elnino550 Ballot for 2026 Preseason
Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 21, 2026, 8:28 a.m.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Oregon Ducks
|
This has to be it for Oregon, they've been knocking on the door and they bring back nearly everyone including Evan Stewart who missed all of last year through injury and the best backup QB in the country. Their star player at SS even got replaced by the highest ranked safety in the portal. The clear pre-season number one for me. |
| 2 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
They have the highest retention along with the 2nd best recruitment class in the country. CJ Carr is currently the favorite for the heisman and they have the number one defensive player in the country, this roster is loaded. They lost 2 NFL 1st round RBs, so they may have to increase their passing game, but I have no worries they'll still be able to run the ball. Anything worse than 11-1 with their schedule is a disaster. |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
This offense is going to be even better than last year, they have upgraded at QB, paired him up with his team mate and Duke, to go along with the 2nd best WR in college football Malachi Toney and a great RB in Mark Fletcher, they did lose pieces in the O-line including a first-round NFL draft pick but I trust Cristobel to not let this unit dip. The biggest concern will be D line since they lost 2 NFL 1st rounders, Damon Wilson will help with that but even with a slight dip, I just see this team being even better than last year with an improved offense. |
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
On paper this is the best roster in the SEC, so I have to rank them as such in the pre-season. Arch manning got better as the season went on and he now has a top 3 WR in college football to throw to, and 2 dynamic RBs to help out. |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Their schedule is brutal, and they've lost so much on the defensive side of the ball, I still expect them to be a great program with the potential of winning the Natty especially with the best player in college football catching the ball. But Sayin has to improve in the big games with an expected regression on defence. |
| 6 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
It's hard to ever doubt this team and their coaching staff, they don't seem to have many star standout players but they have a lot of depth and an experienced QB who defines the culture that Kirby brings. Their biggest weakness will be at WR but they will still have an elite running game to account for that. |
| 7 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
They lost a Heisman winning QB along with his 2 WRs and their starting 2 RBs on offense, as well as their game-changing DB Ponds. Their o-line looks to still be elite, Josh Hoover has been inconsistent but Cignetti has a nack of improving QBs so I will trust this coaching staff to have them as one of the main contenders again before a tier drop with the teams ranked below |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
This number 8 position is a clear tier-break from the top 7, who I see any having the capabilities to winning the national title. LSU is more projection, they have a top-5 portal class to go along with their new coach and they have gone all-in to win now. |
| 9 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
Their defence won them the majority of their games last season, and I expect it to be elite again. The front 7 will be very disruptive, and they have the experience in the secondary to create turnovers. More on the offense with a healthy Mateer and they should challenge for the SEC. |
| 10 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
The only positional group that can be completely confident in is their secondary which is likely the best unit in the country. The O line is a huge wildcard with no returning starters, but this was another great recruiting class and they will have to rely on them starting off hot. QB is a question too but the view seems to be whoever wins the starting job has very high potential. |
| 11 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Even with no Sorsby, I think it's likely they've upgraded at QB. The real concern is how they defence has been completely obliterated by the NFL draft, but it's projecting to be nearly as strong. |
| 12 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
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| 13 |
BYU Cougars
|
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| 14 |
USC Trojans
|
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| 15 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
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| 16 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
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| 17 |
Washington Huskies
|
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| 18 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
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| 19 |
SMU Mustangs
|
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| 20 |
Houston Cougars
|
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| 21 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
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| 22 |
Arizona Wildcats
|
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| 23 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
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| 24 |
Tennessee Volunteers
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| 25 |
Utah Utes
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Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.49 |
| 2 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.20 |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.48 |
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
-1.03 |
| 6 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
-0.12 |
| 7 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
-0.27 |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.51 |
| 9 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.03 |
| 10 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
USC Trojans
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 16 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 17 |
Washington Huskies
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.57 |
| 19 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 21 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Arizona Wildcats
|
0.87 |
| 23 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
-0.11 |
| 25 |
Utah Utes
|
-0.18 |
Missouri Tigers