Way-Too-Early Top 25 Predictions for College Football
As college football fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, it's also time to peer into the future and make some way-too-early predictions for the 2026 season. This article delves into a speculative ranking of the top 25 teams, considering factors such as returning talent, coaching changes, and transfer portal activity.
The Ever-Changing Landscape of College Football
The college football landscape is constantly evolving, with players declaring for the NFL draft and transferring via the portal. This makes predicting future success a challenging but exciting endeavor. The 2025 season provided parity and chaos, and the 2026 season promises even more as traditional powers reload and new contenders emerge. Rosters have shifted, and coaching staffs have moved, making the sport look different than it did just one month ago.
Top 25 Teams to Watch in 2026
Here's a look at the way-too-early top 25 teams for the 2026 college football season:
Oregon Ducks: The Ducks are poised to be a dominant force, with quarterback Dante Moore deciding to return. The entire first-string defensive line also put off the NFL. Running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill and receivers Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore all shined as freshmen. Breakout cornerback Brandon Finney and All-Big Ten transfer Koi Perich headline a stout secondary. The biggest concerns: Dan Lanning will have two new coordinators and will need to identify two new starters at offensive tackle.
Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes are always a threat to reload. Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Bo Jackson return, as do four starters on the offensive line. Ryan Day must again replace the bulk of his lineup on defense, including projected first-rounders Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles. He’ll need the Alabama duo of Smith and Russaw to develop quickly up front.
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Georgia Bulldogs: Georgia's offense brings back Gunner Stockton, running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, and four offensive line starters, but it loses six of its top seven receptions leaders. Some current freshmen will need to step up. Kirby Smart’s 2025 defense was young, so most of the two-deep will be back, though the Dawgs need to develop a more consistent pass rush. Returning kicker Peyton Woodring was second-team All-SEC.
Miami Hurricanes: Miami is expected to land Duke star Darian Mensah, this year’s second team All-ACC quarterback. Mark Fletcher’s return is huge, as the Canes should be strong up front again. Star pass rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are off to the NFL, but talented sophomores Justin Scott, Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot all played key roles on this year’s national runner-up. Miami’s secondary should be stout.
Texas Longhorns: Steve Sarkisian went all-out in the portal to upgrade Arch Manning’s supporting cast. Cam Coleman was 247Sports’ No. 1 receiver, Hollywood Smothers its No. 2 tailback and Melvin Siani its No. 3 tackle. Siani helps upgrade an underperforming O-line. Will Muschamp takes over a defense that must replace veterans Anthony Hill Jr., Michael Taaffe and Ethan Burke. But Simmons is an All-American, and Biles is a two-time All-ACC selection.
Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana loses most of its offense after winning the national title, as well as several key defenders, but it should still have explosive skill talent and a stout D-line. Curt Cignetti tapped TCU’s Hoover (9,629 career passing yards) to succeed Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to enter the draft. IU’s highly regarded portal class includes reinforcements at nearly every position, but especially receivers and pass rushers.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The Irish have big shoes to fill in their backfield in losing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but Carr, the nation’s fifth-rated passer in 2025, is a great cornerstone to build an offense around. Meanwhile, the Irish bring back nearly the entire defense, including one of the nation’s best secondaries. The addition of Brewu, an honorable mention All-ACC selection, filled a big need on the interior D-line.
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BYU Cougars: BYU, 23-4 the past two seasons, will be loaded with returning production. Martin was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and Bachmeier was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The defense must replace two first team all-conference standouts, sack leader Jack Kelly and S Tanner Wall, but it got a huge addition in Uluave, who led Cal with 100 tackles. And Kalani Sitake just signed a top-25 recruiting class.
Oklahoma Sooners: Oklahoma made it to the CFP despite a limited offense, but Mateer will hopefully be healthier, while Sategna (965 yards in 2025), Harris (847) and Livingstone (516) are a formidable receiving trio. The running game remains a concern. Brent Venables’ top-10 scoring defense loses standout end R Mason Thomas but brings back some of its best playmakers and adds Big Ten starter Sullivan. Sandell won the Lou Groza Award.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: The Big 12 champs will attempt to replace stud D-linemen David Bailey, Lee Hunter and Romello Height with another wave of transfers. Ibirogba was among the top D-linemen in the portal, while Trick and White were both first team all-conference. But All-American LB Jacob Rodriguez may prove irreplaceable. Sorsby, No. 2 in The Athletic’s portal QB rankings, should be an upgrade from Behren Morton as QB1. Dickey and Williams combined for 1,992 rushing yards.
Texas A&M Aggies: A&M is fortunate to have Reed back as the centerpiece of its offense, but he’ll be playing behind a mostly new O-line. Mike Elko added four transfers with SEC starting experience to compete for those spots. The Aggies will miss all-purpose dynamo KC Concepcion, but Craver and Horton should form a solid receiving duo. The front seven will need to reload as well. Elko signed eight edge players or D-linemen in the portal.
USC Trojans: Maiava, who finished sixth nationally in yards per attempt (9.2), enters his third year at USC after beginning his college career at UNLV. Star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane both turned pro, but Hines could be USC’s next great wideout. The Trojans’ entire Week 1 O-line is back, and their D-line should be a strength, though Lincoln Riley has not named a new defensive coordinator. USC’s No. 1 recruiting class should produce some impact freshmen.
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Missouri Tigers: New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey (Michigan) inherits quite the tandem with Hardy (1,649 yards) and Roberts (753). Simmons, Ole Miss’ Week 1 starter before getting hurt, will compete with three-game freshman starter Matt Zollers. The Tigers’ top-10 defense took a hit when DE Damon Wilson II went in the portal, but the linebackers and safeties are strong. Mizzou will rely on transfers at cornerback. Special teams need to improve.
Michigan Wolverines: Underwood had an underwhelming freshman season but should benefit from the arrival of Kyle Whittingham and OC Jason Beck, who developed Utah star Devon Dampier. Michigan will have another strong running game, led by Marshall. The front seven loses a ton of experience but at least adds Daley, who led Utah with 11.5 sacks. Young D-linemen will need to emerge. The secondary can be a strength, though.
Ole Miss Rebels: Lacy, a first team All-American, is back after running for 1,567 yards and 24 TDs. With star QB Trinidad Chambliss’ eligibility up in the air, Pete Golding landed 2025 five-star Knight to succeed him if necessary. Golding will rely heavily on transfer receivers. Several key defensive players went in the portal, but Ole Miss added several replacements with Power 4 starting experience. Oatis and Oregon’s Blake Purchase should help shore up the front seven.
LSU Tigers: Lane Kiffin went all-in on flipping LSU’s roster with more than 35 additions. Leavitt led Arizona State to the 2024 Big 12 title, while Dottery and Benefield played key roles on CFP teams. Kiffin made the O-line a priority after seeing LSU’s woeful 2025 unit. Retaining DC Blake Baker and stars Weeks and Keys was huge for the defense, but otherwise most of the personnel will look different.
Louisville Cardinals: Jeff Brohm’s team started 7-1, with a win at Miami, but lost three straight in November after Isaac Brown (8.8 yards per carry) went down. He’s back, as is sidekick Keyjuan Brown (7.3 YPC). Brohm is betting on Kienholz, the former Ohio State backup who was neck-and-neck with Julian Sayin last preseason, and landed Richardson, Vandy’s leading receiver. Louisville fielded a top-20 defense but must replace four of its top five tacklers.
Iowa Hawkeyes: Kirk Ferentz will hold a quarterback competition between third-year Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski and brief Auburn starter Hank Brown. Iowa should have a strong rushing attack behind Phillips, who ran for an FCS-leading 1,921 yards as a sophomore, and Moulton. The D-line will need to reload, with Elon transfer Brown (12 sacks) entering the mix alongside youngsters such as Iose Epenesa. Lutmer has All-America potential.
Washington Huskies: Jedd Fisch welcomed back his star quarterback, Williams, after his near-departure, but he has to replace standout RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston. Roebuck was an impressive freshman starter. DC Ryan Walters’ top-20 unit could be the Huskies’ strength, led by the linebackers and secondary. Manu, limited to five games this season, was first-team All-Pac-12 at Arizona. Fisch signed four portal D-linemen to address depth concerns.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama will have a new quarterback, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell, and a lot of questions on offense. Receiver remains a strength, but Kalen DeBoer will have a young O-line and needs new running backs to emerge after Jam Miller turned pro. The Tide return more proven players on defense, bringing back their entire starting secondary and top pass rusher Pierre, but they got wiped out …
Houston Cougars: Willie Fritz is proving to be one of the best program builders in the nation. He took Houston from four wins to 10 wins in just his second season. Quarterback Conner Weigman returns to lead the offense.
Tennessee Volunteers: The outlook for Tennessee shifted from uncertain to elite following a historic courtroom victory. Quarterback Joey Aguilar successfully won his suit against the NCAA, granting him a rare eighth year of eligibility. With Aguilar officially back in the fold, the Volunteers boast one of the most experienced and productive signal-callers in the country.
Ole Miss Rebels: The post-Lane Kiffin era begins in Oxford with a sense of quiet confidence. The Rebels found their anchor in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who proved his mettle during a chaotic winter.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: The arrival of head coach Eric Morris signals a rapid turnaround in Stillwater. Morris comes over from North Texas and brings a massive influx of talent with him.
Penn State Nittany Lions: A new era begins in Happy Valley as Matt Campbell arrives from Iowa State to replace James Franklin. Campbell faces a significant rebuild, but he didn't come alone.
Way-Too-Early All-America Team for the 2026 Season
Here's a way-too-early look at a potential All-America team for the 2026 college football season:
- QB: Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
- RB: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
- RB: Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
- WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
- WR: Malachi Toney, Miami
- TE: Trey’Dez Green, LSU
- OT: Carter Smith, Indiana
- OG: Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
- C: Kade Pieper, Iowa
- OG: Shadre Hurst, Houston
- OT: Trevor Goosby, Texas
- All-Purpose: Wayne Knight, UCLA
- Edge: John Henry Daley, Michigan
- DT: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
- DT: A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
- Edge: Colin Simmons, Texas
- LB: Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
- LB: Rasheem Biles, Texas
- LB: Xavier Atkins, Auburn
- CB: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
- CB: Kelley Jones, Mississippi State
- S: KJ Bolden, Georgia
- S: Koi Perich, Oregon
- PK: Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
- P: Evan Crenshaw, Troy
- Return Specialist: Ryan Niblett, Texas
- Edge: Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
- DT: A.J.
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