ESPN’s preseason Football Power Index (FPI) for the 2026 college football season has already started to shape expectations, ranking Ohio State at the very top with an FPI of 28.7 and a projected record of 10.2‑2.4.
Conference Power Dynamics
The index shows the SEC and Big Ten each occupying multiple spots in the top ten, underscoring the depth of talent and schedule strength in those conferences.
Ohio State’s lead is reinforced by its recent dominance in the AP poll, having held the No. 1 position for all but one week of the 2025 regular season, and it will face six ranked opponents, including Texas, Notre Dame and Oregon.
Texas A&M follows in second place with an FPI of 26.9 and a projected 9.8‑2.7 record, banking on portal additions and a confident quarterback to improve its standing.
Notre Dame is projected to win the second‑most games in the nation, with an FPI of 25.9 and a 10.7‑1.3 record, and its schedule appears favorable, highlighted by matchups against BYU and Miami that could determine playoff seeding.
Other programs generating buzz include Oregon State, still nursing the sting of a 2025 playoff loss, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Alabama, LSU and Texas Tech, each carrying distinct storylines ranging from defensive strengths to offensive questions.
The concentration of top‑ranked teams in the SEC and Big Ten not only reflects recruiting pipelines but also sets up a slate of high‑stakes games that could reshape the playoff picture as the season unfolds.