WAY TOO EARLY Top 25
The ESPN "Way-Too-Early" Top 25 for the 2026 college football season highlights a shifting landscape following Indiana’s historic national championship win. The rankings reflect heavy movement through the transfer portal and key returning talent across the major conferences.
Here is a summary you can use for your socials:
The Top 10 Breakdown
1. Indiana: The defending champs take the #1 spot, looking to prove their title wasn't a fluke by signing the top-ranked transfer portal class.
2. Texas: Arch Manning is the headline here. Entering what could be his final season, he’s surrounded by elite portal additions like WR Cam Coleman.
3. Notre Dame: A massive recruiting class and defensive retooling have the Irish in the title conversation.
4. Georgia: Kirby Smart’s squad remains a powerhouse with Gunner Stockton expected to lead the offense and a hungry defense looking to return to its dominant form.
5. Oregon: The Ducks continue to be Big Ten favorites with a roster built to compete for a CFP spot.
6. Ohio State: Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith return, forming one of the most dangerous QB-WR duos in the country.
7. Texas Tech: After a Big 12 title run, the Red Raiders are the "biggest spenders" of the offseason, making them a legitimate dark horse.
8. Miami: The Hurricanes are expected to stay atop the ACC with a high-octane offense.
9. Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin continues to use the portal to keep the Rebels in the SEC hunt.
10. Texas A&M: Rounding out the top 10, the Aggies have the talent to disrupt the SEC hierarchy.
Key Takeaways for 2026:
• The "New" Blue Bloods: Seeing Indiana at #1 and Texas Tech in the Top 10 shows how much the NIL and transfer portal era has leveled the playing field.
• SEC/Big Ten Dominance: Even with surprises at the top, the SEC and Big Ten combined for the vast majority of the Top 25.
• Quarterback Battles: All eyes are on Arch Manning (Texas) and Julian Sayin (Ohio State) as they look to cement their status as the next generation of NFL prospects.
The Full Top 25 List:
1. Indiana
2. Texas
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia
5. Oregon
6. Ohio State
7. Texas Tech
8. Miami
9. Ole Miss
10. Texas A&M
11. BYU
12. Oklahoma
13. USC
14. Louisville
15. LSU
16. Iowa
17. SMU
18. Michigan
19. Washington
20. TCU
21. Alabama
22. Penn State
23. Arizona State
24. Tennessee
25. Utah
Having closely followed college football for years, I've seen how the transfer portal and NIL deals have truly transformed the competitive landscape. Indiana's rise to #1 in the 2026 preseason rankings is a perfect illustration—no longer are traditional powerhouses guaranteed dominance; strategic use of transfers and recruitment have created new contenders. The transfer portal class at Indiana looks particularly impressive, swapping talent actively to stay ahead. This dynamic is echoed with Texas and Arch Manning, who is arguably one of the most anticipated players to watch in his potentially final collegiate season. His combination with WR Cam Coleman, freshly brought in from the portal, boosts Texas' offensive potential tremendously. I've noticed teams like Texas Tech leveraging offseason spending to become dark horses, reflecting a shift where financial investment and aggressive recruiting pay dividends. The dominance of SEC and Big Ten schools remains evident, but the gap is narrowing thanks to better talent distribution across more programs. One thing that excites me is watching quarterback competitions unfold—Arch Manning at Texas and Julian Sayin at Ohio State represent the future NFL stars. Their development and chemistry with receivers like Jeremiah Smith will shape the season's narrative. For anyone passionate about college football, keeping an eye on these rankings before the season opens offers a glimpse into emerging trends and team strategies. I recommend following updates around the transfer portal, as the movement of players increasingly determines team fortunes. This evolving environment ensures every season brings surprises, making college football as thrilling as ever.
