College Football 2026 Preview: Rankings, Bold Predictions Heisman Candidates, and More
For me, the process begins sometime in August, but it falls earlier and earlier each year it seems, with the passage of time. A YouTube search. Something along the lines of “Enter Sandman Virginia Tech” or “Clemson hill.” Then the minutes turn to hours, as I dive into the various college football entrances that dot […]
The 2026 college football season is upon us, and SB Nation has put together its preseason ranking of the top 25 teams across the country. Ohio State is leading the pack as the preseason No. 1 team. The Buckeyes have a strong chance to take another leap forward, thanks to the return of star player Julian Sayin and a talented group of offensive players, including Jeremiah Smith and the backfield duo of Bo Jackson and Isaiah West.
However, there are questions about the depth of the defensive line, with only one spot available after the departure of the right tackle.
At the other end of the spectrum, teams like Texas Tech, Michigan, and LSU are considered title contenders. These teams have the potential to make a strong case for a national championship, but they will need to capitalize on strengths and overcome some challenges. For instance, Texas Tech needs to replace a significant portion of their defensive roster to succeed, while Michigan and LSU will need improvements from their quarterbacks to reach the top of the pile.
The article also highlights a few other promising teams that could see significant improvement in 2026.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
