The Associated Press released its inaugural AP Top 25 for the 2026 college football season, highlighting a slate of unbeaten programs ready to kick off the year. While the No. 1 slot belongs to Ohio State, the list showcases several Texas schools positioned to dominate early‑season action.
Top‑Five Overview
Ohio State (1‑0) holds the top ranking but does not have a game this weekend, with its next test slated for a home clash against No. 4 Texas on Saturday. Georgia (1‑0) sits at No. 2 and will travel to Western Kentucky, while No. 3 Notre Dame (1‑0) prepares for a matchup with Rice. Texas, currently No. 4 (1‑0), will host Ohio State in what promises to be a marquee showdown. Indiana rounds out the top five, awaiting a home game against Howard.
Texas Representation
Three Texas programs appear in the top 15, underscoring the state’s deep football tradition. Texas (No. 4) and Texas A&M (No. 10) are both unbeaten and set to play Saturday, while Texas Tech (No. 13) travels to Oregon State. The Lone Star State’s teams will be featured in multiple high‑profile contests, offering local fans plenty of reasons to tune in.
Early‑Season Results
Only two teams have already taken the field. No. 7 Miami (2‑0) posted a dominant 77‑7 victory over Florida A&M on Thursday and now travels to Wake Forest. No. 23 Missouri (2‑0) defeated Kansas 38‑21 and will host Troy on September 19. No. 24 Louisville (1‑1) earned a 59‑13 win over Villanova and also faces No. 17 SMU on September 19. No. 25 Virginia (2‑0) beat Norfolk State 59‑3 and travels to West Virginia later this month.
Teams Awaiting Their First Game
The majority of the ranked clubs have not yet played. Schools such as Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, LSU, Mississippi, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas Tech, Southern Cal, BYU, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee, Washington, Utah, Iowa, Houston, and others are all listed at 1‑0 without a recent result, indicating they will open their seasons on Saturday.
Upcoming Saturday Matchups
Saturday promises a flurry of action across the nation. Ohio State travels to Texas, Georgia visits Western Kentucky, Notre Dame meets Rice, Texas hosts Ohio State, Indiana faces Howard, Oregon travels to Oklahoma State, LSU takes on Louisiana Tech, Mississippi meets Charlotte, Texas A&M visits Arizona State, Oklahoma travels to Michigan, Alabama heads to Kentucky, Texas Tech goes to Oregon State, Southern Cal faces Louisiana‑Lafayette, BYU meets Arizona, Penn State visits Temple, SMU takes on UC Davis, Tennessee travels to Georgia Tech, Washington meets Utah State, Utah faces Arkansas, Iowa plays Iowa State, and Houston visits Southern University.
What This Means for Fans
For supporters of Texas football, the early schedule offers several high‑stakes games that could shape conference races and national title conversations. The Ohio State‑Texas showdown, in particular, stands out as a potential early indicator of which program will lead the national conversation.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the AP poll will adjust to reflect wins, losses, and the quality of competition. Fans should watch for shifts in the rankings after the first weekend of play, especially as Texas teams test themselves against traditional powerhouses.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
