Klightgrove Ballot for 2026 Preseason
Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 22, 2026, 7:05 p.m.
Overall Rationale: Basing on known 2025 performance mixed with recruiting rankings and changes to lineup / coaching staff.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
The defending champions building another roster that should be able to compete. |
| 2 |
Oregon Ducks
|
The 2nd top recruiting class and an impressive playoff run ended by a fateful matchup with Indiana, Lanning is expected to make another run. |
| 3 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
|
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
|
| 5 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
|
| 6 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
For Keelon Russell to unseat Austin Mack raises confidence they will beat the lower expectations this season. |
| 7 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
There are many variables here with coaching changes, but Golding proved he can win last year and brought in major commits. |
| 8 |
USC Trojans
|
#1 recruiting class again, with close losses last season to ranked teams they can be expected to bounce back. |
| 9 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
|
| 10 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
|
| 11 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
|
| 12 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
|
| 13 |
LSU Tigers
|
|
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
|
| 15 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
|
| 16 |
Utah Utes
|
Utah had an impressive 2025 season with only a single bad loss and a nail biter against BYU. |
| 17 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
Recovering after Franklin's departure, expectations are always high but Matt Campbell proved he can win. However the reeling season prior and poor recruiting class raises concerns. |
| 18 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
|
| 19 |
Washington Huskies
|
|
| 20 |
BYU Cougars
|
|
| 21 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
An impressive last season topping off a win against a ranked SEC team and coming in with new defensive recruits. |
| 22 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
James Frankling came into VT and walked out with an impressive recruiting class, up from 44th to 21st. |
| 23 |
SMU Mustangs
|
Left reeling away from a championship by 4 combined points last year, they built a strong recruiting class. |
| 24 |
Syracuse Orange
|
An impressive recruiting class with a variable history the last 2 years, they were dealt a bad hand of losses but could bounce back in the wide open ACC. |
| 25 |
Memphis Tigers
|
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.40 |
| 2 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
1.13 |
| 7 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.25 |
| 8 |
USC Trojans
|
0.86 |
| 9 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-0.47 |
| 10 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
-1.58 |
| 13 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
-0.22 |
| 16 |
Utah Utes
|
0.22 |
| 17 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.10 |
| 18 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 19 |
Washington Huskies
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
BYU Cougars
|
-0.81 |
| 21 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
2.89 |
| 23 |
SMU Mustangs
|
-0.04 |
| 24 |
Syracuse Orange
|
1.23 |
| 25 |
Memphis Tigers
|
0.21 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Houston Cougars
|
0.31 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.29 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.06 |
Total Score: 11.07