Indiana tops the post-spring 2026 college football rankings, followed by Ohio State at No. 2. USC is also noted for its rise in the rankings.
College football rankings post-spring Top 25 for 2026: Indiana, Ohio State on top; USC on the rise originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ohio State travels to Indiana on Oct. 17 in what could be the best game of the 2026 college football regular season.
Who would have said that four years ago? Two years ago? That's the impact of third-year coach Curt Cignetti, who led the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff championship game last season. Indiana returns more than enough pieces to make another run, and they remain in the top spot in Sporting News Post Spring Top 25 rankings. The Buckeyes – the 2024 national champions – are No. 2.
That's a part of a Big Ten-heavy field that includes nine schools from the conference.
The SEC has seven schools on the list, including Georgia and Texas at No. 3 and and No. 4, respectively. Notre Dame – which looks to bounce back from last year's CFP snub – rounds out the top five. Any one of those five schools could be No. 1 in the AP Preseason Top 25 later this summer and we would not be surprised.
What changed from our Way-Too-Early Top 25 in January? There are a few movers, and the uncertainty around Texas Tech in the Big 12 with quarterback is accounted for. There are four Big 12 teams and four ACC teams on this list.
The top teams in the 2026 college football rankings are Indiana at No. 1 and Ohio State at No. 2.
Indiana reached the College Football Playoff championship game last season, showcasing a strong performance.
The Big Ten conference has the most teams, with nine schools represented in the 2026 rankings.
Ohio State and Indiana are scheduled to play each other on October 17, 2026.
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Indiana is 27-2 the last two seasons under Cignetti – and the next wave of portal additions brought TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Boston College running back Turbo Richard and Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh – who was a standout at the spring game. The Hoosiers also return several key returners from last year's national championship team, including All-America tackle Carter Smith and receiver Charlie Becker on offense and defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and cornerback Jamari Sharpe on defense. The schedule is set up for a fast start ahead of that Big Ten championship game rematch against Ohio State.
Ohio State returns star power from an offense that averaged 33.4 points per game last season. Quarterback Jullian Sayin was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Junior receiver Jeremiah Smith had 1,243 receiving yards and 12 TDs. Running back Bo Jackson, tackle Austin Siereveld and five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. all return with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Will Smith have the same successful transition to the college game as Matt Patricia? Edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and safety Jaylen McClain should be breakout players on defense. Ohio State faces four top-10 teams this season – starting with a road trip to Texas (Sept. 12).
The Bulldogs won back-to-back SEC championships under coach Kirby Smart, but the program always has something to prove. Quarterback Gunner Stockton, running back Nate Frazier, receiver London Humphreys and tight end Lawson Luckie are the key returning playmakers, and tackle Earnest Greene leads a young offensive line. The defense returns potential first-round picks in linebacker Raylen Wilson and safety KJ Bolden. Georgia also retained defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, who is a popular coaching carousel candidate. Road trips to Alabama (Oct. 10) and Ole Miss (Nov. 7) are the potential stumbling blocks in front of a third straight trip to Atlanta.
Texas might have the most-talented roster in the FBS. Arch Manning returns at quarterback, and the receiver room is loaded with Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V. A rebuilt running back room features Arizona State's Raleek Brown and NC State's Hollywood Smothers, but the offensive line will need to be better in 2026. Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles and Florida State transfer Justin Cryer beef up the linebacker spot, and the return of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has increased the excitement for Steve Sarkisian's sixth season. The Longhorns are 35-8 the last three years and could be the preseason favorite to win the SEC.
Notre Dame is 34-7 the last three seasons, and this is arguably the most talented team yet under Marcus Freeman. CJ Carr – who had 2,751 passing yards, 24 TDs and six interceptions – is among the early Heisman favorites. Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young must replace the production left by first-round picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison get help from Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham at receiver. The offensive line is solid around tackle Anthonie Knapp. All-American cornerback Leonard Moore and senior linebacker Drayk Bowen lead a defense that also features linebacker Kyngstonn Asa-Viliamu and edge rusher Boubabar Traore. Notre Dame opens with Wisconsin (Sept. 6) at Lambeau Field. Circle Nov. 7 when the Irish host Miami.
Quarterback Dante Moore's decision to return to school was huge for the Ducks, which also landed Nebraska transfer QB Dylan Raiola in the transfer portal. Moore wasn't the only key player who returned. Receiver Evan Stewart and tight end Jamari Johnson are back on offense, and the defense returns Matayo Uiagalelei and A'Mauri Washington on the front seven and adds Minnesota transfer safety Koi Perich. The pieces are there for coach Dan Lanning, who promoted coordinators Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton. The home opener against Boise State (Sept. 5) is interesting along with road tests at USC (Sept. 26) and Ohio State (Nov. 7). Can the Ducks break through and win the program's first national title?
Mario Cristobal guided Miami to the CFP championship game last season, and there are enough pieces back to make another playoff run. Darian Mensah – the ACC's passing leader with 3,973 yards and 34 TDs – is the new quarterback. Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney are back, and Duke transfer receiver Cooper Barkate and South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs give Mensah more than enough to work with in the passing game. Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten and Mohamed Toure are key returning pieces on a defense that must replace the production from Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Road trips to Clemson (Oct. 3) and Notre Dame (Nov. 17) are the highlights of the schedule.
Pete Golding takes over at Ole Miss after leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinals following Lane Kiffin's exit. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction in a Mississippi courtroom which allows him to play for another season. Running back Kewan Lacy (1,567 yards, 24 TDs) returns, and Texas receiver Johntay Cook should fit in the offense. The defense features seven projected starters from the portal, and the key returners are defensive tackle Will Echoles and edge rusher Suntarine Perkins – who both could be first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Golding has a talented roster back, and LSU visits Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19 in Kiffin's return.
John Mateer
Oklahoma made the CFP under coach Brent Venables in 2025, and the key to returning will be keeping quarterback John Mateer healthy this season. Mateer had 2,885 passing yards, 431 rushing yards and 22 total TDs in 2025. Receiver Isaiah Sategna is back, and Texas receiver Parker Livingstone is a solid addition. The defense returns defensive tackle David Stone and defensive backs Peyton Bowen and Eli Bowen. The Sooners are 8-8 in SEC play the last two seasons, so Venables will have to prove it all over again with a schedule that includes road trips to Michigan (Sept. 12) and Georgia (Sept. 26) in the first month of the season.
USC cracks our top-10 in a prove-it year under fifth-year coach Lincoln Riley. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is a Heisman contender who ranked fourth in the FBS with 3,711 passing yards. The back-field tandem of Waymond Jordan and King Miller should be prolific, and Tanook Hines is the new go-to receiver. The offensive line is experienced, too. The question is whether new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson can make an impact on that side. Desman Stephens II – who had 89 tackles – should help with that transition. The Trojans have a three-game stretch against Oregon (Sept. 26), Washington (Oct. 3) and Penn State (Oct. 10) before a home showdown with Ohio State (Oct. 31).
Mike Elko guided an impressive turnaround the last two seasons in College Station. The Aggies are coming off a CFP appearance. Quarterback Marcel Reed returns after passing for 3,169 yards, 25 TDs and 12 interceptions last season. LSU tackle Tyree Adams is one of four transfers on the offensive line. Reuben Owens III (639 yards, TDs) averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and Alabama transfer receiver Isaiah Horton joins Mario Craver. Offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins replaces Collin Klein, who took the Kansas State job, as offensive coordinator. The defense had five players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Cashius Howell. The schedule features road trips to LSU (Sept. 26), Alabama (Oct. 24) and Oklahoma (Nov. 24) before the home finale against Texas (Nov. 27).
Kalen DeBoer signed a seven-year extension that runs through 2033 – which clears up any doubts about his future in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer did lead a CFP run in Year 2 – but the standards remain high at Alabama. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are battling for the starting QB job, and running back Daniel Hill and receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams return on offense. The defense needs to rebuild the front seven, but the secondary remains a strength with Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. The Crimson Tide face Florida State (Sept. 19) and Georgia (Oct. 10) in the first half of the season.
Kyle Whittingham took over at Michigan after 21 seasons with Utah. Utes offensive coordinator Jason Beck and BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill joined Whittingham. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is on the spot after an up-and-down freshman year. Running backs Jordan Marshall and five-star freshman Savion Hiter should be formidable, and tackle Andrew Sprague anchors a solid offensive line. Which receivers will emerge with Andrew Marsh? Edge rusher John Henry Daley – who had 11.5 sacks last season – transferred from Utah. Michigan faces home games against Oklahoma (Sept. 12), Iowa (Sept. 26) and Indiana (Oct. 24) along with late-season road games at Oregon (Nov. 14) and Ohio State (Nov. 28). It will not be easy in Year 1 for Whittingham.
LSU enters Year 1 with Lane Kiffin – and half of the projected starters are from the transfer portal. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and Colorado tackle Jordan Seaton are the high-profile newcomers on offense along with Kansas State's Jayce Brown (712 yards, 5 TDs) and Hawaii's Jackson Harris (963 yards, 12 TDs). Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry also return. The defense should be solid with linebacker Whit Weeks and Boise State transfer safety Ty Benefield. It won't take long to find out how this will work. LSU opens with Clemson (Sept. 5) before Kiffin's highly anticipated return to Ole Miss (Sept. 19).
The Cougars are the new Big 12 favorite. BYU is 23-4 the last two seasons – the only team with back-to-back double-digit win seasons that did not make the CFP. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin return to a prolific rushing attack that averaged 178.1 rushing yards per game. The Cougars added USC tight end Walker Lyons and four offensive linemen via the portal. Linebacker Isaiah Glasker and safety Faleatu Satuala are the key returners on a defense that added Cal linebacker Cade Uluave. BYU hosts Notre Dame (Oct. 17) and travels to Utah (Nov. 17).
Whittingham's departure means Morgan Scalley – an assistant for Utah since 2007 – takes over a program capable of winning the Big 12 championship. Devin Dampier and Byrd Ficklin are battling for the starting QB job. Utah hired Kevin McGiven as the new offensive coordinator. Leading rusher Wayshawn Parker is back, and UCLA transfer receiver Braden Pegan (926 yards, 5 TDs) should fit into the offense. Safety Tao Johnson leads a Utes' defense that allowed 18.9 points per game last season. Arkansas visits Utah on Sept. 12 in an intriguing early test.
Rocco Becht Imagn 050526
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
The Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State, and 24 Cyclones followed him to Penn State. That included quarterback Rocco Becht – a three-year starter who has 64 career TD passes. Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen and Ohio State transfer James Peoples are the new backfield. The Nittany Lions also hired USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, which should help the transition on that side. Iowa State transfer Marcus Neal should be an All-America caliber safety. Penn State does not play Indiana, Ohio State or Oregon. A two-week stretch against USC (Oct. 10) and Michigan (Oct. 17) will be telling.
Jeff Brohm is 28-12 since taking over at his alma mater, and that includes nine or more wins each of the last three seasons. Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has high-end potential behind a strong running game with Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson and Florida State transfer Lawayne McCoy are the new receivers, and Tulsa tight end Brody Foley had seven TDs last season. Mark Ellis and Steve Ivey were promoted to co-defensive coordinators for a defense that returns standout edge rusher Clev Lubin (8.5 sacks). Louisville opens with Ole Miss (Sept. 5) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Iowa has 13 consecutive winning seasons under Kirk Ferentz, and the formula for success remains the same. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown will take the QB battle into fall camp. Kamari Moulton (878 yards, 5 TDs) is featured behind an offensive line led by Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck. Zach Lutmer (71 tackles, 3 INTs) is a do-everything safety who leads a unit that ranked eighth in the FBS in scoring defense at 16.1 points per game in 2025. It's a loaded home schedule with matchups against Iowa State (Sept. 12), Ohio State (Oct. 3) and Illinois (Nov. 21), and the Hawkeyes also have an early road trip to Michigan (Sept. 26).
This is where Texas Tech falls with the uncertainty around Brendan Sorsby, who is under NCAA investigation on allegations of sports gambling. Sorsby had 2,800 passing yards, 28 TDs and seven interceptions at Cincinnati in 2025. Backup quarterback Will Hammond is coming off a torn ACL and is projected to return for Week 3 vs. Houston. The Red Raiders still have a talented roster under coach Joey McGuire, but they must replace nine 2026 NFL Draft picks. San Diego State edge rusher Trey White (19.5 sacks) and Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine (184 tackles) should help, but the QB question still stands.
Say hello to the trendy Big 12 sleeper for 2026. Willie Fritz flipped the Cougars from four wins in 2024 to 10 wins in 2025. The Cougars have Conner Weigman at quarterback and five-star quarterback Keisean Henderson as a starter-in-waiting. Oregon transfer Makai Hughes had two 1,000-yard seasons, and All-America guard Shadre Hurst, a Tulane transfer, leads the offensive line. Marshall transfer linebacker Jaden Yates had 175 total tackles the last two seasons. A Friday night trip to Texas Tech (Sept. 18) is a huge early marker in the Big 12 race.
Bret Bielema raised the bar at Illinois. The Illini set a two-year program record with 19 victories from 2024-25. East Carolina transfer Katin Houser takes over at quarterback, and running back Ca'Lil Valentine (614 yards, 4 TDs) returns. The Illini also hired Montana coach Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator, and he will transition the defense into a 4-3 scheme. Who replaces edge rusher Gabe Jacas? The Big Ten opener at Ohio State (Sept. 26) and a road date at Oregon (Oct. 24) are the highlights of the schedule.
SMU enters Year 3 in the ACC with a program expected to compete for the CFP – a nod to what Rhett Lashlee has bult with a 38-16 record the last four years. Defensive coordinator Scott Symons left to become the linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys, and the Mustangs promoted Maurice Crum Jr. and Rickey Hunley Jr. to co-coordinators. Quarterback Kevin Jennings is back, and Cal transfer running back Kendrick Raphael (943 rushing yards, 13 TDs) led the ACC with 232 carries in 2025. September will be telling with road trips to Florida State (Sept. 7) and Louisville (Sept. 19). A late-season trip to Notre Dame (Nov. 21) is the schools' first meeting since the Irish beat the Mustangs 59-6 in 1989.
The Huskies are 15-11 in two seasons since joining the Big Ten. Washington coach Jedd Fisch has the pieces in place for a run this season. Demond Williams – who had 3,065 passing yards, 25 TDs, 8 INTs – returned despite some offseason drama, and Oregon transfer running back Jayden Limur is in line for a breakout season. The Huskies lost seven players to the 2026 NFL Draft, but the defense should continue to improve under second-year coordinator Ryan Walters. The Big Ten schedule is friendly until the Huskies face Indiana (Nov. 21) and Oregon (Nov. 28) in back-to-back weeks.
Is a quick turnaround in store for James Franklin and the Hokies? Three projected starters followed Franklin from Penn State – including quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Leading rusher Marcellous Hawkins had 749 yards on 6.3 yards per carry in 2025, and a retooled defense returns edge rusher Kemari Copeland. The ACC schedule features road trips to Clemson (Oct. 24), SMU (Nov. 7) and a Black Friday matchup at Miami (Nov. 20). Franklin will be in the spotlight several times this season.