Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 24, 2026, 8:33 a.m.
Overall Rationale: Preseason vibes, last years momentum, total talent - are they poised to leap or poised to fall?
I'm not sure Kiffin works out year 1 - I'm kind of waiting to watch LSU vs Clemson for my feelings on both squads. I think I'm high on USC? (both of them really) but I really want to see that defense before I commit. Similarly, I think the Louisville defense could be phenomenal but I need to see the offense which is odd for a Brohm team (though Keyjuan Brown looks to be an NFL talent and Isaac Brown could be fighting for All-ACC, 2 good RBs.
Indiana is a guess, I could see BYU and Utah falling off and Michigan gaining from that, preseason polls are kinda dumb - but they are fun to think about. Either way - want my predictions on record.
One of VT or Pitt will surprise in the ACC. California has the best QB in the ACC. Arch Manning wins the Heisman. Louisville rushes for 400 yards in a game. Georgia and Oklahoma underperform. Alabama looks good again. Big 10 still the strongest at the top.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
|
| 2 |
Oregon Ducks
|
|
| 3 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
|
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
|
| 5 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
|
| 6 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
|
| 7 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
|
| 8 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
|
| 9 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
|
| 10 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
|
| 11 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
|
| 12 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
|
| 13 |
BYU Cougars
|
|
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
|
| 15 |
SMU Mustangs
|
|
| 16 |
Washington Huskies
|
|
| 17 |
Utah Utes
|
|
| 18 |
LSU Tigers
|
|
| 19 |
USC Trojans
|
|
| 20 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
|
| 21 |
Houston Cougars
|
|
| 22 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
|
| 23 |
Clemson Tigers
|
|
| 24 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
|
| 25 |
Florida Gators
|
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.05 |
| 2 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
-0.68 |
| 8 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.01 |
| 9 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.46 |
| 16 |
Washington Huskies
|
0.22 |
| 17 |
Utah Utes
|
0.01 |
| 18 |
LSU Tigers
|
-0.05 |
| 19 |
USC Trojans
|
-0.38 |
| 20 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.08 |
| 21 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
Clemson Tigers
|
0.04 |
| 24 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
-0.06 |
| 25 |
Florida Gators
|
0.00 |