Travel Burdens Shape 2026 Preseason Rankings
The latest preseason Top 25 US LBM Coaches Poll does more than rank teams; it maps out the mileage each program will travel before the season even begins. Using great‑circle distances from home stadiums to away sites, the analysis underscores how geography and conference realignment dictate travel workloads across the country.
USC emerges as the clear outlier, logging a one‑way journey of 8,144 miles. The Trojans’ schedule forces them to cross the continent twice, with road games at Rutgers and Penn State among the farthest destinations on their slate.
Oregon is not far behind, accumulating 7,980 miles of travel. The Ducks will test their endurance with a non‑conference matchup at Oklahoma State and a trip to Southern California to face USC, while also venturing to Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan State within the Midwest.
Big Ten programs dominate the upper end of the travel list. In addition to USC and Oregon, Washington joins the conference’s long‑distance cohort with 4,370 miles, and Ohio State logs 4,419 miles despite its central location. These cross‑country treks contrast sharply with the relatively compact schedules of SEC teams.
SEC programs enjoy the shortest travel burdens. Alabama, the No. 11 team, travels only 1,223 miles, with its longest single leg stretching 374 miles to Kentucky. Georgia and Missouri also report modest mileage, reinforcing the conference’s geographic cohesion.
When averaged across the Top 25, teams travel just under 3,700 miles. Oklahoma, positioned at No. 9, sits closest to this mean with 3,708 miles, illustrating how the poll’s distribution balances traditional powerhouses with outliers shaped by geography.
Scheduling Challenges and Competitive Balance
Extended travel can affect preparation routines, recovery and even recruiting narratives. Coaches must factor in fatigue when planning practices and travel logistics, especially for teams that must repeatedly board flights or buses for games thousands of miles apart. While the SEC’s minimal travel may afford a competitive edge in rest and consistency, the Big Ten’s cross‑country slate could level the playing field by exposing all programs to similar logistical pressures.