The Associated Press released its 2026 preseason Top 25 on August 17. Ohio State earned the No. 1 ranking while Oregon took No. 2, giving the Big Ten Conference the top two slots for just the second time in history. Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas complete the top‑five group.
Big Ten dominance and conference depth
The Big Ten’s strong showing follows Indiana’s No. 1 finish in the 2025 poll after a perfect 16‑0 season and a national‑championship appearance. This year Ohio State enters the season with the best odds – +600 – to win the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame (+650), Texas (+650), Indiana (+800) and Oregon (+800) round out the top five betting lines.
Voters – more than 60 AP‑affiliated journalists – were instructed to base their votes on head‑to‑head results rather than reputation or regional bias. The poll reflects a broad consensus that the Big Ten will again be a national contender.
Ohio State’s schedule and key players
Ohio State begins its campaign as the top‑ranked team for the ninth time in program history. The Buckeyes face a demanding schedule, highlighted by a road game at Indiana on Oct. 17 and a home matchup against Oregon on Nov. 7. Those contests could shape the Big Ten championship picture and influence CFP seeding.
Quarterback Julian Sayin is praised for his accuracy, while receiver Jeremiah Smith is listed among the nation’s most productive pass‑catchers. The offensive line is described as elite, and a deep transfer pool stands ready to bolster a defense that will replace eight drafted starters.
Missouri’s tough road
Missouri, the only team slated to play five of the preseason top‑10 opponents, has the 12th‑toughest schedule according to ESPN. The Tigers will face Texas A&M, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma in their final seven games.
Teams on the bubble
Clemson fell just outside the poll with 112 points, five fewer than No. 25 Missouri. Florida, Boise State, Arizona, TCU, Navy and South Carolina also missed the cut but remain within striking distance. A Week 1 victory could quickly lift any of these programs back into the rankings.
Texas looks to rebound
After topping last year’s preseason poll, Texas opens the season at No. 5. A Week 2 rematch with Ohio State offers the Longhorns a chance to improve their standing. Quarterback Arch Manning, who struggled in his first start last season, posted 170 yards and two touchdowns in a 14‑7 loss to Ohio State.
ACC outlook
Miami leads the ACC preseason poll at No. 7, earning a first‑place vote after a season that fell just short of a national title. SMU (No. 19) and Louisville (No. 24) follow. The conference’s 2025 preseason rankings also included Clemson (No. 4), Miami (No. 10) and SMU (No. 16).
Clemson’s historic miss
Clemson is unranked in the AP preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2011, finishing just five points behind Missouri. The Tigers are coming off a 7‑6 season, their worst since 2010, and hope to improve under returning offensive coordinator Chad Morris and second‑year defensive coordinator Tom Allen.
Voter trends and conference expectations
First‑place votes went to Ohio State (40), Oregon (14), Notre Dame (6), Indiana (8) and Miami (1). Notably, No. 3 Georgia and No. 5 Texas received no first‑place votes despite being in the top five.
The poll underscores continued confidence in the Big Ten, which now holds the top two preseason spots for the first time since 1961. Voters also note that the SEC, despite fielding nine ranked teams, did not secure a top‑two position.
Coaches weigh in
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the poll is “great for fans” but “internally, they just don’t matter.” He emphasized that the true measure will be performance each Saturday.
Georgia, entering at No. 3 for the eighth consecutive year, returns many starters and aims to build on a recent CFP appearance that ended with a Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
