Here are the 2026 college football preseason Top 25 rankings from both major polls: the USA Today Coaches Poll (released August 4, 2026) and the AP Top 25 (released August 17, 2026). Ohio State is No. 1 in both, with 38 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll, ahead of Oregon and Georgia, while defending national champion Indiana opens at No. 6. Both full polls are below, plus a free printable and a breakdown of what changed between them. The headline from the AP poll: Clemson was left out of the Top 25, and Louisville moved in at No. 24.
2026 College Football Preseason Top 25 (Coaches Poll)
| Rank | Team | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| 2 | Oregon | Big Ten |
| 3 | Georgia | SEC |
| 4 | Texas | SEC |
| 5 | Notre Dame | Independent |
| 6 | Indiana | Big Ten |
| 7 | Miami | ACC |
| 8 | Texas A&M | SEC |
| 9 | Oklahoma | SEC |
| 10 | Ole Miss | SEC |
| 11 | Alabama | SEC |
| 12 | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| 13 | LSU | SEC |
| 14 | USC | Big Ten |
| 15 | BYU | Big 12 |
| 16 | Michigan | Big Ten |
| 17 | Penn State | Big Ten |
| 18 | Tennessee | SEC |
| 19 | Washington | Big Ten |
| 20 | SMU | ACC |
| 21 | Utah | Big 12 |
| 22 | Iowa | Big Ten |
| 23 | Clemson | ACC |
| 24 | Houston | Big 12 |
| 25 | Missouri | SEC |
This is the official preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, voted by FBS head coaches. The SEC and Big Ten dominate the board, combining for 17 of the 25 spots, and in the 12-team Playoff era, landing in the top dozen is what really matters. For the market read, see our 2026 college football odds and Playoff futures.
2026 College Football Preseason AP Top 25
The Associated Press released its 2026 preseason Top 25 on August 17, 2026. Ohio State again holds the No. 1 spot. The most notable move from the Coaches Poll: Clemson fell out of the rankings entirely, and Louisville entered at No. 24. BYU and USC are tied at No. 14.
| Rank | Team | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| 2 | Oregon | Big Ten |
| 3 | Georgia | SEC |
| 4 | Notre Dame | Independent |
| 5 | Texas | SEC |
| 6 | Indiana | Big Ten |
| 7 | Miami | ACC |
| 8 | Texas A&M | SEC |
| 9 | Ole Miss | SEC |
| 10 | Oklahoma | SEC |
| 11 | LSU | SEC |
| 12 | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| 13 | Alabama | SEC |
| 14 (tie) | BYU | Big 12 |
| 14 (tie) | USC | Big Ten |
| 16 | Michigan | Big Ten |
| 17 | Washington | Big Ten |
| 18 | Penn State | Big Ten |
| 19 | SMU | ACC |
| 20 | Tennessee | SEC |
| 21 | Utah | Big 12 |
| 22 | Iowa | Big Ten |
| 23 | Houston | Big 12 |
| 24 | Louisville | ACC |
| 25 | Missouri | SEC |
AP vs Coaches Poll: What Changed
The two preseason polls agree at the very top but diverge in the teens and at the back end. Clemson is the headline story: the Tigers ranked No. 23 in the Coaches Poll but were left out of the AP Top 25, where they led all unranked teams in votes received. Louisville took the open No. 24 spot on the AP side. AP voters also flipped Notre Dame and Texas at Nos. 4 and 5. Here are the notable movers:
| Team | Coaches Poll | AP Top 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 5 | 4 |
| Texas | 4 | 5 |
| Ole Miss | 10 | 9 |
| Oklahoma | 9 | 10 |
| LSU | 13 | 11 |
| Alabama | 11 | 13 |
| Washington | 19 | 17 |
| Tennessee | 18 | 20 |
| SMU | 20 | 19 |
| Clemson | 23 | Unranked |
| Louisville | Unranked | 24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is No. 1 in the 2026 preseason Top 25?
Ohio State is No. 1 in the 2026 preseason USA Today Coaches Poll with 38 first-place votes, ahead of Oregon and Georgia. Defending national champion Indiana opens at No. 6.
When is the first AP Top 25 of 2026 released?
The Coaches Poll was released August 4, 2026, and the first AP Top 25 followed on August 17, 2026. Both polls are shown in full on this page.
What changed between the Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25?
Clemson made the Coaches Poll at No. 23 but was left out of the AP Top 25, and Louisville is ranked No. 24 by the AP. AP voters also flipped Notre Dame (No. 4) and Texas (No. 5). Ohio State is No. 1 in both polls.
How many SEC and Big Ten teams are ranked?
The SEC and Big Ten dominate the projection, combining for well over half of the Top 25, a reflection of the two leagues’ depth.
Is there a printable Top 25?
Yes. Download the free printable 2026 preseason Top 25 from the button near the top of this page.
More 2026 College Football
- 2026 College Football Odds (conference + national title)
- 2026 Heisman Trophy Odds
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub
