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Preseason Top 25 Breakdown: Who’s Legit & Who’s Overrated?
2026 Preseason College Football Coaches Poll: Your Complete Guide to the Top 25
Published: August 4, 2026
Source: US LBM Coaches Poll
What Is This Poll and Why Should You Care?
Imagine if all the smartest college football coaches got together before the season started and voted on which teams they think are the best. That’s exactly what the US LBM Coaches Poll is!
Every August, coaches from across the country rank their top 25 teams. This gives fans a sneak peek at who the experts think will compete for the national championship. Think of it as the "official starting lineup" for the college football conversation.
IMPORTANT POINT: This poll comes out before any games are played. Teams will move up and down as the season happens based on wins, losses, and how impressive they look.
The Big Headlines You Need to Know
| Headline | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Ohio State is #1 | First time since 2015 the Buckeyes start at the top |
| Big Ten Dominates Top 2 | Ohio State (#1) and Oregon (#2) are conference rivals |
| Indiana is #6 | The defending national champions start surprisingly low |
| LSU & Penn State Return | Both unranked last year, now back in Top 25 with new coaches |
| Clemson at #23 | Lowest preseason rank in years for the former powerhouse |
Top 5 Teams: The Championship Contenders
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2 last year)
Points: 1,741 | First-place votes: 38 | Opens: Sept 5 vs Ball State
Why they’re #1:
- Two Heisman favorites: QB Julian Sayin + WR Jeremiah Smith
- Best roster talent in the country top-to-bottom
- Defense was #1 nationally last year – lost some stars but DL Kenyatta Jackson leads a reload
Watch out: History shows #1 teams don’t always stay there!
2. Oregon Ducks (13-2 last year)
Points: 1,637 | First-place votes: 6 | Opens: Sept 5 vs Boise State
Why they’re #2:
- Highest preseason ranking in program history
- QB Dante Moore + elite TE Jamari Johnson + WR Dakorien Moore
- Best defensive front in the nation with Matayo Uiagalelei & Bear Alexander
- Added Minnesota safety transfer Koi Perich
Big Question: Can the offensive line finally hold up in big games? It’s failed them in two straight playoff runs.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (12-2 last year)
Points: 1,591 | First-place votes: 7 | Opens: Sept 5 vs Tennessee State
Why they’re #3:
- QB Gunner Stockton – "won’t wow you but makes every right play"
- Elite defense with DBs Ellis Robinson & KJ Bolden + LBs Raylen Wilson & Chris Cole
- Urgency factor – lost first playoff game two years in a row
Concern: Young receivers need to step up fast for Stockton to trust them.
4. Texas Longhorns (10-3 last year)
Points: 1,544 | First-place votes: 2 | Opens: Sept 5 vs Texas State
Why they’re #4:
- All-in for Arch Manning’s potential final season
- Transfer portal haul: RB Hollywood Smothers, RB Raleek Brown, WR Cam Coleman (from Auburn)
- New DC Will Muschamp + star DL Colin Simmons
- Must fix: Secondary allowed 235 passing yards/game last year
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2 last year)
Points: 1,524 | First-place votes: 5 | Opens: Sept 6 vs Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Why they’re #5:
- Motivated – missed playoff by a hair last year
- QB CJ Carr takes over after losing two great RBs
- Secondary could be nation’s best with Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, + Colorado transfer DJ McKinney
- Must start fast – November schedule leaves no room for error
The Rest of the Top 25 (Quick Hits)
| Rank | Team | Record | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Indiana | 16-0 | Defending champs with new QB Josh Hoover (from TCU) – program record high rank |
| 7 | Miami | 13-3 | One drive from title last year; QB Darian Mensah arrives from Duke |
| 8 | Texas A&M | 11-2 | QB Marcel Reed + WR Mario Craver back; brutal schedule (at Bama, LSU, OU + home vs Texas) |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 10-3 | QB John Mateer must bounce back from thumb injury; defense finally elite under Venables |
| 10 | Ole Miss | 13-2 | QB Trinidad Chambliss cleared to play by court ruling; RB Kewan Lacy = dynamic duo |
| 11 | Alabama | 11-4 | Kalen DeBoer on hot seat; QB battle (Austin Mack vs Keelon Russell); OL must improve |
| 12 | Texas Tech | 12-2 | QB chaos (Brendan Sorsby turmoil); Will Hammond steps in; lost key defensive stars |
| 13 | LSU | 7-6 | Lane Kiffin era begins; QB Sam Levitt (ASU transfer); opens vs #23 Clemson |
| 14 | USC | 9-4 | Lincoln Riley’s seat warming; QB Jayden Maiava Year 2; new DC Gary Patterson; brutal schedule |
| 15 | BYU | 12-2 | QB Bear Bachmeier breakout; RB LJ Martin; snubbed from playoff last year |
| 16 | Michigan | 9-4 | Kyle Whittingham (ex-Utah) = 2nd outside hire since 1969; QB Bryce Underwood must develop |
| 17 | Penn State | 7-6 | Matt Campbell (ex-Iowa State) brings QB Rocco Becht + staff; avoids OSU/Oregon/Indiana |
| 18 | Tennessee | 8-5 | QB mystery (George MacIntyre vs Faizon Brandon); new DC Jim Knowles from Penn State |
| 19 | Washington | 9-4 | Big Ten sleeper; veteran OL must protect QB Demond Williams Jr.; tough schedule |
| 20 | SMU | 9-4 | QB Kevin Jennings (rare 3-year starter in portal era); defense retooled via portal |
| 21 | Utah | 11-2 | Morgan Scalley takes over for Whittingham; QB Devon Dampier + RB Wayshawn Parker return |
| 22 | Iowa | 9-4 | QB battle (Jeremy Hecklinski vs Hank Brown); special teams overhaul after losing coordinator |
| 23 | Clemson | 7-6 | Dabo Swinney at crossroads; QB Christopher Vizzina must connect with elite WRs |
| 24 | Houston | 10-3 | Willie Fritz Year 3; QB Conner Weigman + RB Mekhi Hughes (ex-Tulane); defense needs push |
| 25 | Missouri | 8-5 | Eli Drinkwitz building; QB Austin Simmons (ex-Ole Miss); soft early schedule to develop |
Key Terms Explained (ELI5 Style)
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| Preseason Poll | Rankings before any games are played – just predictions |
| First-Place Votes | How many coaches put that team at #1 on their ballot |
| Points | Math formula: 25 pts for 1st place vote, 24 for 2nd, down to 1 for 25th |
| Transfer Portal | "Free agency" for college players – they can switch schools once without sitting out |
| Heisman Trophy | Award for best player in college football (like MVP) |
| Defensive Coordinator (DC) | Coach in charge of just the defense |
| Offensive Line (OL) | The 5 big guys who protect the QB and block for runners |
| Secondary | Defensive backs (cornerbacks + safeties) who defend passes |
Summary: What You Need to Remember
- Ohio State starts #1 but has never won the title from this spot in the playoff era
- Big Ten is loaded – 4 teams in top 6 (OSU, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State)
- Indiana at #6 is low for a defending champ – shows coaches expect regression
- Quarterback play decides everything – 20+ teams have QB questions or new starters
- Transfer portal changed the game – rosters flip faster than ever
- Schedule strength matters – Texas A&M, USC, Washington have brutal paths
- This poll means zero in January – it’s just the starting conversation
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Who votes in this poll?
Answer: Active FBS head coaches. About 60-65 coaches submit ballots. Their votes are public, so we know exactly who voted for whom.
2. Does this poll determine who makes the College Football Playoff?
Answer: No! The CFP selection committee makes their own rankings starting in November. This poll is just for fun, bragging rights, and media discussion. But… starting high helps because voters are slow to drop teams that win.
3. Why is Indiana only #6 after going 16-0 and winning the title?
Answer: They lost their coach (Curt Cignetti stayed but many staff/players left), their QB, and key defenders. Coaches think "last year was magic" and this year’s team isn’t as talented.
4. What’s the biggest "snub" – teams that could be ranked but aren’t?
Answer: Teams like Kansas State, Louisville, Arizona State, and Florida State received votes but missed the top 25. Any could crack it with a hot start.
5. How often does the #1 team in August win the national title?
Answer: Since the playoff started (2014): Only once (2022 Georgia). The #1 team has made the playoff 7 of 10 years but usually doesn’t win it all. Being #1 is a target on your back!
Final Thought: College football is unpredictable. That’s why we love it! This poll is just the first chapter of a 15-week story. Bookmark this page and check back in November to see how wrong (or right) the coaches were!
