Indiana leads Sporting News post-spring rankings after capturing the College Football Playoff championship last season under third-year coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers return enough talent to make another championship run. Ohio State sits at No. 2 following their 2024 national title.
That Oct. 17 matchup between the programs could be the best regular season game of 2026. Who would’ve predicted that even two years ago?
The Big Ten dominates the rankings with nine schools. The SEC places seven teams on the list.
Georgia and Texas occupy the third and fourth spots respectively. Notre Dame rounds out the top five as the Fighting Irish look to bounce back from last year’s playoff snub.
Any of those five programs could earn the preseason No. 1 ranking this summer.
The 12-team College Football Playoff enters its third season with plenty of contenders from this group.
Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings
1. Indiana (15-0 in 2025)
Curt Cignetti’s program is 27-2 over the last two seasons. The latest wave of portal additions brought TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Boston College running back Turbo Richard and Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh.
Marsh stood out at the spring game.
Key returners from the championship team include All-America tackle Carter Smith and receiver Charlie Becker on offense. The defense brings back tackle Tyrique Tucker, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and cornerback Jamari Sharpe.
The schedule sets up well for a fast start before that Big Ten championship rematch with Ohio State.
2. Ohio State (12-2 in 2025)
The Buckeyes return significant firepower from an offense that averaged 33.4 points per game last season. Quarterback Jullian Sayin was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Junior receiver Jeremiah Smith posted 1,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Bo Jackson, tackle Austin Siereveld and five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. all return under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and safety Jaylen McClain should break out on defense.
Ohio State faces four top-10 teams this season, starting with a road trip to Texas on Sept. 12.
3. Georgia (12-2 in 2025)
The Bulldogs captured back-to-back SEC championships under Kirby Smart. Quarterback Gunner Stockton, running back Nate Frazier, receiver London Humphreys and tight end Lawson Luckie lead the returning playmakers.
Tackle Earnest Greene anchors a young offensive line.
The defense features potential first-round picks in linebacker Raylen Wilson and safety KJ Bolden. Georgia retained defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, who remains a popular coaching candidate.
Road trips to Alabama (Oct. 10) and Ole Miss (Nov. 7) could derail a third straight trip to Atlanta.
4. Texas (10-3 in 2025)
Texas might have the most talented roster in the FBS. Arch Manning returns at quarterback with a loaded receiver room featuring Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V.
The rebuilt backfield includes Arizona State’s Raleek Brown and NC State’s Hollywood Smothers. The offensive line needs improvement from last season.
Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles and Florida State transfer Justin Cryer strengthen the linebacker position. The return of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has increased excitement for Steve Sarkisian’s sixth season.
The Longhorns are 35-8 over the last three years and could be the preseason SEC favorite.
5. Notre Dame (10-2 in 2025)
Notre Dame is 34-7 over the last three seasons. This might be the most talented team yet under Marcus Freeman.
CJ Carr threw for 2,751 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s among the early Heisman favorites.
Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young must replace first-round picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison get help from Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham at receiver.
All-American cornerback Leonard Moore and senior linebacker Drayk Bowen lead the defense. Linebacker Kyngstonn Asa-Viliamu and edge rusher Boubabar Traore also return.
Notre Dame opens against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sept. 6. Circle Nov. 7 when Miami visits South Bend.
6. Oregon (13-2 in 2025)
Quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to return was huge for the Ducks. They also landed Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola in the portal.
Receiver Evan Stewart and tight end Jamari Johnson return on offense. The defense brings back Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington in the front seven while adding Minnesota transfer safety Koi Perich.
Dan Lanning promoted coordinators Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton.
The home opener against Boise State (Sept. 5) is intriguing along with road tests at USC (Sept. 26) and Ohio State (Nov. 7).
7. Miami (13-2 in 2025)
Mario Cristobal guided Miami to the CFP championship game last season. Enough pieces return for another playoff run.
Darian Mensah led the ACC with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns as the new quarterback. Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney return in the backfield.
Duke transfer receiver Cooper Barkate and South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs give Mensah plenty of options in the passing game.
Justin Scott, Ahmad Moten and Mohamed Toure are key defensive returners after losing Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
Road trips to Clemson (Oct. 3) and Notre Dame (Nov. 17) highlight the schedule.
8. Ole Miss (13-2 in 2025)
Pete Golding takes over after leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinals following Lane Kiffin’s departure.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss received a preliminary injunction in Mississippi court allowing him to play another season. Running back Kewan Lacy returns after rushing for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Texas receiver Johntay Cook should fit well in the offense.
The defense features seven projected portal starters. Key returners include tackle Will Echoles and edge rusher Suntarine Perkins, both potential first-round picks in 2027.
LSU visits Oxford on Sept. 19 for Kiffin’s return.
9. Oklahoma (10-3 in 2025)
Oklahoma made the CFP under Brent Venables in 2025. Keeping quarterback John Mateer healthy is key to returning.
Mateer posted 2,885 passing yards and 431 rushing yards with 22 total touchdowns last season. Receiver Isaiah Sategna returns, and Texas receiver Parker Livingstone is a solid addition.
The defense brings back tackle David Stone and defensive backs Peyton Bowen and Eli Bowen.
The Sooners are 8-8 in SEC play over two seasons. Road trips to Michigan (Sept. 12) and Georgia (Sept. 26) come early.
10. USC (9-4 in 2025)
USC cracks the top 10 in a prove-it year for fifth-year coach Lincoln Riley. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is a Heisman contender after ranking fourth nationally with 3,711 passing yards.
The backfield tandem of Waymond Jordan and King Miller should be productive. Tanook Hines emerges as the go-to receiver with an experienced offensive line.
New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson faces questions on that side of the ball. Desman Stephens II totaled 89 tackles to help the transition.
A three-game stretch against Oregon (Sept. 26), Washington (Oct. 3) and Penn State (Oct. 10) precedes a home showdown with Ohio State (Oct. 31).
11. Texas A&M (11-2 in 2025)
Mike Elko guided an impressive turnaround over two seasons in College Station. The Aggies are coming off a CFP appearance.
Quarterback Marcel Reed returns after throwing for 3,169 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. LSU tackle Tyree Adams is one of four offensive line transfers.
Reuben Owens III averaged 5.4 yards per carry with 639 rushing yards. Alabama transfer receiver Isaiah Horton joins Mario Craver.
Holmon Wiggins replaces Collin Klein as offensive coordinator after Klein took the Kansas State job.
The defense lost five players to the 2026 NFL Draft, including Cashius Howell. Road trips to LSU (Sept. 26), Alabama (Oct. 24) and Oklahoma (Nov. 24) lead to the home finale against Texas (Nov. 27).
12. Alabama (11-4 in 2025)
Kalen DeBoer signed a seven-year extension through 2033, clearing up questions about his future in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer led a CFP run in Year 2.
Austin Mack and Keelon Russell battle for the starting quarterback job. Running back Daniel Hill and receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams return on offense.
The defense needs to rebuild the front seven. The secondary remains strong with Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb.
Alabama faces Florida State (Sept. 19) and Georgia (Oct. 10) in the season’s first half.
13. Michigan (9-4 in 2025)
Kyle Whittingham takes over at Michigan after 21 seasons with Utah. Utes offensive coordinator Jason Beck and BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill joined Whittingham’s staff.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood faces pressure after an inconsistent freshman year. Running backs Jordan Marshall and five-star freshman Savion Hiter should be productive.
Tackle Andrew Sprague anchors a solid offensive line. The receiver position remains uncertain beyond Andrew Marsh.
Edge rusher John Henry Daley transferred from Utah after recording 11.5 sacks.
Home games against Oklahoma (Sept. 12), Iowa (Sept. 26) and Indiana (Oct. 24) plus late-season road trips to Oregon (Nov. 14) and Ohio State (Nov. 28) won’t make Year 1 easy for Whittingham.
14. LSU (7-6 in 2025)
LSU enters Year 1 under Lane Kiffin with half the projected starters from the transfer portal.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and Colorado tackle Jordan Seaton are high-profile offensive additions. Kansas State’s Jayce Brown (712 yards, 5 TDs) and Hawaii’s Jackson Harris (963 yards, 12 TDs) also transfer in.
Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry return.
The defense should be solid with linebacker Whit Weeks and Boise State transfer safety Ty Benefield.
LSU opens with Clemson (Sept. 5) before Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss (Sept. 19).
15. BYU (12-2 in 2025)
The Cougars emerge as the new Big 12 favorite. BYU is 23-4 over the last two seasons – the only team with back-to-back double-digit win seasons that missed the CFP.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin return to a rushing attack that averaged 178.1 yards per game.
Portal additions include USC tight end Walker Lyons and four offensive linemen. Linebacker Isaiah Glasker and safety Faleatu Satuala lead the defense, which added Cal linebacker Cade Uluave.
BYU hosts Notre Dame (Oct. 17) and travels to Utah (Nov. 17).
16. Utah (11-2 in 2025)
Whittingham’s departure means Morgan Scalley takes over a program capable of winning the Big 12 championship. Scalley has been an assistant since 2007.
Devin Dampier and Byrd Ficklin battle for the starting quarterback job. Utah hired Kevin McGiven as offensive coordinator.
Leading rusher Wayshawn Parker returns. UCLA transfer receiver Braden Pegan (926 yards, 5 TDs) should fit the offense well.
Safety Tao Johnson leads a defense that allowed just 18.9 points per game last season.
Arkansas visits Utah on Sept. 12 in an early test.
17. Penn State (7-6 in 2025)
The Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State, and 24 Cyclones followed him to Penn State. That included quarterback Rocco Becht, a three-year starter with 64 career touchdown passes.
Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen and Ohio State transfer James Peoples form the new backfield.
Penn State also hired USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to help the defensive transition. Iowa State transfer Marcus Neal should be an All-America caliber safety.
Penn State avoids Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon. A two-week stretch against USC (Oct. 10) and Michigan (Oct. 17) will be telling.
18. Louisville (9-4 in 2025)
Jeff Brohm is 28-12 since taking over at his alma mater, including nine-plus wins in each of the last three seasons.
Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has high potential behind a strong running game with Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown.
Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson and Florida State transfer Lawayne McCoy are the new receivers. Tulsa tight end Brody Foley scored seven touchdowns last season.
Mark Ellis and Steve Ivey were promoted to co-defensive coordinators. The defense returns standout edge rusher Clev Lubin (8.5 sacks).
Louisville opens against Ole Miss (Sept. 5) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
19. Iowa (9-4 in 2025)
Iowa has 13 consecutive winning seasons under Kirk Ferentz. The formula remains unchanged.
Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown take the quarterback battle into fall camp. Kamari Moulton (878 yards, 5 TDs) features behind an offensive line led by Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck.
Zach Lutmer (71 tackles, 3 INTs) is a versatile safety who leads a unit that ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense at 16.1 points per game.
Home matchups include Iowa State (Sept. 12), Ohio State (Oct. 3) and Illinois (Nov. 21), plus an early road trip to Michigan (Sept. 26).
20. Texas Tech (12-2 in 2025)
Texas Tech falls here due to uncertainty around Brendan Sorsby, who faces NCAA investigation for alleged sports gambling. Sorsby threw for 2,800 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions at Cincinnati in 2025.
Backup quarterback Will Hammond is recovering from a torn ACL and projected to return for Week 3 vs. Houston.
The Red Raiders still have talent under Joey McGuire but must replace nine 2026 NFL Draft picks. San Diego State edge rusher Trey White (19.5 sacks) and Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine (184 tackles) should help.
The quarterback situation remains unresolved.
21. Houston (10-3 in 2025)
Meet the trendy Big 12 sleeper for 2026. Willie Fritz flipped the Cougars from four wins in 2024 to 10 wins in 2025.
The Cougars have Conner Weigman at quarterback with five-star Keisean Henderson as a starter-in-waiting. Oregon transfer Makai Hughes had two 1,000-yard seasons.
All-America guard Shadre Hurst, a Tulane transfer, leads the offensive line. Marshall transfer linebacker Jaden Yates totaled 175 tackles over the last two seasons.
A Friday night trip to Texas Tech (Sept. 18) is an early Big 12 race marker.
22. Illinois (9-4 in 2025)
Bret Bielema has raised the bar at Illinois. The Illini set a program record with 19 victories over 2024-25.
East Carolina transfer Katin Houser takes over at quarterback. Running back Ca’Lil Valentine (614 yards, 4 TDs) returns.
Illinois hired Montana coach Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator to transition the defense to a 4-3 scheme. Replacing edge rusher Gabe Jacas remains a question.
The Big Ten opener at Ohio State (Sept. 26) and a road date at Oregon (Oct. 24) highlight the schedule.
23. SMU (9-4 in 2025)
SMU enters Year 3 in the ACC with CFP expectations after Rhett Lashlee built a 38-16 record over four years.
Defensive coordinator Scott Symons left for the Dallas Cowboys linebackers job. The Mustangs promoted Maurice Crum Jr. and Rickey Hunley Jr. to co-coordinators.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings returns. Cal transfer running back Kendrick Raphael (943 rushing yards, 13 TDs) led the ACC with 232 carries in 2025.
September road trips to Florida State (Sept. 7) and Louisville (Sept. 19) will be telling. A late-season trip to Notre Dame (Nov. 21) marks the schools’ first meeting since 1989.
24. Washington (9-4 in 2025)
The Huskies are 15-11 in two Big Ten seasons. Jedd Fisch has the pieces for a run this season.
Demond Williams threw for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions despite offseason drama. Oregon transfer running back Jayden Limur is in line for a breakout season.
Washington lost seven players to the 2026 NFL Draft. The defense should continue improving under second-year coordinator Ryan Walters.
The Big Ten schedule is manageable until back-to-back games against Indiana (Nov. 21) and Oregon (Nov. 28).
25. Virginia Tech (3-9 in 2025)
Can James Franklin engineer a quick turnaround for the Hokies? Three projected starters followed Franklin from Penn State, including quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Leading rusher Marcellous Hawkins averaged 6.3 yards per carry with 749 rushing yards in 2025. The retooled defense returns edge rusher Kemari Copeland.
Road trips to Clemson (Oct. 24), SMU (Nov. 7) and a Black Friday matchup at Miami (Nov. 20) will put Franklin in the spotlight.
