Back to poll results >>

AoA_nB1 Ballot for 2026 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 24, 2026, 3:46 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Attempting to balance AP/Coaches/other analytics to not look stupid when looking back at this poll

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes Returning the best player in college football, Heisman hopeful QB and Bo Jackson, this offense should produce at a top 5 level. Losing three top eleven picks on the defensive side of the ball won’t be an easy replacement, but the Buckeyes always reload.
2 Georgia Bulldogs On the flip side, Georgia is only reloading one first round draftee in Monroe Freeling, but the Dawgs lost a lot of their receiving production. Second year Stockton with Frazier & Co. in the RB room can (and should) be able to lean on Kirby’s defense.
3 Oregon Ducks Returning the surefire #2 overall pick Dante Moore gives the Ducks an unbelievable floor this year. Couple that with 14 returning starters, Oregon is poised to get over the hump.
4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Returning CJ Carr and a stout defense. ND rightfully has a huge chip on their shoulder entering this season, and I believe Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish come out swinging this year.
5 Texas Longhorns 2nd year Arch with the addition of one of the best WR in college football should produce a top ten offense. With Muschamp’s defense on the back end, UT should challenge UGA for the top seat in the SEC.
6 Miami Hurricanes Mensah, Fletcher and Toney are one of the best offensive trios in the nation. Miami should win the ACC this year, but can they repeat their 2025 run with a new target on their back?
7 Ole Miss Rebels One stop away from the CFB national championship, I believe Trinidad and Kewan can bring Ole Miss back to the playoffs.
8 Indiana Hoosiers Cignetti’s Hoosiers are almost a shoe-in for the playoffs, with an easier Big10 schedule this year, they’ll let it known that they’re here to stay.
9 LSU Tigers Bullish on Lane and his forever home.
10 Oklahoma Sooners Playoff team returning their Heisman caliber QB, who was never the same after his injury.
11 Texas A&M Aggies Brutal schedule and a likely date with Texas to decide their playoff fate.
12 USC Trojans Returning Maiava, but a tough schedule. Wouldn’t be surprised if Lincoln falls short yet again.
13 Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama has one of the best defenses in the nation, but there’s uncertainty with Keelon Russell leading the Crimson Tide’s offense.
14 Texas Tech Red Raiders No Sorsby no problem? Will Hammond was slated to take over the starting job in 2026, but that was before he tore his ACL against Arizona State. Hammond is tracking to be ready for week 1, but TTU is poised to take a step back this year.
15 BYU Cougars Returning Bachmeier and retaining Sitake should set the Cougars up for a B12 title run, but they’ll have to overcome their demons in Lubbock.
16 Michigan Wolverines Kyle Whittingham is an upgrade from Sherrone, but the Wolverines need to see more out of their highly HS ranked qb Bryce Underwood.
17 Tennessee Volunteers Heupel is starting true freshman Faizon Brandon, who will have some growing pains in his SEC debut
18 Washington Huskies Losing Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman will put a lot on Demond’s shoulders, they only face one out of the top three in the big10 conference play
19 Penn State Nittany Lions Second biggest question mark in cfb behind LSU. By all accounts Matt Campbell is a great hire, but will Iowa State 1.5 look like 2024 Indiana or 2025 Penn State?
20 SMU Mustangs Not too much from me here, basing off of other polls/expectations
21 Iowa Hawkeyes Mandated ranking
22 Utah Utes Scalley should be able to lead the Utes to a respectable season
23 Clemson Tigers Dabo will have an extraordinary challenge facing LSU in death valley, there’s no chance the Dabo’s crew walks into Death Valley and wins right…
24 Missouri Tigers No Ahmad Hardy, I think Drinkwitz can manage until then
25 Boise State Broncos Blue field

Back to poll results >>