Irish Breakdown's Post-Spring Top 25 College Football Rankings
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Now that the spring training window is over, it's time to take a look at our Post-Spring Top 25 rankings. We initially released our Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings back in January after the portal window closed and most acquisitions were made. We've gotten the opportunity to see all of these teams in action.
Position battles are starting to take shape and in some cases like Missouri at quarterback, they've been decided. New coaches now have time with their programs in practice and game-like settings which has helped us with our evaluations. Some teams have moved up and some other teams dropped from our initial rankings. Here's Irish Breakdown's Post-Spring Top 25 rankings:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
When we start the conversations around championship caliber teams and rosters, you have to look at South Bend, Indiana. When there's so little discrepancies between the top seven teams, you start looking at which teams have the least amount of holes, and Notre Dame has very few. They return head coach Marcus Freeman, all three coordinators, their starting quarterback CJ Carr, the No. 1 cornerback in the country Leonard Moore, several key skilled players on both sides of the ball and are very stout in the trenches on offense and defense. We believe this is the best roster in college football and we're not alone in that line of thinking.
2. Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns rose for us compared to our way-too-early rankings. There were some things we needed to see on both sides of the ball. Defensively, how would new coordinator Will Muschamp handle the defense? Offensively, would their line be able to take the next step forward? After spring, we feel really good about both situations. Texas' defense looks to be on the attack and their offensive line looks like it's taking shape and will be able to protect returning starter Arch Manning. Skilled talent on offense is not a question, and the front seven on defense will be stout. If their secondary can play at a high level and offensive line can hold serve, this will be a top title contender this season.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
Too many fans focus on what they've lost, and it's understandable. Notable starters on both offense and defense including their two leading receivers, their running back duo, their best corner and a Heisman winner at quarterback. But when you evaluate this team for what they are now, it's arguably more talented on defense than they were last season. Impact transfers like Joshua Burnham and Tobi Osunsamni step in at defensive end and players like Josh Hoover, Turbo Richard and Nick Marsh look to keep the Hoosier's offense humming. Like Notre Dame, they return their head coach and all three offensive coordinators. Indiana will be championship contenders once again in 2026. Will they go undefeated in win the title like they did last season? We're not predicting it, but the Hoosiers are here to stay until proven otherwise.
4. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks are absolutely loaded with talent. They return a premier starting quarterback in Dante Moore who elected to forego the 2026 NFL Draft and return to Eugene. They bring back a very talented running back room, electric skilled talent on the perimeter, all four starters on the defensive line and a very, very talented secondary. They're bringing in Koi Perich who we believe is a bump in the secondary and receiver Evan Stewart is coming back off of injury and hasn't lost a step. The thing preventing them from being higher on this ranking is really two-fold. First, the outlook of their offensive line is not as high compared to Indiana, Texas and Notre Dame. Second, they had to replace both coordinators from last season.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
This was an interesting team to evaluate. Will they be championship contenders again in 2026? Yes, but they have more questions than the first four teams we discussed. It's established that they have the No. 1 wide receiver returning in college football in Jeremiah Smith. Rising redshirt sophomore Julian Sayin returns at quarterback and they return a lot of experience along the offensive line. We also believe this secondary has a chance to be really, really good despite the loss of Caleb Downs. The questions with Ohio State are around the level of play of their front seven, who steps up alongside Smith and how new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith handles this offense. If those questions get answered positively, then Ohio State will be on another run to the semi-finals.
6. Miami Hurricanes
Miami checks a lot of boxes we look for in title contenders. They return both offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman. They have a talented quarterback, a strong running back duo headlined by returning starter Mark Fletcher, a very talented wide receiving corps, a veteran secondary and a talented defensive line. If we were strictly talking starting line from top to bottom, you could argue Miami should be higher, and I get it. But there's concerns at depth on defense and the offensive line. The Hurricanes can't afford for a player like Damon Wilson II or Justin Scott to go down or it starts to look relatively thin. They'll also have to bring their offensive line together. Freshman Jackson Cantwell looks to have secure the left tackle spot and guys like Matthew McCoy and Ryan Rodriguez have a lot of experience. But they'll need the other two spots to step up.
7. Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were a team that rose up the ranks for us as spring progressed. This is a much more talented team than what they're getting credit for by some. We believe this could be Kirby Smart's most talented team from top to bottom in the last couple of seasons. Obviously, Gunner Stockton returns this season but it's his supporting cast that we believe has gotten an overall skill bump. Athens will be home to one of the best backfields in the SEC, their wide receiving corps has better football players across the two-deep, and this will be their most talented defense in quite some time. We're really high on their secondary and linebackers. For Georgia, they need their defensive line to take the next step and they'll need offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to step up his game.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
One of the biggest questions coming into the spring for the Sooners was the outlook of their trench play on both sides of the ball. As spring began to unfold, we got some of those questions answered. Their offensive line looks to have taken the next step, and there's a chance their defensive line doesn't skip a beat from the effective unit they were last season. They have the skilled pieces on both sides of the ball with quarterback John Mateer coming back, running backs Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock, receiver Isaiah Sategna and the majority of their secondary. The biggest question for Oklahoma will be head coach Brent Venables ability to get the most out of this team. They're on the verge of becoming a championship contender but they'll have to piece it all together.
9. Texas A&M Aggies
Similar to Oklahoma, the Aggies are on the verge of becoming a national title contender. If we were talking about a seven on seven tournament, I'd probably take Texas A&M to win the whole thing, but that's not the case. I'm a big fan of their head coach Mike Elko and I like the host of skilled talented that returns on offense. The major question for the Aggies will be their offensive and defensive lines. They've lost a lot of talent over the last two seasons. Four of their five starters on the offensive line from 2025 have departed. Their losses on the defensive line from the last two seasons are substantial. They have the ability this season to show they can reload, not necessarily rebuild in the trenches, but until they show that, it'll be difficult to claim than as title contenders.
10. BYU Cougars
With the unfortunate news down in Lubbock, Texas, the Cougars are now the front runners to win the Big 12 and it's understandable as to why. Head coach Kalani Sitake is 23-4 over the last two seasons, played for the conference title last season and returns a very experienced and veteran roster this season. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns for his sophomore season, running back LJ Martin returns as one of the best backs in the country. Their offensive line is basically the same as it was last season and their defense returns seven starters including a very talented secondary. I don't know if BYU has the fire power to make a run in the playoffs, but they're a team that grinds out games and wins, plain and simple. I don't see them being much higher than No. 10 but I've been proven wrong in the past.
11. SMU Mustangs
Take the logo off the helmet and the name of the school away and evaluate this team for what it is. SMU is a program that's on the verge, and has the potential, to be on the cusp of a Top 10 program in 2026. Head coach Rhett Lashlee led the Mustangs to the conference championship game and the College Football Playoffs two years ago, a nine win season last season and returns the starting quarterback that engineered both of those runs for 2026. Their skilled talent can give every team on their schedule some problems. Their biggest question is the trenches. All four starting defensive lineman this fall will be portal acquisitions. Can they gel? That will be the key.
12. LSU Tigers
Head coach Lane Kiffin's arrival in Baton Rouge revitalized the faith that the Tigers can make a run to the playoffs. Something that was unlikely under Brian Kelly. There's no question around their skilled talent on both sides of the ball. LSU will have one of the better secondaries in the SEC this season, an experienced quarterback, a strong play-caller on both sides of the ball and loads of talent on the perimeter. The biggest question for the Tigers that they'll have to answer throughout the offseason is their offensive line. Can they protect Sam Leavitt? If yes, then it wouldn't shock me in the slightest if they make a run to the playoffs. If not, then I think we'll push the LSU playoff talk to 2027.
13. Alabama Crimson Tide
By all accounts, this has been a frustrating team to evaluate this spring. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has loads of skill talent on the roster. We expect their quarterback play, whether Keelon Russell or Austin Mack wins the job, to be elevated this season. They have one of the best returning secondaries in the country and talent in the backfield. But one thing we hoped to see over the spring was a heavier emphasis on the run game and offensive line play and we saw no such thing. By most reports, this season for the Crimson Tide will be more of the same. They'll be asking the quarterback to put the team on his shoulders like they did in 2025 and like he did at Washington. If it works out, they might make the playoffs this season, but without a change in identity, they'll be on the cusp and likely out in my opinion.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The news about quarterback Brendan Sorsby is unfortunate for Red Raiders fans but there's still a lot to like about Texas Tech. It's easy to pay attention to what a team lost, but you also have to look at what comes back. Three of their starting offensive lineman return, the majority of their secondary, linebacker Ben Roberts, a trio of talented wide receivers and running back Cameron Dickey. If they go with quarterback Will Hammond or redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones they'll be walking into a solid situation. Their defensive line will take a step back from what they were last season, the question will be how much?
15. Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals were our biggest projection in the Top 25. We like a lot about this team including their head coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm will be getting elevated quarterback play this season with Ohio State transfer Lincoln Keinholz stepping in. They'll have one of the best backfields in the country coming back, some solid skilled talent and from the reports that have come out this spring, the defense should be better this season. The biggest thing with Louisville is their ability to put it all together. Under Brohm, they've had some marquee wins including over Notre Dame in 2023, Clemson in 2024 and Miami in 2025. Unfortunately, they've also had some head-scratching losses during that time as well. If Brohm can avoid a few of those, we could be looking at a potential playoff team in Louisville.
16. Houston Cougars
Houston has been a team we've been high on for a while. Head coach Willie Fritz turned the program around in a matter of a season going from 4-8 in 2024 to 10-3 in 2025. This year, they return a host of talented players including quarterback Connor Weigman and lead receiver Amare Thomas. They have a lot of experience on both sides of the ball and have the ability to make some noise in the Big 12 this year. They aren't my current favorite to win the conference and make the College Football Playoffs, but they're without a doubt on my list of teams to keep an eye out on.
17. Iowa Hawkeyes
Ah, ole reliable. Iowa is a team that I know, every time we release a ranking, will be somewhere in the No. 20 to No. 15 range and it's validated through their previous history the last decade. The Hawkeyes are currently going through a quarterback battle between Jeremy Hecklinkski and Hank Brown for the starting role. Their secondary is coming along and their offensive line will be stout. I haven't had questions about the talent at Iowa in a very long time. I have questions around Kirk Ferentz taking the next step and not limiting his offense like we've seen in the past. Even with his limited-offensive mindset, Iowa is a Top 20 program annually. If they can make the switch, they could be a dark horse to make the playoffs for the first time in the playoff era.
18. USC Trojans
USC was an interesting team for Bryan and I to rank. In our way-too-early rankings, I had them unranked and Bryan had them at No. 13. After spring, we found out that the truth was somewhere in between. There weren't 25 teams better than USC nor were they a fringe playoff team. Coming in at 18th is a result of a couple of things. First, we still don't have any clarity on what a Gary Patterson defense will look like. Will he be able to maintain the foundation that D'Anton Lynn laid? Second is the offense. I'm confident that they'll be able to run the football behind a good offensive line and a stable of backs. My question is on the perimeter. Who steps up alongside receiver Tanook Hines? They'll be relying on some true freshman which is always an interesting spot to be in.
19. Washington Huskies
The Huskies were a team that was interesting to evaluate. They rose from my initial way-too-early rankings and dropped from Bryan's. One of the biggest questions for the Huskies was the reception of quarterback Demond Williams after the offseason portal drama and it doesn't sound like that's been an issue. The defense sounds like it's taking a step forward under year two of the Ryan Walters era, but there's still two major question marks. First, can they have success on the road? We won't find that out until the season starts. The other question, and the biggest, is their offensive line. If they can't protect Williams, I expect to see similar results to Jedd Fisch's first two seasons in the Big 10. If they can, they might make some noise in conference.
20. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State is a team that I could see quickly rising in the ranks. I love some of their portal pickups, especially at wide receiver bringing in Reed Harris from Boston College and Omarion Miller from Colorado. They have a deep running back room, and their defense could take a step forward this season. My biggest question with Arizona State is the play at quarterback. They have a lot of options between Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley, redshirt freshman Cameron Dyer, true freshman Jake Fetta or redshirt senior transfer Mikey Keene. They're going to an offense-friendly program under Kenny Dillingham but quarterback play will dictate a lot of their success this season.
21. Clemson Tigers
Let's be real about something, the 2025 season under Dabo Swinney was the anomaly in his tenure for the past 15 years. Will they be 2013-2020 Clemson this year? No, but I also don't think they go 7-6 again. Offensive coordinator Chad Morris is revitalizing this offense and talented true freshman quarterback Chris Vizzina elevates the offense. They're going to have one of the best receiving corps in the country and had a little 'addition by subtraction' on defense. They have talented players returning on both side of the ball and the run game looks to be much more potent this year than last. This is a prime spot for Swinney with the majority doubting his program. I would not be shocked if Clemson was a playoff team again in 2026.
22. Michigan Wolverines
A lot of this ranking comes from the faith I have in head coach Kyle Whittingham and defensive coordinator Jay Hill who came over from BYU. They have talent at certain positions, but I think they lack the overall firepower to make them true contenders in the Big 10. This will have to be a big year of growth for quarterback Bryce Underwood. I don't put too much on his lackluster performance in the spring game. He wasn't able to utilize the strongest part of his game. That being said, he will have to elevate as a passer. Defensively, I expect Michigan to be stout on the defensive line headlined by John Henry-Daley and be very well-coached throughout.
23. Missouri Tigers
There's a lot to like with Missouri this season and it starts at quarterback. I think the decision to quickly name Austin Simmons, an Ole Miss transfer, was a good one and they'll have a proven backup in Matt Zollers who's about a year away from being able to take the reigns. They have one of the best returning running backs in the country in Ahmad Hardy and some talent at receiver. The biggest question for me with the Tigers will be their defense. After losing a player like Wilson II who is at Miami, how will their trench play be? Can head coach Eli Drinkwitz get the most out of this team? Only time will tell, but I like the team they're building.
24. Tennessee Volunteers
If the Vols had named a starting quarterback this spring, they'd be higher on this ranking for us. But even with the uncertainty at quarterback, they've still cracked the Top 25. We like how they're put together in the trenches and the defense will look a lot closer to what they had in 2024 than what they had in 2025. Will it be as good as the 2024 defense? No, but I certainly don't think it will be like the defense they had last season. Tennessee's season will come down to two things. First, who wins the quarterback battle? Second, can head coach Josh Heuppel bring this roster together? That's something he hasn't done since he arrived in Knoxville. If he can, they could make some noise in the SEC.
25. Virginia Cavaliers
This is a 'prove-it' year for the Cavaliers. Was their 2025 season a fluke or something Virginia fans should start to expect under head coach Tony Elliot? Right now, they're going through a quarterback battle between Missouri transfer Beau Pribula and Pitt transfer Eli Holstein. Whoever wins the job will be playing behind an offensive line that returns three starters and gets Monroe Mills back from injury. They'll also be throwing to a trio of talented receivers including former Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores. Can Virginia repeat what they did last year? Potentially, and this offseason will be a big indicator.
You can watch the entire Post-Spring Top 25 rankings show here:
——-
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos