Back to poll results >>

SufferingfOrLife Ballot for 2026 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 23, 2026, 2:56 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Just my personal opinion on each team, and I'll try to explain why I like and dislike them.


Other teams in consideration: Tennessee, Missouri, UCLA, Arizona State, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Minnesota, California, TCU

Rank Team Reason
1 Oregon Ducks Reasons I like them: #11 in returning production, return of QB Dante Moore, abundance of weapons (Dak. Moore, Stewart, McClellan, Hooks, Hill, Davison), Strong D-line (Uiagalelei, Alexander, Washington, Tuioti).

Reasons I dislike them: Replacing both coordinators (Stein to Kentucky, Lupoi to Cal), new special teams operation (K, P, LS), replacing three o-linemen, including both tackles.
2 Texas Longhorns Reasons I like them: #6 in returning production, Additions of Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown to help the running game, trio of WRs (Coleman, Wingo, Mosley), and difference makers at all three levels of defense (Simmons, pass rusher, Biles linebacker, McDonald secondary).

Reasons I dislike them: TE position is weak, O-line depth is shaky, and the safety room beyond McDonald leaves a bit to be desired.
3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Reasons I like them: #1 in returning production, Phenomenal defense (Moore, Bowen, Traore, Young, McKinney, Gray 50/50), Strong interior line (Knapp, Craig, Jagusah), CJ Carr entering his second year as a starter.

Reasons I dislike them: They have to replace two first-round running backs, CJ Carr may not take a step forward, and a weak schedule gives them little margin for error against the best teams on their schedule.
4 Ohio State Buckeyes Reasons I like them: Return talented trio of Sayin, Smith, Jackson; four o-linemen return, always going to have talented receivers.

Reasons I dislike them: Have to replace 8 starters on defense; how quickly can Arthur Smith adjust to the college game?
5 Georgia Bulldogs Reasons I like them: #8 in returning production, best linebacking group in the country, great running backs, and a talented deep tight end room

Reasons I dislike them: The receiving room is barren; the edge rushing group is weaker than past teams.
6 Indiana Hoosiers Reasons I like them: Strong d-line group anchored by interior, wide receiver room is strong, three deep at running back, and both coordinators are back.

Reasons I dislike them: The downgrade from Mendoza to Hoover; the TE room is one deep.
7 Miami Hurricanes Reasons I like them: Darian Mensah is an upgrade over Beck; Mark Fletcher Jr. is one of the top backs in the ACC; even with the loss of Mesidor and Bain, they still have strong defensive line depth.

Reasons I dislike them: Replacing both tackles and the center, question marks around overall depth of the team.
8 USC Trojans Reasons I like them: #13 in returning production, Jayden Maiva back for his third year with the team and his second year starting, King Miller, and Waymond Jordan return.

Reasons I dislike them: Gary Patterson hasn't been a coordinator since 2000 and a coach since 2021. Wide receiver concerns and run defense weakness.
9 Texas Tech Red Raiders Reasons I like them: #12 in returning production, still one of the top rosters in the Big 12, running back group is great, brought in some talented defensive line talent.

Reasons I dislike them: QB question marks; are they able to replace Bailey and Height's edge-rushing combo?
10 Ole Miss Rebels Reasons I like them: Front seven talent, still have offensive talent, Trinidad Chambliss is back, and Kewan Lacy is one of the best backs in the country.

Reasons I dislike them: What impact did Lane Kiffin have on this team, and an unproven tackle tandem.
11 LSU Tigers Reasons I like them: Best portal class in the country, offensive talent for days, Blake Baker retained, and a talented defense.

Reasons I dislike them: Defensive line and offensive line concerns.
12 Texas A&M Aggies Reasons I like them: #14 in returning production, talented receiving room, defense is talented, especially the d-line and secondary.

Reasons I dislike them: Questions surrounding the interior o-line; can Marcel Reed perform in the big games (limit mistakes)?
13 Oklahoma Sooners Reasons I like them: #16 in returning production, retained their pass catchers, front seven is stacked, and return John Mateer

Reasons I dislike them: Running game still looks porous, and the secondary isn't as strong as the rest of the defense.
14 Michigan Wolverines Reasons I like them: #20 in returning production, running game, strong lines on both sides, secondary is good

Reasons I dislike them: Can Bryce Underwood take the next step? Pass-catching depth.
15 Alabama Crimson Tide Reasons I like them: Keelon Russell is a phenomenal young QB; the secondary is talented (Hubbard, Brown, Lee, Sabb, etc.).

Reasons I dislike them: #90 in returning production, the running game is still a major question mark, and the O-line is still weak.
16 SMU Mustangs Reasons I like them: #22 in returning production, talented core of Tight ends and receivers, return three of five starting o-linemen, Kevin Jennings is back.

Reasons I dislike them: Lost both coordinators, defensive line uncertainty.
17 Houston Cougars Reasons I like them: #17 in returning production, hopeful for a Makhi Hughes bounce-back, Connor Weigman is a great QB and coming off the best season of his career, and the WR duo of Amare Thomas & Trent Walker is one of the best in the Big 12.

Reasons I dislike them: defensive line concerns, lots of close wins last year; can it be replicated?
18 Washington Huskies Reasons I like them: #15 in returning production; Demond Williams is back, talented linebacking core, offensive line continuity.

Reasons I dislike them: Unproven running back room after losing Coleman; lost offensive coordinator, and secondary is inexperienced.
19 BYU Cougars Reasons I like them: #18 in returning production, Backfield of Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin, Offensive line talent.

Reasons I dislike them: WR room is weak; lost DC Jay Hill.
20 Utah Utes Reasons I like them: Dampier and Parker duo

Reasons I dislike them: Rebuilt offensive line and new receivers.
21 Auburn Tigers Reasons I like them: Talented skill positions, Byrum Brown is excellent, and retained DJ Durkin

Reasons I dislike them: Secondary is shaky, and the offensive line is rebuilt.
22 Penn State Nittany Lions Reasons I like them: Easy Schedule, nice defensive pieces, continuity on offense

Reasons I dislike them: A lot of transfers from an 8-4 Iowa State team, so what is the ceiling for the team? Receivers, o-line question marks.
23 Louisville Cardinals Reasons I like them: One of the best backfield duos in Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown,

Reasons I dislike them: Replacing four starters on the o-line
24 Arizona Wildcats Reasons I like them: Return of Noah FIfita, all three of the top running backs return, and talented front seven

Reasons I dislike them: Have to replace one of the best secondaries in CFB last season with 4/5 portal guys starting.
25 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Reasons I like them: Running game with Justice Haynes, Malachi Hosley, and the offensive line under coach Brent Key being good.

Reasons I dislike them: Return a decent bit of defense (The defense wasn't good)

Back to poll results >>