Introduction to the 2026 College Football Season
The world of college football is always full of surprises, and the upcoming season is no exception. With the transfer portal and NIL era in full swing, teams are experiencing unprecedented turnover. A year ago, Penn State was ranked No. 1, but now they’ll have a new coach, Matt Campbell, and may start a transfer at most positions. This level of uncertainty makes it challenging to predict which teams will dominate the field. However, after careful analysis, I’m excited to share my top 25 rankings for the 2026 season.
Top Contenders
1. Oregon (13-2 in 2025)
The Ducks are looking fierce with the return of projected top-five draft pick Dante Moore, who decided to come back for another season. With Moore leading the charge, Oregon is poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. The team’s entire first-string defensive line is also returning, and they’ve added some impressive transfers, including QB Dylan Raiola from Nebraska and WR Iverson Hooks from UAB. The biggest concerns for the Ducks are finding two new starters at offensive tackle and adjusting to new coordinators.
2. Ohio State (12-2)
The Buckeyes are always a force to be reckoned with, and this season is no exception. Despite losing some key players to the NFL, they’re returning QB Julian Sayin, RB Bo Jackson, and WR Jeremiah Smith. The team has also added some talented transfers, including DT James Smith from Alabama and DE Qua Russaw from Alabama. However, they’ll need to replace the bulk of their defensive lineup, which could be a challenge.
3. Georgia (12-2)
The Bulldogs are looking strong with the return of QB Gunner Stockton, RB Nate Frazier, and TE Lawson Luckie. They’ve also added some impressive transfers, including WR Isiah Canion from Georgia Tech and edge Amaris Williams from Auburn. However, they’ll need to develop a more consistent pass rush and replace some key players who left for the NFL.
Middle of the Pack
4. Miami (13-3)
The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive season, and they’re looking to build on that momentum. They’ve added some talented transfers, including WR Vandrevius Jacobs from South Carolina and WR Cam Vaughn from West Virginia. They’re also expected to land Duke star Darian Mensah, which would be a huge boost to their offense.
5. Texas (10-3)
The Longhorns are looking to make a statement this season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB Arch Manning is back, and he’ll be joined by RB Hollywood Smothers from NC State and WR Cam Coleman from Auburn. The team’s defense will need to replace some key players, but they’ve added some talented transfers, including LB Rasheem Biles from Pitt.
Dark Horses
6. Indiana (16-0)
The Hoosiers are coming off a perfect season, and they’re looking to repeat as national champions. They’ve lost some key players, but they’ve added some talented transfers, including QB Josh Hoover from TCU and WR Nick Marsh from Michigan State. They’ll need to replace some key players on defense, but they’ve got a strong recruiting class coming in.
7. Notre Dame (10-2)
The Fighting Irish are always a force to be reckoned with, and this season is no exception. They’ve got a strong returning class, including QB CJ Carr and WR Jordan Faison. They’ve also added some impressive transfers, including WR Quincy Porter from Ohio State and DE Keon Keeley from Alabama.
Teams to Watch
8. BYU (12-2)
The Cougars are looking strong with the return of QB Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin. They’ve also added some talented transfers, including TE Walker Lyons from USC and LB Cade Uluave from Cal.
9. Oklahoma (10-3)
The Sooners are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB John Mateer is back, and he’ll be joined by WR Trell Haris from Virginia and WR Parker Livingstone from Texas.
10. Texas Tech (12-2)
The Red Raiders are looking to build on their impressive season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati is a huge get, and they’ve also added WR Malcolm Simmons from Auburn and DT Mateen Ibirogba from Wake Forest.
On the Bubble
11. Texas A&M (11-2)
The Aggies are looking to make a statement this season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB Marcel Reed is back, and he’ll be joined by WR Isaiah Horton from Alabama and OL Wilkin Formby from Alabama.
12. USC (9-4)
The Trojans are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Jayden Maiava is back, and he’ll be joined by WR Terrell Anderson from NC State and LB Deven Bryant from Washington.
13. Missouri (8-5)
The Tigers are looking to make a statement this season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB Austin Simmons from Ole Miss is a huge get, and they’ve also added WR Donovan Olugbode and LB Nicholas Rodriguez.
14. Michigan (9-4)
The Wolverines are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Bryce Underwood is back, and he’ll be joined by TE JJ Buchanan from Utah and DE John Henry Daley from Utah.
15. Ole Miss (13-2)
The Rebels are looking to build on their impressive season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. RB Kewan Lacy is back, and he’ll be joined by QB Deuce Knight from Auburn and WR Darrell Gill Jr. from Syracuse.
Teams to Keep an Eye On
16. LSU (7-6)
The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Sam Leavitt from Arizona State is a huge get, and they’ve also added WR Jayce Brown from Kansas State and LB TJ Dottery from Ole Miss.
17. Louisville (9-4)
The Cardinals are looking to make a statement this season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB Lincoln Kienholz from Ohio State is a huge get, and they’ve also added WR Tre Richardson from Vanderbilt and edge Tyler Thompson from North Carolina.
18. Iowa (9-4)
The Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Jeremy Hecklinski from Wake Forest is a huge get, and they’ve also added RB L.J Phillips Jr. from South Dakota and WR Tony Diaz from UT Rio Grande Valley.
19. Washington (9-4)
The Huskies are looking to make a statement this season, and they’ve added some impressive transfers to help them do so. QB Demond Williams Jr. is back, and he’ll be joined by RB Jayden Limar from Oregon and DT DeSean Watts from Sacramento State.
20. Alabama (11-4)
The Crimson Tide are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and they’ve added some talented transfers to help them do so. QB Austin Mack or Keelon Russell will be leading the charge, and they’ve also added WR Noah Rogers from NC State and DE Devan Thompkins from USC.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with many teams looking to make a statement. From the top contenders like Oregon and Ohio State to the dark horses like Indiana and Notre Dame, there’s no shortage of talent and competition. As the season gets underway, it will be interesting to see which teams rise to the top and which ones fall short. One thing is for sure, though – it’s going to be a wild ride.
