Preseason Landscape
Texas Tech’s football program has reached a new high in the 2026 AP preseason poll, landing at No. 12, the second‑best ranking in school history. The achievement comes under head coach Joey McGuire, who has guided the Red Raiders to the preseason top 25 in three of the past five seasons.
The Red Raiders open the year at home against Abilene Christian on September 5, before traveling to face No. 23 Houston on September 17, a matchup that pits them against a Cougars team that returns to the rankings after a four‑year absence.
The broader preseason Top 25 reflects a historic shift: Ohio State and Oregon sit at Nos. 1 and 2, marking the first time the Big Ten has held the top two spots in 65 years, while the SEC dominates with nine representatives.
Ohio State’s offense is anchored by Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin, who topped the nation in passing accuracy last season, and freshman phenom Bo Jackson, who already logged a 1,000‑yard rushing campaign as a freshman. The Buckeyes, however, must replace eight defensive starters for the second consecutive year, creating a major question mark for their title aspirations.
Georgia holds the No. 3 spot and is projected to chase a sixth straight conference title game, while Texas A&M climbs to No. 8 for the first time since 2022 and Mississippi sits at No. 9, its second top‑ten preseason ranking in three years. Defending champion Indiana drops to No. 6, its first time outside the top five in three seasons, and Notre Dame earns its highest preseason position since 2006, buoyed by quarterback CJ Carr’s Heisman buzz. Houston, ranked No. 23, marks its third appearance since 1991.