This perception could shape early-season scheduling, media narratives and CFP committee discussions, especially as the league advocates for a larger playoff format. The SEC’s nine-team presence confirms its depth and suggests multiple conference teams will vie for CFP berths.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
ESPN and CBS Sports published identical top-five rankings; ESPN included point totals while CBS offered qualitative analysis. No substantive discrepancies were found.
What’s Next
The season opens on Sept. 5 with LSU vs. Clemson, a top-25 matchup. Ohio State’s schedule begins with a non-conference test; Oregon, Georgia and Texas each host early opponents that will influence their CFP trajectories. The preseason poll will serve as a benchmark for evaluating program performance as the regular season progresses.
