Predicting the 2026 preseason AP Poll
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As we inch closer to the start of the 2026 college football season, we’ll pass one more major checkpoint in the offseason later today with the release of the preseason AP Poll. To preview what’s to come, we’ll be taking a stab at what the initial AP Poll could look like. As a reminder, this is a prediction of what we think the poll will be, not necessarily what it should be.
Without any further ado, let’s get into it.
Others receiving votes: Arizona, Boise State, Florida State, Houston, Illinois, South Carolina
25. Missouri
2025 Result: 8-5, lost Gator Bowl
Missouri starts us off, with the Tigers coming off back-to-back underwhelming seasons. Austin Simmons comes in as the new quarterback along with a handful of transfers on both sides of the ball. The biggest question will be about star running back Ahmad Hardy, who is recovering from a gunshot wound suffered in the offseason.
24. Florida
2025 Result: 4-8
Jon Sumrall comes in to lead the Florida program in 2026, and there’s some real optimism the Gators can get things turned around. Florida already had a talented roster last season and made a few key transfer portal additions, including at quarterback, so there’s hope that better guidance will help fuel a return to prominence.
23. Iowa
2025 Result: 9-4, won Reliaquest Bowl
As sure as the sun rising, you can bank on Iowa being elite defensively in 2026, but the Hawkeyes will have some work to do offensively with quarterback Mark Gronowski now in the NFL. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski will battle it out for the starting job.
22. Louisville
2025 Result: 9-4, won Boca Raton Bowl
It was quite a busy offseason for Louisville, with several additions to the roster through the portal on both sides of the ball, perhaps giving the Cardinals a chance to surprise in 2026. Lincoln Keinholz comes in from Ohio State as the team’s new quarterback, while star running back Isaac Brown is also back.
21. Tennessee
2025 Result: 8-5, lost Music City Bowl
There are a few more questions about Tennessee in 2026 than we’ve had in recent years, but there’s little doubt the offense can be successful under Josh Heupel, even with a few key starters to replace. The defense, however, did get some much-needed reinforcements through the transfer portal.
20. SMU
2025 Result: 9-4, won Holiday Bowl
Miami is the clear top dog in the ACC, but SMU is probably No. 2. Quarterback Kevin Jennings is one of the more fun quarterbacks to watch, and he’s back to lead the offense. Meanwhile, the defense got plenty of additions through the portal, something that should bring the Mustangs a bit more balance.
19. Utah
2025 Result: 11-2, won Las Vegas Bowl
It’s a new era for Utah with longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley taking over for Kyle Whittingham. Quarterback Devon Dampier is back to lead the offense after a breakout season, but several contributors and assistant coaches departed in the offseason, making it an uphill battle for the Utes this year.
18. Washington
2025 Result: 9-4, won LA Bowl
Washington is looking to take a slight step forward in 2026 with a pretty navigable schedule for the third year of the Jedd Fisch era. The Huskies have a few key skill players to replace on offense, but quarterback Demond Williams is back after flirting with transferring this offseason.
17. Penn State
2025 Result: 7-6, won Pinstripe Bowl
It was a season to forget for Penn State in 2025. Matt Campbell replaced James Franklin, finally leaping to a bigger job after exceeding expectations at Iowa State for the last decade. Seemingly half of Iowa State’s roster joined him in State College, fueling optimism for a big turnaround.
16. BYU
2025 Result: 12-2, won Pop-Tarts Bowl
Nobody but Texas Tech beat BYU in 2025, and the Cougars were right on the edge of the College Football Playoff discussion as a result. In 2026, BYU is going to be fighting for a shot at the CFP again, but the ceiling of the defense will be a question with coordinator Jay Hill now at Michigan.
15. Alabama
2025 Result: 11-4, lost in CFP quarterfinal
The Crimson Tide are no longer a perennial top-10 team, but should still be competitive in the SEC this year thanks to a defense that should once again be strong. The storyline to watch for Alabama before the season starts will be the quarterback battle between Austin Mack and former five-star recruit Keelon Russell.
14. Michigan
2025 Result: 10-4, lost Citrus Bowl
Whittingham taking over the program has many believing Michigan will take a step forward in 2026, and it should do so thanks to all the young talent that returned from last season. When talking about Michigan, it’s been the schedule that gives many folks pause, but the roster is still among the best in the Big Ten.
13. USC
2025 Result: 9-4, lost in Alamo Bowl
One of the predicted breakout teams in 2026, USC will look to finally get into the CFP this season after a year of being good, not great. Jayden Maiava is sneakily one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, and the defensive front is probably the best USC has had under Lincoln Riley, although that’s not saying much.
12. Oklahoma
2025 Result: 10-3, lost in CFP first round
Oklahoma is looking to take another step forward under head coach Brent Venables this season. The Sooners will come into the year with one of the best defensive fronts in the country and also bring back quarterback John Matteer and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna on offense. They’ll be tested right out of the gate with a trip to Michigan in Week 2.
11. LSU
2025 Result: 7-6, lost in Texas Bowl
Lane Kiffin will lead the charge for LSU in what many hope to be a return to glory in Baton Rouge. Despite the drama, it was a great offseason for LSU with plenty of portal additions on both sides of the ball, most notably quarterback Sam Leavitt, one of the more fun players to watch in the country.
10. Texas Tech
2025 Result: 12-2, lost in CFP quarterfinal
After winning the Big 12, Texas Tech turned in a real dud in the CFP with a loss to Oregon. The Red Raiders were the talk of the offseason with the Brenden Sorsby saga, and even with him no longer on the team, they still have a highly talented roster on paper and a solid quarterback in Will Hammond to lead the offense.
9. Ole Miss
2025 Result: 13-2, lost in CFP semifinal
Ole Miss made a surprise run in the CFP last season under new head coach Pete Golding after the Kiffin debacle. The Rebels bring back Trinidad Chambliss, one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, to lead the offense. Ole Miss loaded up on defense in the transfer portal as well, possibly setting up a big step forward on that side of the ball.
8. Texas A&M
2025 Result: 11-2, lost in CFP first round
The season came to an unexpectedly early end for Texas A&M in the first round of the CFP last year. Plenty of talent returns for the Aggies, and some nice additions were made in the portal to supplement the group. Watch for Texas A&M as a sleeper in the SEC this year with a pretty manageable schedule.
7. Miami
2025 Result: 13-3, lost in CFP championship game
We now enter the top tier of teams with the strongest chances of winning it all. Miami kicks off that tier after making a surprise run to the National Championship last year. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney lead the offense, but the Hurricanes will need some new stars to step up along their defensive line.
6. Georgia
2025 Result: 12-2, lost in CFP quarterfinal
It feels wrong to have Georgia this low after another great regular season and plenty of talent returning all around the roster. The formula isn’t going to change for the Bulldogs in 2026 either, with Gunner Stockton back at quarterback, along with what’ll be one of the strongest defenses in the country yet again.
5. Notre Dame
2025 Result: 10-2, opted out of bowl game
Notre Dame missed the CFP last year, but is a strong bet to bounce back and not only make it this year, but make a deep run. Marcus Freeman’s team is strong on defense, but quarterback C.J. Carr is also back as one of the nation’s best; he got some new receivers from the transfer portal to throw to as well.
4. Indiana
2025 Result: 16-0, won National Championship
Coming off a national title in Year 2 of the Curt Cignetti era, Indiana will once again be one of the best teams in the country by relying on its formula of transfers and elite defense. Quarterback Josh Hoover steps in to fill the shoes of Fernando Mendoza, a big ask, but the TCU transfer has some of the best arm talent in the country.
3. Texas
2025 Result: 10-3, won Citrus Bowl
After being No. 1 in the preseason poll last season, a slow start to the year derailed things for Texas in 2025. However, the Longhorns got hot down the stretch and had a great offseason in the transfer portal while returning plenty of starters. A tough schedule awaits, but Texas has as strong a roster as anyone in the country.
2. Oregon
2025 Result: 13-2, lost in CFP semifinal
Oregon makes a good argument to have the best roster in the country. The Ducks are led by quarterback Dante Moore, who enters his second year as the Ducks’ starter with a chance to compete for the Heisman. If there was ever a year for Dan Lanning to get his team over the hump, it’s 2026.
1. Ohio State
2025 Result: 12-2 record, lost in CFP quarterfinal
Ohio State was No. 1 in the Coaches Poll, and it seems likely the Buckeyes will be at the top of the AP Poll as well. Despite losing plenty of talent on defense and star wide receiver Carnell Tate, there’s lots of trust in Ryan Day, Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin to have another great season, even with a very tough schedule.
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