It’s Official: Ohio State #1, Oregon #2 in Preseason AP Poll
Big Ten Takes Over: Ohio State and Oregon Rule the Preseason College Football Rankings
Quick Summary: For the first time in 65 years, the Big Ten conference holds the top two spots in the AP Preseason Top 25 poll. Ohio State is #1 and Oregon is #2, setting up what could be a historic season.
What Happened?
On August 17, 2026, the Associated Press (AP) released their preseason rankings for college football. These rankings are voted on by 69 media members who cover the sport. Think of it like a "best guess" of which teams will be the strongest before a single game is played.
The Big Headlines
- Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked #1 (received 40 first-place votes)
- Oregon Ducks are ranked #2 (received 14 first-place votes)
- This is the first time since 1961 that the Big Ten has the top two teams
- Only the second time ever a conference has held spots 1 and 2 in the preseason
The Full Top 25 Rankings
| Rank | Team | First-Place Votes | Points | 2025 Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 40 | 1,672 | 12-2 |
| 2 | Oregon | 14 | 1,597 | 13-2 |
| 3 | Georgia | — | 1,513 | 12-2 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 6 | 1,510 | 10-2 |
| 5 | Texas | — | 1,483 | 10-3 |
| 6 | Indiana | 8 | 1,440 | 16-0 |
| 7 | Miami | 1 | 1,379 | 13-3 |
| 8 | Texas A&M | — | 1,131 | 11-2 |
| 9 | Ole Miss | — | 1,102 | 13-2 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | — | 1,047 | 10-3 |
| 11 | LSU | — | 988 | 7-6 |
| 12 | Texas Tech | — | 983 | 12-2 |
| 13 | Alabama | — | 904 | 11-4 |
| 14 | BYU | — | 839 | 12-2 |
| 14 | USC | — | 839 | 9-4 |
| 16 | Michigan | — | 718 | 9-4 |
| 17 | Washington | — | 501 | 9-4 |
| 18 | Penn State | — | 482 | 7-6 |
| 19 | SMU | — | 434 | 9-4 |
| 20 | Tennessee | — | 394 | 8-5 |
| 21 | Utah | — | 304 | 11-2 |
| 22 | Iowa | — | 260 | 9-4 |
| 23 | Houston | — | 252 | 10-3 |
| 24 | Louisville | — | 194 | 9-4 |
| 25 | Missouri | — | 117 | 8-5 |
Why This Is a Big Deal
History in the Making
CALLOUT: IMPORTANT CONTEXT
The last time the Big Ten had #1 and #2 was 1961 — that’s 65 years ago! Back then, it was Iowa and Ohio State. Iowa started 4-0 but then lost 4 of their last 5 games and finished unranked. Ohio State went 8-0-1 and finished #2.
The only other time a conference had the top two preseason spots was 1987, when Oklahoma and Nebraska (both from the Big Eight) did it.
Big Ten Dominance Continues
The Big Ten has won the last THREE College Football Playoff championships:
- Michigan (2023 season)
- Ohio State (2024 season)
- Indiana (2025 season)
Now they’re going for an unprecedented FOURTH straight title. This is also the fourth year in a row the Big Ten has had two of the top three preseason teams.
Conference Breakdown
| Conference | Teams in Top 25 | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| SEC | 9 | Most of any conference; 5 in top 10 (first time since 2013) |
| Big Ten | Multiple | Holds #1, #2, and defending champ Indiana at #6 |
| Big 12 | 4 | Texas Tech highest at #12 |
| ACC | 3 | Miami (#7), SMU (#19), Louisville (#24) |
| Group of Six | 0 | No teams from smaller conferences made the cut |
Team Storylines to Watch
Ohio State: The Heavy Favorite
- 9th time starting a season at #1 (tied with Alabama for 2nd most all-time; Oklahoma has 10)
- Loaded offense returning:
- Julian Sayin (QB) — Most accurate passer in the nation last year
- Jeremiah Smith (WR) — Leads nation in receiving yards & TDs over last 2 years
- Bo Jackson (RB) — 1,000+ yards rushing as a freshman
- Tough schedule: Plays at Texas (Sept 12), at Indiana, and vs. Oregon at home
- Defense reload: 8 starters gone, but 6+ transfers expected to step in immediately
- Chasing history: Only 11 teams have started AND finished #1 since 1950 (last: Alabama 2017)
Oregon: Highest Preseason Rank Ever
- Previous best: #4 (done four times)
- Now sitting at #2 — program history!
Indiana: The Underdog Champs
- Defending national champions but ranked #6 (outside top 5!)
- First team in modern era to go 16-0
- Only 7th defending champ in 40 years to start outside top 5
- QB change: Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza left for NFL; TCU transfer Josh Hoover takes over — this worried voters
Georgia: Consistent Excellence
- 9th straight year in preseason top 5
- Two-time defending SEC champs
- Favored for 6th straight SEC title game appearance
Texas & Texas A&M: Lone Star Rising
- Texas: 3rd straight year in top 5 (was #1 last year)
- Texas A&M: First top 10 preseason since 2022
Notre Dame: Back Near the Top
- Highest preseason rank since #2 in 2006
- 10-game winning streak entering season
- Heisman candidate QB CJ Carr
- Still motivated from being left out of playoff last year
LSU: New Era
- Lane Kiffin’s first team ranked #11
- Coming off 7-6 season (unranked) under previous coaches
Who’s Missing?
10 of 12 College Football Playoff teams from last year are ranked. The two missing:
- James Madison (Group of Six)
- Tulane (Group of Six)
Houston (#23) earns its first preseason ranking in 4 years (only 3rd since 1991).
Summary
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a Big Ten showcase. With Ohio State and Oregon sitting 1-2, the defending champion Indiana at #6, and the conference chasing a historic fourth straight national title, all eyes will be on the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. The SEC remains deep with 9 ranked teams, but the Big Ten has the star power at the very top. Ohio State’s loaded offense and brutal early schedule will be the season’s biggest storyline — can they become the 12th team ever to wire-to-wire at #1?
FAQ
What is the AP Top 25 poll?
A: It’s a weekly ranking of the best college football teams, voted on by 69 sports writers and broadcasters. The "preseason" poll comes out before any games are played — it’s basically an educated guess based on returning players, recruiting, and coaching.
Why does it matter if a conference has the top two teams?
A: It shows conference dominance. Since the playoff system started, having multiple top-ranked teams gives a conference better odds to place teams in the 12-team College Football Playoff. It also brings more TV money, better recruits, and national attention.
How can Indiana be the defending champion but only ranked #6?
A: Voters look at who’s coming back, not just last year’s trophy. Indiana lost their Heisman-winning QB (Fernando Mendoza) to the NFL. The new QB (Josh Hoover) is a transfer, and voters aren’t sure he’ll be as good. Plus, Indiana’s schedule gets much harder this year.
What does "wire-to-wire #1" mean?
A: It means a team starts the season ranked #1 in the preseason poll and finishes the season ranked #1 in the final poll. Only 11 teams have done it since 1950. Ohio State is trying to be #12.
Why are there no "Group of Six" teams ranked?
A: The "Group of Six" refers to the smaller conferences (like the American Athletic, Mountain West, Sun Belt, etc.). Their teams rarely get preseason respect because they play weaker schedules. James Madison and Tulane made the playoff last year but didn’t get enough votes to crack the top 25 this August.