The 2026 college football preseason rankings, released by USA TODAY Sports, span an unprecedented 138 teams, but the conversation immediately centers on the top spot. Notre Dame has been placed at No. 1, marking the Irish’s highest preseason position in decades and fueling optimism that the program could finally capture its first national championship since 1988.
The upper echelon of the list is dominated by power‑conference teams, with the Big Ten and the SEC together accounting for fifteen of the top twenty‑five slots. Ohio State, Texas, Oregon and Indiana round out the top five behind the Irish, while the ACC contributes three teams — Miami, SMU and Clemson — and the Big 12 adds five, including Texas Tech, BYU, Houston, Arizona and Utah.
Among the Group of Six, Boise State stands out as the lone representative in the top twenty‑five, earning the preseason favorite tag in the Pac‑12 after a strong finish last season. The Broncos’ rise underscores the growing competitiveness of programs outside the traditional power structure.
North Carolina’s placement at No. 94 reflects a challenging outlook for Bill Belichick’s second year as head coach, a storyline that adds intrigue to the Tar Heels’ schedule. Meanwhile, new entrants from the Mountain West and Mid‑American conferences, such as North Dakota State and Sacramento State, round out the expanded field.
Implications for the Upcoming Season
The breadth of the rankings — now covering 138 programs — signals a broader appetite for college football coverage, from traditional powerhouses to emerging teams in lesser‑known conferences. As the season unfolds, the early rankings will serve as a barometer for playoff aspirations, coaching impacts and the ever‑evolving landscape of recruiting and transfers.