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Doogitywoogity Ballot for 2026 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 22, 2026, 8 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Throughout the offseason I have been in a deep meditation every night. As I astral project during lucid dreaming I’ve found myself in the presence of deities with knowledge of college football past and present, though not the future. These CFB gods have handed down to me, a mere mortal, the initial rankings I present to you today. As a humble servant of their ballinesses, I report that to you today.

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes The big team to beat. They’re certainly not going to have it easy though. texas, Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan along with Iowa, Illinois, and USC makes a tough schedule.
2 Miami Hurricanes Last year’s runner up with who I think is a better qb, a depleted ACC, yeah the Canes are in good shape to make a deep run again. Notre Dame is their big game, while Clemson, FSU, Pitt, and Virginia Tech are probably the only other games that could be close. So long as Cristobal doesn’t do anything stupid that is.
3 Oregon Ducks Oregon has a bit of an easier path through the B1G, with Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington as their main challenges. Illinois and USC are the only other potentially relevant squads barring major upsets by Boise State or Oklahoma State.
4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish With the change to the playoff structure Notre Dame just needs to simply not shit the bed to get in. For this year they’ve really only got 1.5 challenges in Miami and BYU. SMU and Navy are a considerable step down after that, and everyone else should be a pushover. It would be EXTREMELY funny if Wisconsin wins week 1 though.
5 Georgia Bulldogs Georgia has a relatively easy path through the SEC this season. OU, Alabama, and Ole Miss are the biggest risks. Other squads are either massive question marks for this season or bottom dwellers. That said, I hope they lose to Tennessee State.
6 Texas Longhorns texas has a rougher path through the SEC and OOC than Georgia, though Arch’s turnaround in the later half of last season gives reason to believe they’ll be solid. Recent injury for their LT may shake things up if he’s not back in time for Ohio State.
7 Indiana Hoosiers Defending National Champions the Indiana Hoosiers getting no respect. I think Cignetti is a great coach and he may very well pull out another amazing squad, but until I see them play I’m holding my opinions. Hoover should do well there, and they have an easier schedule, but not all pushovers. Ohio State, Michigan, Washington, USC, with only Minnesota in between those all in a row will determine their season.
8 BYU Cougars I’m high on BYU this year. They do have a tougher Big XII schedule with Arizona, Utah, TCU (who I may be overestimating in fairness), plus OOC Notre Dame means they’ve got to earn it.
9 Texas Tech Red Raiders A very easy schedule for the Red Raiders if they didnt get too distracted by the Sorsby Saga. Houston, Arizona, and maybe TCU are their only challenges. That said, I have no idea who their qb will be, and after last season’s rash of injuries at the position I’d be worried about depth at QB for this squad.
10 Utah Utes I think the Utes will be fine without Whittingham. They’ve had their coach in waiting and they seemed to find their way out of doldrums last season. I may be missing some offseason moves as I admittedly don’t keep up with the happenings in Utah, but if there’s nothing else major besides Whitt leaving they should be fine. Tests with Houston, BYU, Arizona, and TCU are the big games this year.
11 Michigan Wolverines They need to break free of the Harbaugh and Moore eras, this season is their chance to do that. Certainly not the easiest schedule, but it’s Michigan they should have a challenging schedule. Oklahoma set the tone last year and it’s going to be a major bell weather again early on. Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State additionally make this quite challenging. They could have a good squad and finish 6-6.
12 Oklahoma Sooners Boy do I have mixed feelings. I likely have them underrated, but with how last season ended for them and a reasonably tough schedule I’m not super confident in this squad.
13 Washington Huskies I’m probably a bit high on the huskies but I have a hard time putting others above them. I like what Fisch is building out here. A pretty manageable schedule up until the last two games against Indiana and Oregon. Not to say Iowa, USC, and Penn State will be easy, just manageable.
14 Arizona Wildcats I’m definitely high on Zona. I like Fifita or however you spell his name, and they should be one of the more solid squads again this year. That said, they face off with BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and a possibly sneaky TCU. One of the tougher Big XII schedules so they’ll have to prove it.
15 Alabama Crimson Tide I don’t know what to make of DeBoer and this version of Alabama. They don’t have too difficult a schedule with the Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU stretch being the only hard parts. But they also have to deal with Auburn in the iron bowl and let’s face it, everyone still brings their A game to beat Alabama.
16 LSU Tigers I’m torn. I think Kiffin could have them humming, but this is also the first time he’s been in a high expectation job since USC. This is going to test whether he changed under Saban or not. Not an easy schedule either, and I’m less sold on Leavitt than others.
17 Iowa Hawkeyes Don’t look now but Iowa had a solid offense last season and looks to continue that direction. The Hawkeyes don’t have the easiest schedule, but it’s not too bad either. Michigan/Ohio State back to back is tough though.
18 Texas A&M Aggies I want to drop them lower bc of the brand new lines this squad will have. But early season games are all manageable or easy and will give a chance for them to gel and Elko and co to make adjustments if Reed keeps in mind that he’s dual threat not just a pocket guy. LSU is the first real test if they haven’t collapsed early which I’m all too aware is always a threat for the Ags. Arkansas is always close unfortunately, and Alabama, Mizzou, OU, texas, an unknown Tennessee, and a South Carolina trying to reestablish itself is a rough schedule.
19 Ole Miss Rebels This is largely supported by how much of a baller Trinidad Chambliss was last year. We’ll see if Golding and co can get the right scheme to support him.
20 USC Trojans It’s that time of year again where I claim USC is a good team and going to do better than many folks expect. Surely I’ll be right one of these days.
21 Penn State Nittany Lions Listen, there aren’t many schools that don’t have at least one frat running a sophisticated cocaine ring. So I won’t be adding any points for that. I think Matt Campbell will get PSU back on track, but I don’t think they’ll suddenly be world beaters this season.
22 Houston Cougars I like Conner Weigman. I said it. Sue me. Don’t sue me I can’t afford it.
23 Louisville Cardinals Brohm needs to take advantage of a down ACC this year. But if I know Louisville football, I know they’re going to drop a game to Syracuse for no discernible reason.
24 Virginia Cavaliers I have them here mostly out of hope. I hope Virginia can keep the chaos rolling this season. I hope they continue to save the program after the lows from the tragedy a few years back. I like Virginia.
25 Virginia Tech Hokies Speaking of Virginia, Tech! I don’t expect Franklin to fully turn them around this year, but I think he’s brought the talent and coaching to get the Hokies back on track. They have a harder schedule than the Hoos, but they’ve also got more upside imo.

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