USA Today releases Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2026 college football season

USA Today released its way-too-early Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2026 college football season. Yes, we still have to wait eight months, but it’s never too early!

Indiana beat Miami 27-21 in the national championship to cap off this season, a historic one for the Hoosiers. But this 16-0 squad is not No. 1 to start next fal!!

Who is? Well, scroll to find out as we dive into USA Today’s picks for the preseason as we are just wrapping up 2025-26.

1. Texas

The Longhorns get the No. 1 spot per USA Today going into 2026. Arch Manning returns at quarterback coming off a hot second half of the season.

Auburn transfer WR Cam Coleman joins the fray, a remade RB room took shape and they hired new DC Will Muschamp featuring LB transfer Rasheem Biles. If the offensive line holds up, this’ll be the national championship favorite.

2. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are next up for USA Today. Ohio State and Texas were the top two for 2025 in the preseason and not much has changed way ahead of the 2026 season.

Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and Bo Jackson all return on offense but the defense has to replace some hammers. It’s a good thing Ryan Day hit the portal for safeties Terry Moore, Earl Little Jr. and cornerback Dominick Kelly.

3. Georgia

Gunner Stockton is back at QB and the running back group of Nate Frazier and Chancey Bowens looks pretty darn good. As it stands, Georgia is a top two team in the SEC going into 2026, per USA Today.

Kirby Smart has another, potentially, elite defense but they’ll need a little time. Linebackers Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole could be a dynamic duo.

4. Indiana

The national champions will go into the 2026 season as a top five team because they do have to replace a lot of talent. But if Curt Cignetti has proven anything, it is that he just keeps winning and can replace talent year to year.

USA Today didn’t put them at the top, but close to it following a 16-0 season. Former TCU QB Josh Hoover will take over and Indiana loaded up elsewhere in the portal, such as Michigan State WR Nick Marsh, OL Joe Brunner (Wisconsin) and former Penn State DB AJ Harris.

5. Notre Dame

After missing out on this year’s College Football Playoff, Notre Dame should come back as a top five team in the country, per USA Today. CJ Carr returns at quarterback and he’ll be aided by transfer WRs Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham.

Keon Keeley comes in from Alabama to bolster the defensive line as well. Although Marcus Freeman and crew should probably go 11-1 at minimum to ensure a spot in next year’s CFP! But they do have that MOR, so perhaps they’ll get a shot at the title!

6. Oklahoma

Oklahoma finally reached the College Football Playoff under Brent Venables, but it was a disappointing loss to Alabama at home. Still, QB John Mateer said he was going to return and USA Today is banking on his health here.

The Sooners added plenty in the portal though: WRs Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone and TE Hayden Hansen. The defense has to hold up though with a little less depth next season.

7. Texas Tech

Texas Tech is ready to reload in NIL and the transfer portal to keep up their Big 12 dominance. They landed QB Brendan Sorsby in the transfer portal, giving them a good replacement for Behren Morton.

USA Today has them in the top 10 because they used the portal to reload the defensive line as well, despite losing David Bailey to the NFL. Joey McGuire’s crew should be back in the playoff.

8. Texas A&M

Texas A&M raced out to an 11-0 record but lost the season finale and CFP game to end the year. It was a bitter end, but USA Today likes the Aggies as a top 10 team next year.

Marcel Reed is back at QB, WR Mario Craver should be even better and Isaiah Horton comes in from Alabama. With a loaded offense and revamped defense, Mike Elko and crew should be back in contention.

9. Oregon

The Ducks bring back QB Dante Moore, who elected to return to college rather than go to the NFL. Dan Lanning has this team closer to a national title each year and USA Today has them in the top 10 already, putting them in contention.

However, Oregon lost a lot to the portal. They bring back some talent, such as DL Bear Alexander and they added portal safety Koi Perich. Lanning has to replace both coordinators.

10. Miami

The Hurricanes will go into 2026 as a top 10 team per USA Today. After losing the national championship, Mario Cristobal will have to replace QB Carson Beck and there could be some enticing portal options still out there.

But Cristobal has proven that he can recruit, develop and land studs in the portal. The slow burn at Miami was worth it for their run this year and they’ll be in contention for years to come.

USA Today Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2026

11. Alabama
12. USC
13. BYU
14. Michigan
15. LSU
16. SMU
17. Penn State
18. Utah
19. Clemson
20. Ole Miss
21. Iowa
22. Florida State
23. Houston
24. Tennessee
25. Boise State