Full Breakdown
CBS Sports Unveils 2026 Preseason Top 138 College Football Rankings
8/13/2026, 11:06:36 AM
Core Event: Release of the 2026 Preseason Top 138 Rankings
CBS Sports published its preseason ranking of all 138 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs for the 2026 season. The list places Ohio State at the top spot, with Oregon listed directly behind. The ranking also highlights notable jumps for several SEC teams and reflects extensive roster turnover and coaching changes across the landscape.
Background & Context
Preseason polls serve as an early gauge of expectations based on prior-season performance, returning talent, and offseason moves such as transfers and coaching hires. The 2025 season saw a surge of surprise performances—Virginia finished 7-1 in ACC play, and Vanderbilt posted a 10-2 record—while programs like Florida and LSU experienced dramatic year-over-year adjustments due to injuries, coaching changes, and the “Lane Kiffin effect.” These trends set the stage for the 2026 rankings, which incorporate both on-field results and projected impact of the transfer portal.
Data & Statistics
- Ohio State – Ranked No. 1, bolstered by returning stars quarterback Jeremiah Smith and running back Julian Sayin.
- Oregon – Ranked No. 2, noted as a “clear favorite” under head coach Dan Lanning.
- SEC Movement – Multiple SEC programs made significant jumps, underscoring the conference’s depth. Specific positions for each SEC team are not enumerated in the sources.
- Notable Drops – Florida fell 49 spots to No. 22; LSU rose 43 spots to No. 10; Penn State climbed 28 spots to No. 18.
- Coaching-Change Impact – Teams such as Tulane (down 68 spots to No. 86) and North Texas (down 88 spots to No. 112) illustrate the ranking volatility tied to departures of head coaches Bob Chesney, Jon Sumrall, and Eric Morris.
- Transfer Portal Influence – Oklahoma State, despite a 1-11 record in 2025, received a No. 25 preseason placement from analyst Joel Klatt after adding 55 transfers, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
Why It Matters / Impact
The narrow margin separating Ohio State and Oregon signals a highly competitive national landscape, with both programs positioned as early playoff contenders. The elevated SEC presence suggests the conference will remain a central factor in the race for conference titles and the College Football Playoff. Additionally, the pronounced ranking shifts for programs undergoing coaching turnovers highlight how quickly the transfer portal can reshape competitive expectations, potentially affecting recruiting battles and scheduling strategies throughout the season.
Official Statements & Responses
CBS Sports described the Ohio State–Oregon gap as “slim,” emphasizing continuity at Ohio State as a key reason for its top placement. Joel Klatt’s preseason Top 25 placement of Oklahoma State at No.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources do not provide alternative rankings from other outlets that contradict CBS Sports’ placements, nor do they specify exact numerical margins between the top two teams. Consequently, the precise point differential and any dissenting assessments remain unreported.
What’s Next
The 2026 college football season will commence in the fall, with Ohio State and Oregon slated to open their campaigns as the highest-ranked teams. Early-season matchups, including Oregon’s Week 2 test against Oklahoma State, will offer the first practical assessment of the preseason projections. Subsequent weekly polls will track how the initial rankings hold up against on-field performance.
