When the preseason AP Top 25 is released, people who would otherwise be reasonable become amateur analysts and confirmed optimists for some reason. Every August, one fan base is enraged, another is boasting, and a few coaches are carefully saying the right things about not paying attention to polls while obviously paying attention to them. On August 17th, the 2026 edition was released, and it was excellent in every way.
It should come as no surprise that Ohio State is ranked first. The Buckeyes garnered a commanding plurality of 40 out of 69 first-place votes, which is indicative of both genuine talent and the pressure that a program like this faces everywhere it goes. Julian Sayin, the quarterback, has returned. Jeremiah Smith, a receiver who already appears to be a potential first-round pick, has returned. Every season, Columbus believes that this is the year, and this year, the majority of the nation appears to concur.
The fact that Oregon is right behind them at No. 2 is truly unexpected, or at least noteworthy historically. The Ducks have never had a higher preseason ranking, and it gives the Big Ten something it hasn’t had in 65 years: the top two spots in the nation are fully occupied by one conference. When this last occurred, college football was very different from what it is today. There was no 12-team playoff, no transfer portal, and no NIL money. The fact that eight Big Ten programs made it into the Top 25 overall provides insight into how the sport’s power has shifted recently.
Indiana is ranked sixth, which probably merits some consideration. The Hoosiers just concluded the first 16-0 season in contemporary college football history. The national championship was won by them. Nevertheless, they are ranked sixth going into 2026 rather than first, second, or even fourth. The Heisman winner and first overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, is no longer available, which makes the explanation fairly clear. Josh Hoover, a transfer from TCU with strong credentials and a large arm, will take his place. However, he still has a long way to go before he has that level of prestige. To be honest, it’s a fair ranking. The Hoover system is still very good. The question that will determine Indiana’s season is whether or not he is.
The poll’s middle and lower sections are still loaded by the SEC exclusively. Georgia is ranked third, Texas is ranked fifth, and the top 13 includes Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, LSU, and Alabama. Even though the conference’s hold on the very top has somewhat relaxed, the arrangement is familiar. Florida, on the other hand, receives 51 votes and, according to the media, is ranked 27th in the Top 25. It’s not a crisis, but it’s also not where a Gators program anticipates being in August.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the bracket to keep an eye on early on is USC’s situation. With Rutgers on September 19, Oregon at home the next week, and a road trip to Washington, the Trojans’ schedule picks up speed almost immediately after they arrive at No. 14. Before October ends, there will be three ranked opponents in three weeks. By Halloween, there’s a good chance that USC will either surge into the top ten or completely disappear from the poll. That’s the type of schedule.
Kyle Whittingham, who left Utah after years of making the Utes a consistent contender, takes over as head coach of Michigan. It’s still genuinely unclear if that formula applies to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are ranked 16th, and every schedule watcher has their September game against Oklahoma marked on their calendars. After finishing outside of the rankings the previous season, Penn State, ranked No. 18, has something to prove as they start the Matt Campbell era.
The preseason poll primarily indicates who the nation is watching, not necessarily the winner. Before a single snap of consequence is played, it establishes the stakes, crafts stories, and gives everyone something to debate. As of right now, Ohio State is ranked first; the Big Ten dominates the discussion; and Indiana, the reigning champion, has a new quarterback attempting to disprove the doubters. September will arrive sooner rather than later.
FAQs
Q1: Who is ranked No. 1 in the 2026 AP Top 25 preseason poll?
Ohio State received 40 of 69 first-place votes to claim the top spot.
Q2: Why is Indiana only ranked No. 6 despite being the defending national champion?
Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza departed, leaving an unproven replacement under center.
Q3: What historic milestone did the Big Ten achieve in this preseason poll?
The conference claimed the top two spots for the first time since 1961.
Q4: How many Big Ten teams made the 2026 preseason AP Top 25?
Eight Big Ten programs cracked the rankings, more than any other conference.
Q5: Where did Florida land in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25 rankings?
Florida received 51 votes but finished 27th, just outside the Top 25.
