2026 College Football Power Rankings: Ohio State, Notre Dame Lead the Way

The 2026 college football season officially gets underway with Week 0 this weekend and a few marquee programs in action on Saturday, August 29.

Last season, the Indiana Hoosiers put together a magical undefeated season en route to winning the College Football Playoff over Miami. With a new campaign set to begin, hope springs eternal, and many programs will aim to make a run at college football’s ultimate prize in the College Football Playoff. Which ones could be shaping up to do so this year?

Below, we’ll break down our top 25 preseason college football power rankings, along with preseason AP Poll results and both season-long projections and potential win total payouts from PrizePicks Team Picks.

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College Football Top 25 Power Rankings

Let's kick off these power rankings with a slew of high-profile programs boasting serious College Football Playoff expectations in 2026-27.

1: Ohio State Buckeyes

AP Ranking: #1

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.47x I No 2.5x)

The Buckeyes had four players selected in the top 15 of the 2026 NFL Draft and had to replenish their roster. Still, this is an absolutely loaded group led by QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith, and RB Bo Jackson. Smith and incoming freshman Chris Henry Jr. could be one of the most exciting tandems to watch this season.

Ohio State will be tested with road games at Texas, Indiana, Iowa, and USC, so it won’t be an easy road to earning a top seed in the College Football Playoff.

2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

AP Ranking: #4

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.35x I No 2.85x)

Early-season losses to Miami and Texas A&M ultimately left Notre Dame out of the CFP in 2025. However, this will be an extremely dangerous group yet again despite losing RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price from their backfield. QB CJ Carr is a Heisman Trophy hopeful and aims to take the next step as an elite passer for the Fighting Irish.

3: Georgia Bulldogs

AP Ranking: #3

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2.27x I No 1.53x)

Since winning the CFP in the 2022 season, Georgia missed the CFP in 2023 and was eliminated in the quarterfinals in each of the past two campaigns. The Bulldogs are favored to win the rugged SEC and will be led by QB Gunner Stockton, who had his first year as the full-time starter in 2025.

Despite surrendering the second-fewest PPG (15.9) in the SEC last year, Georgia failed to get much pressure on the QB. That needs to change if the Bulldogs want to contend for a national title.

4: Oregon Ducks

AP Ranking: #2

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2.08x I No 1.66x)

In a surprising turn of events, QB Dante Moore spurned the NFL Draft and decided to return to Oregon for another season. Oregon made a run at a national title but ultimately fell to the buzzsaw that was Indiana. The Ducks will have revenge on their minds and don’t have a particularly difficult schedule, aside from a road game against Ohio State on November 7.

If the defense can be elite once again, the Ducks may challenge the Buckeyes for the Big Ten title.

5: Texas Longhorns

AP Ranking: #5

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.44x I No 2.22x)

Coming into last season, there was a ton of hype surrounding QB Arch Manning, and he didn’t quite live up to the billing at times. Manning is back for another season, however, and is surrounded by a ton of playmakers.

The Longhorns attacked the transfer portal hard and landed WR Cam Coleman (Auburn) and RBs Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State). The talent is there for Manning to succeed, so the Longhorns have the potential to be one of the nation’s top teams in 2026.

6: Miami Hurricanes

AP Ranking: #7

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.75x I No 1.96x)

The Hurricanes had a sensational season en route to a CFP National Championship Game appearance. After a career year, QB Carson Beck moved on to the NFL and has been replaced by QB Darian Mensah following stops at Tulane and Duke. Mensah led the Blue Devils to an ACC title, and it’s not crazy to think that he could do the same with the Hurricanes.

After all, Miami has a stable of returning of playmakers, including RB Mark Fletcher Jr. and WR Malachi Toney. If the Canes can get pressure on the QB again, another CFP appearance seems possible.

7: Indiana Hoosiers

AP Ranking: #6

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.72x)

Short of winning the CFP in back-to-back seasons, it’s going to be difficult for Indiana to outdo its 2025. HC Curt Cignetti quickly transformed the Hoosiers into a winner, but he'll have to do it with a new group this season. QB Fernando Mendoza, RB Roman Hemby, RB Kaelon Black, and WR Omar Cooper Jr. are just some of the offensive pieces that are gone from last year’s historic group.

TCU QB Josh Hoover has replaced Mendoza via the transfer portal. Hoover definitely has a ton of upside but will need to limit turnovers if the Hoosiers want to make another run. 

8: Texas Tech Raiders

AP Ranking: #12

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.47x I No 2.43x)

Texas Tech appeared to have its star QB in former Cincinnati star Brendan Sorsby before a sports betting scandal and legal battle derailed those hopes. QB Will Hammond, instead, could be ready to go to begin the season after suffering a torn ACL in October.

However, the team also received a commitment from former Boston College and Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos on Wednesday after a Kentucky judge granted him a temporary restraining order allowing him to play a fifth collegiate season. If Hammond can’t stay healthy, having Castellanos as an insurance policy isn’t the worst thing in the world.

9: Texas A&M Aggies

AP Ranking: #3

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2.27x I No 1.53x)

Texas A&M had a perfect season until Texas knocked them out of the SEC title game in its final regular-season game. They still qualified for the CFP, where they lost a defensive battle to Miami. QB Marcel Reed is back at the controls but is going to have to play smarter football this time around.

While losing WR KC Concepcion to the NFL isn’t ideal, the Aggies have wideouts Mario Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman returning. If Reed can eliminate turnovers, Texas A&M could certainly be in the conversation to win the SEC. 

10: LSU Tigers

AP Ranking: #11

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.69x I No 2.08x)

There may not be a more polarizing team in the country than LSU with HC Lane Kiffin at the helm. After an injury-plagued year with QB Garrett Nussmeier, former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt will be leading the Tigers’ offense.

On defense, LSU struggled to just 2.08 sacks per game in 2025 (12th in the SEC). Can transfers Stephiylan Green (Clemson) and Malik Blocton (Auburn) help improve the pass rush?

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11: Ole Miss Rebels

AP Ranking: #9

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.27x I No 1.56x)

As long as the offensive line can hold up, Ole Miss could possess some of the most dangerous playmakers in the entire country. QB Trinidad Chambliss came out of nowhere a season ago when QB Austin Simmons went down and led the Rebels all the way to the CFP semifinals.

RB Kewan Lacy is also back in the fold and is one of the most elusive, patient rushers in the nation. If the offense is just as dynamic, there’s no reason why Ole Miss can’t give Georgia and Texas a run for their money.

12: BYU Cougars

AP Ranking: #14

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.78x)

Texas Tech proved to be a thorn in BYU’s side, as the Red Raiders handed the Cougars their only two losses of the 2025 campaign. QB Bear Bachmeier was a sensation as a true freshman, combining for 26 TDs as a dual-threat signal-caller. If the Cougars’ elite defense shows up again, a Big 12 title may be within reach.

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13: USC Trojans

AP Ranking: #14

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.88x I No 1.81x)

HC Lincoln Riley came to Los Angeles as a marquee hire, but USC has yet to sniff the CFP. Could this be the year that it happens?

The Trojans have a fairly impressive assembly of offensive talent, including QB Jayden Maiava, RB King Miller, RB Waymond Jordan, WR Terrell Anderson (NC State transfer), WR Tanook Hines, and a dependable offensive line.

14: Oklahoma Sooners

AP Ranking: #10

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.63x)

Oklahoma QB John Mateer dealt with a thumb injury throughout 2025 and really wasn’t himself. It also didn’t help that the Sooners averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and no player rushed for 500 yards overall. In the rugged SEC, Oklahoma needs to be able to pound the rock to be a true contender.

15: Alabama Crimson Tide

AP Ranking: #13

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.66x I No 2.08x)

Sophomore Keelon Russell recently beat out Austin Mack in Alabama’s QB competition this summer. Russell’s dual-threat capability could offer a new dimension to the Crimson Tide offense that they haven’t had since Jalen Milroe left Tuscaloosa. As a team, Alabama averaged just 116.2 rushing yards in 2025, which ranked 14th in the SEC. 

16: Penn State Nittany Lions

AP Ranking: #18

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 2.08x I No 1.66x)

It was a season of turmoil for the Nittany Lions after the program fired HC James Franklin midway through the year. Former Iowa State HC Matt Campbell is now the head honcho in Happy Valley, and he brought several of his former players with him, including QB Rocco Becht, RB Carson Hansen, and WR Chase Sowell.

There are question marks on the offensive line with four starters gone from last year’s team.

17: Michigan Wolverines

AP Ranking: #16

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.12x I No 1.53x)

The Bryce Underwood era didn’t get off to the most polarizing start after the No. 1 recruit threw for just 2,428 yards and 11 TDs in his freshman season. However, it’ll be interesting to see if new HC Kyle Whittingham can unlock his potential. If so, it could make Michigan’s offense incredibly dangerous.

18: Utah Utes

AP Ranking: #21

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.56x I No 2.12x)

Utah will be changing regimes after DC Morgan Scalley transitions to HC following the departure of Kyle Whittingham. Electric QB Devon Dampier is back for another season after combining for 34 total TDs.

Utah proved to be a juggernaut on the ground, averaging a Big 12-best 269.8 yards per game. The combination of Dampier and RB Wayshawn Parker may lead the Utes to another promising campaign.

19: Louisville Cardinals

AP Ranking: #24

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.61x)

Louisville has won at least 9 games in the first three years under HC Jeff Brohm but has yet to break through the proverbial glass ceiling. The Cardinals lost QB Miller Moss and will replace him with Lincoln Kienholz, who saw limited playing time in two seasons at Ohio State.

Louisville’s biggest strength is its dynamic RB duo of Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown, who rushed for 1,588 yards and 13 TDs last season.

20: Houston Cougars

AP Ranking: #23

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.25x I No 1.01x)

Houston was tied for third in the Big 12 preseason media poll, but the Cougars could be a dark horse for a conference title. QB Connr Weigman is back to lead the offense after tossing 25 TDs in 2025. The true X-factor could be RB Makhi Hughes (transfer portal), who rushed for 2,779 yards in two seasons at Tulane but struggled to see the field at Oregon.

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21: SMU Mustangs

AP Ranking: #19

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.63x I No 2.17x)

SMU could’ve played for an ACC title in 2025 if they had avoided slipping up against the likes of California and Wake Forest. Turning the page to 2026, QB Kevin Jennings returns and can be downright electric at times. However, Jennings will need to cut down on turnovers.

The Mustangs also will need to be better on the defensive side of the ball after allowing 32.9 PPG, which was the fifth-most in the ACC.

22: Washington Huskies

AP Ranking: #17

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.08x I No 1.63x)

Washington had a great deal of talent to replace this offseason with RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston departing for the NFL. After nearly losing QB Desmond Williams, the talented signal-caller is back in the fold. The team is hoping that the combination of WR Dezmen Roebuck and Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss will help put points on the board.

23: TCU Horned Frogs

AP Ranking: Not Ranked

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.78x I No 1.63x)

TCU lost Josh Hoover in the transfer portal but grabbed Harvard QB Jaden Craig to replace him. Craig led the Ivy League in passing TDs (25), and the Horned Frogs are hoping his skill set will translate seamlessly to HC Sonny Dykes’ pro-style offense. Luckily, TCU’s schedule isn’t extremely challenging to start the season.

24: Iowa Hawkeyes

AP Ranking: #22

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.66x I No 2.08x)

The Iowa QB competition is still ongoing between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski as the regular season draws near. However, Tony Diaz (Texas-Rio Grande Valley) and Evan James (Furman) could be valuable assets in the passing game for whichever QB wins the job. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 9-win season and allowed just 15.2 PPG.

25: Arizona Wildcats

AP Ranking: Not Ranked

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.88x I No 1.85x)

Arizona is another dark horse that could make some noise in the Big 12. QB Noah Fifita could’ve taken his talents to a bigger program if he chose but elected to return for a fifth season with the Wildcats. Fifita threw 29 TDs and took great care of the ball a season ago.

Arizona will be tested in early September against BYU, which may help determine whether the Wildcats are for real.

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Make 2026 College Football Predictions on PrizePicks

Indiana completed a magical 16-0 season and won the College Football Playoff in 2025. Now the slate is wiped clean for a new year as the 2026 campaign is slated to get underway. Teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Oregon will be vying for college football’s ultimate prize over the next five months.

The college football season has nearly arrived, with Week 0 kicking off on Saturday, August 29, and users can make CFB predictions for the upcoming 2026 season.

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Stay locked in on Playbook for daily college football news as the 2026 regular season approaches.