The wait is nearly over.
With the 2026 college football season approaching, the BLITZ Sports Media team has released its preseason Top 25, combining the ballots of eight voters to create a consensus ranking in the same style as the AP Poll. Each ballot awarded 25 points for a first-place vote, 24 for second, and so on through one point for No. 25.
There was plenty of agreement at the very top, but the deeper the poll went, the more opinions began to differ. Ohio State enters the season as the clear No. 1, while Oregon, Georgia, defending national champion Indiana and Notre Dame round out a loaded top five.
Here is the complete BLITZ Sports Media Preseason Top 25.
1. Ohio State
Ohio State begins the year as the clear favorite among BLITZ voters, earning five of the eight first-place votes. The Buckeyes remain one of the most talented rosters in the country and enter another season with national championship expectations.
Anything short of competing deep into the College Football Playoff would feel like a disappointment in Columbus.
2. Oregon
Dan Lanning has established Oregon as one of the premier programs in college football, and the Ducks once again enter the season firmly inside the national championship conversation.
Oregon has accumulated elite talent on both sides of the football and continues to look increasingly comfortable among the sport’s heavyweights. The question is no longer whether Oregon can contend — it is whether the Ducks can finish the job.
3. Georgia
Georgia may not hold the No. 1 spot entering the season, but few programs have earned more benefit of the doubt.
Kirby Smart has built a machine in Athens that reloads rather than rebuilds. The Bulldogs remain one of the deepest and most physically talented teams in the country and should once again be a major factor in both the SEC and national championship races.
4. Indiana
The reigning national champions enter 2026 with expectations that would have seemed almost unimaginable only a few seasons ago.
Curt Cignetti has completely transformed Indiana’s national perception, and the Hoosiers now have to deal with something new: being hunted. With another aggressive offseason and plenty of talent returning or arriving through the portal, Indiana enters the year as a legitimate threat to repeat.
5. Notre Dame
Notre Dame earned one of the eight first-place votes and enters the season with a roster capable of making another serious run at the national championship.
The Fighting Irish have built themselves into one of the country’s most complete programs, particularly because of their ability to win at the line of scrimmage and play high-level defense. The ceiling in South Bend is once again extremely high.
6. Texas
The Arch Manning era remains one of the biggest storylines in college football.
Texas has recruited at an elite level under Steve Sarkisian and possesses the kind of roster capable of winning the SEC. The Longhorns have talent everywhere, but the expectations surrounding this program have reached a point where simply making the Playoff is no longer enough.
Texas is chasing a championship.
7. Miami
After reaching the national championship game last season, Miami enters 2026 with a completely different level of expectation.
Mario Cristobal has assembled one of the most talented rosters in the ACC, particularly in the trenches, and the Hurricanes have shown they can compete on the sport’s biggest stage. The next challenge is proving last season was the beginning of something sustainable.
8. Ole Miss
Ole Miss continues to establish itself as a program capable of competing near the top of the SEC.
The Rebels have embraced modern roster building as aggressively as almost anyone in the country, and that approach has given them one of the highest ceilings in the conference. Their ability to navigate another difficult SEC schedule will determine whether this becomes another Playoff-caliber season.
9. Texas A&M
Texas A&M enters the season as one of the most intriguing teams in the country.
The Aggies have no shortage of talent and have continued to strengthen the roster under Mike Elko. The pieces are there for Texas A&M to make a legitimate SEC run, but consistency will ultimately determine whether the Aggies live up to their preseason ranking.
10. Texas Tech
Few programs have generated more offseason excitement than Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have attacked the transfer portal and NIL era aggressively, building a roster that looks capable of competing for the Big 12 championship. With major investments throughout the roster and Brendan Sorsby leading the offense, the pressure is now on Texas Tech to turn offseason momentum into wins.
11. LSU
There is never a shortage of talent in Baton Rouge.
LSU once again enters the year with enough athleticism to compete with virtually anyone on its schedule. The Tigers sit just outside the preseason top 10, but the difference between a good season and a Playoff run will come down to whether they can consistently play complementary football against the SEC’s best.
12. Oklahoma
Oklahoma enters the year as one of the more interesting teams in the SEC.
The Sooners showed significant defensive improvement and have continued to build a roster capable of competing in the conference. If the offense can provide enough consistency, Oklahoma has the defense and overall talent to outperform this ranking.
13. Alabama
Seeing Alabama outside the preseason top 10 still feels unusual, but it speaks more to the depth of the teams ahead of the Crimson Tide than a lack of talent in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama remains one of college football’s most talented programs. The question is whether that talent can consistently translate into championship-level football in an increasingly difficult SEC.
14. USC
USC enters a pivotal season with plenty of upside.
The Trojans have continued to build toward becoming a more complete football team rather than relying exclusively on offensive firepower. If the physical development of the roster continues, USC has the potential to emerge as one of the Big Ten’s biggest risers.
15. Michigan
Michigan remains one of the most physical programs in college football.
The Wolverines’ identity still revolves around defense, line play and controlling games at the point of attack. The biggest question is whether Michigan can generate enough explosive offense to climb from the middle of the preseason Top 25 back into serious Big Ten contention.
16. BYU
BYU enters 2026 as one of the Big 12’s most interesting contenders.
The Cougars have proven capable of competing near the top of the conference and possess the toughness necessary to survive a wide-open Big 12 race. BYU may not receive the same national attention as some of the teams above it, but this is a program nobody should overlook.
T-17. Washington
Washington continues to rebuild its national profile and enters the season with legitimate Big Ten upside.
The Huskies have enough talent to make life difficult for anyone on their schedule, and another step forward could put them squarely into the conference championship conversation. Washington may be one of the more dangerous teams outside the top 15.
T-17. Tennessee
Tennessee shares the No. 17 spot after receiving the exact same number of points as Washington.
Josh Heupel’s program continues to possess one of the SEC’s highest offensive ceilings, and the Volunteers have recruited well enough to remain relevant in the conference race. How quickly the newest pieces come together will determine whether Tennessee can push back toward the Playoff.
19. SMU
SMU’s transition into the ACC has done little to slow the program’s momentum.
The Mustangs have continued to build a talented roster and have proven capable of competing with established Power Four programs. SMU enters the season as a dangerous ACC contender with the potential to climb considerably higher.
20. Penn State
Penn State enters a new era under Matt Campbell after one of the most significant coaching changes of the offseason.
There is still plenty of talent in State College, but the Nittany Lions now have to adjust to new systems and a new program identity. The upside is significant, but the transition creates more preseason uncertainty than usual.
21. Iowa
Iowa does not need to reinvent itself to remain dangerous.
The Hawkeyes continue to win through defense, special teams and physical football, which gives them a high floor every season. Any meaningful improvement offensively could quickly make Iowa one of the Big Ten’s toughest teams to deal with.
22. Utah
Utah enters a new era after Kyle Whittingham’s departure, creating one of the more fascinating transitions in the Big 12.
The Utes still possess the physical culture that made them one of the country’s most consistent programs. How well that identity carries over under new leadership will determine whether Utah remains a factor near the top of the conference.
23. Louisville
Louisville continues to be one of the ACC’s most intriguing programs under Jeff Brohm.
The Cardinals have been aggressive in the portal and have enough offensive talent to challenge almost anyone in the league. Their ceiling could be significantly higher than No. 23 if the new pieces click quickly.
24. Houston
Houston earns a preseason ranking after showing considerable progress as a Big 12 program.
The Cougars have continued to upgrade their talent level and look increasingly capable of competing week to week in the conference. Houston is still something of a wildcard, but its trajectory has clearly caught the attention of BLITZ voters.
25. Missouri
Missouri grabs the final spot in the preseason poll.
The Tigers have established themselves as a competitive SEC program and continue to recruit at a level that gives them the opportunity to cause problems throughout the season. They enter 2026 with less preseason hype than some conference rivals, but remain a team capable of outperforming expectations.
Others Receiving Votes
Several teams narrowly missed the initial Top 25.
Florida received 11 points, making the Gators the first team outside the rankings. Clemson followed with seven, while Boise State and TCU each received two votes worth of points. Arizona and Western Michigan each received one point.
That group reinforces just how much disagreement exists once you move beyond the top portion of the poll. Florida and Clemson in particular have enough talent to move into the rankings immediately once games begin.
