Ohio State opens the 2026 season as the consensus No. 1 team in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings. The Buckeyes collected 40 first-place votes and 1,672 points, finishing ahead of Oregon (14 first-place votes, 1,597 points) and Georgia (1,513 points).
Notre Dame and Texas round out the top five. Defending national champion Indiana lands at No. 6.
It marks the ninth time Ohio State has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll, tying Alabama for the second-most all-time behind Oklahoma’s 10.
Complete 2026 Preseason AP Top 25 Rankings
| Rank | Team | Points | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 1672 | 40 |
| 2 | Oregon | 1597 | 14 |
| 3 | Georgia | 1513 | – |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 1510 | 6 |
| 5 | Texas | 1483 | – |
| 6 | Indiana | 1440 | 8 |
| 7 | Miami (FL) | 1379 | 1 |
| 8 | Texas A&M | 1131 | – |
| 9 | Ole Miss | 1102 | – |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 1047 | – |
| 11 | LSU | 988 | – |
| 12 | Texas Tech | 983 | – |
| 13 | Alabama | 904 | – |
| T14 | BYU | 839 | – |
| T14 | USC | 839 | – |
| 16 | Michigan | 718 | – |
| 17 | Washington | 501 | – |
| 18 | Penn State | 482 | – |
| 19 | SMU | 434 | – |
| 20 | Tennessee | 394 | – |
| 21 | Utah | 304 | – |
| 22 | Iowa | 260 | – |
| 23 | Houston | 252 | – |
| 24 | Louisville | 194 | – |
| 25 | Missouri | 117 | – |
Others receiving votes: Clemson 112, Florida 51, Boise State 43, Arizona 32, TCU 11, Navy 10, South Carolina 10, Illinois 9, Oklahoma State 8, Vanderbilt 8, Pittsburgh 7, Virginia Tech 6, Minnesota 5, UNLV 4, New Mexico 4, Georgia Tech 4, Louisiana 4, James Madison 3, Auburn 3, Memphis 2, California 2, Liberty 1, Western Michigan 1, Tulane 1, Virginia 1.
Conference Breakdown
- SEC: 9 teams
- Big Ten: 8 teams
- Big 12: 4 teams
- ACC: 3 teams
- Independent: 1 team (Notre Dame)
The SEC placed the most teams in the poll, but the Big Ten claimed the top two spots.
Key Storylines from the Poll
Ohio State’s path Ryan Day enters his eighth season with an 82-12 record. The Buckeyes return Heisman finalist quarterback Julian Sayin and standout receiver Jeremiah Smith. Their schedule features early tests against Texas and a mid-season rematch with Indiana, plus the annual closer against Michigan.
Indiana’s placement The defending national champions sit at No. 6 after a perfect 16-0 season. Curt Cignetti must replace significant NFL Draft departures but added TCU transfer Josh Hoover at quarterback.
New coaches under pressure Lane Kiffin takes over at LSU (No. 11) after a successful run at Ole Miss. Matt Campbell begins his tenure at Penn State (No. 18) after leaving Iowa State.
Notre Dame in the top five The Fighting Irish open at No. 4 and carry a late-season rematch with Miami that could shape early College Football Playoff positioning.
MORE: College Football Playoff Rankings 2026 Dates Set: Full Release Schedule Announced
Early Games to Watch
Several ranked teams face notable non-conference tests in Week 1:
- No. 7 Miami vs. Stanford — Friday, Sept. 4, 9 p.m. ET
- No. 2 Oregon vs. Boise State — Saturday, Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
- No. 11 LSU vs. Clemson — Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
- No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville — Sunday, Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m. ET
- No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin — Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Looking Ahead
Preseason rankings set the conversation, but the season will rewrite the order. Ohio State carries the target as the top team. Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas sit close behind. Indiana will try to prove its national title was the start of something lasting.
The first official AP Top 25 of the regular season will arrive after Week 1 results are in. Until then, the Buckeyes sit alone at No. 1.
FAQ
Who is ranked No. 1 in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25? Ohio State.
Where did defending national champion Indiana land? No. 6.
Which conference has the most teams in the preseason poll? The SEC with nine.
How many first-place votes did Ohio State receive? 40.
