Poll Highlights
The 2026 AFCA preseason coaches poll was released this week, positioning Ohio State at the summit of the rankings.
The Buckeyes earned 38 of the 72 first‑place votes, marking their first No. 1 ranking since 2015 and signaling a strong expectation for the upcoming campaign.
Behind Ohio State, Oregon secured the second spot, followed by Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame in the top five, while Indiana, the defending national champion, climbed to sixth.
Conference-wise, the Big Ten boasts eight teams inside the top 25, whereas the SEC commands nine slots, including half of the top ten positions, underscoring the traditional power balance.
Notable shifts include Clemson’s descent to No. 20, their lowest preseason placement since 2011, and the exits of Penn State’s James Franklin and LSU’s Brian Kelly, replaced by Matt Campbell and Kyle Whittingham respectively.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s new quarterback Josh Hoover is expected to fill the void left by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, who was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, adding intrigue to the Hoosiers’ offense.
Other top‑ten contenders such as Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss round out the SEC presence, while Michigan, under new leadership, sits at No. 16, and Penn State at No. 17.
The poll also reflects a broader trend of teams that lost six games last season — Penn State, Clemson and LSU — facing lower rankings, setting the stage for a competitive year.