Full Breakdown
Ohio State Tops 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll, Oregon Rises to No. 2
8/5/2026, 5:27:54 PM
2026 Preseason Coaches Poll Places Ohio State at No. 1
The American Football Coaches Association released its preseason top-25 ranking for the 2026 college football season. Ohio State entered the poll as the No. 1 team, receiving 38 of the 72 first-place votes and accumulating 1,741 points. Oregon follows at No. 2 with six first-place votes and 1,637 points. Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame round out the top five. Defending champion Indiana, which posted a perfect 16-0 record last season, starts at No. 6 after earning the second-most first-place votes.
Recent Championship Trends Shape the Rankings
The poll reflects the dominance of the Big Ten in recent College Football Playoff history: Big Ten programs captured each of the past three national titles. That success is echoed in the poll composition, with eight Big Ten teams appearing, compared with nine SEC teams, four from the Big 12 and three from the ACC. The SEC still holds the most spots in the top ten, but the Big Ten’s strong showing underscores its perceived depth heading into the new season.
Points, Votes, and Projected Records
- Ohio State: 38 first-place votes, 1,741 points, projected 12-2 record.
- Oregon: 6 first-place votes, 1,637 points, projected 13-2 record.
- Georgia: 7 first-place votes, 1,591 points, projected 12-2 record.
- Texas: 2 first-place votes, 1,544 points, projected 10-3 record.
- Notre Dame: 5 first-place votes, 1,522 points, projected 10-2 record.
- Indiana: 14 first-place votes, 1,522 points, projected 16-0 record from the prior season.
The poll also lists the remaining top-25 teams, including Miami (No. 7), Texas A&M (No. 8) and Ole Miss (No. 10). The SEC contributed nine teams to the list, while the Big Ten contributed eight, the Big 12 four, and the ACC three.
Coaches’ Reactions to the Poll
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti praised the Big Ten’s overall quality, noting that the conference’s physical, well-coached teams provide strong preparation for the playoffs. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning expressed confidence that his players are eager and motivated for the upcoming campaign. Both comments highlight the competitive atmosphere that the poll’s rankings have helped to frame.
Implications for the Upcoming Season
The preseason rankings set expectations for several programs. Ohio State’s top placement marks its first No. 1 start in the coaches’ poll since 2015, positioning the Buckeyes as a benchmark for the season. Oregon’s rise to No. 2 signals a potential shift in power within the Pac-12. Meanwhile, the poll notes that three top-10 teams from the previous year—Penn State, Clemson and LSU—suffered six-loss seasons and underwent coaching changes, suggesting that high preseason rankings do not guarantee success. Clemson’s No. 9 spot represents its lowest preseason ranking since 2011, indicating heightened scrutiny for the program. As the season approaches, the distribution of votes and projected records will be closely watched to gauge whether the preseason outlook aligns with on-field performance.
