SP+ Releases Final 2026 Projections, Ranking Ohio State No. 1 and SEC Strongest
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 13
SP+ Releases Final 2026 Projections, Ranking Ohio State No. 1 and SEC Strongest
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 13
Summary
Ohio State opened No. 1 in SP+'s final 2026 preseason rankings, ahead of Oregon, Indiana, Georgia and Texas, while Texas Tech landed eighth as the top Big 12 team.
The model also tagged the SEC as the strongest conference with a 15.0 average rating, ahead of the Big Ten at 12.1, with Miami projected atop the ACC and Boise State leading the Pac-12.
Week 2's marquee projection has Ohio State favored by 7.5 at Texas, a top-five showdown made more consequential by SP+'s schedule rankings placing Texas No. 1 nationally and Ohio State No. 3.
SP+ highlighted major year-over-year swings, projecting Oklahoma State up 22.0 points after a coaching change, while North Texas fell 25.4 and Utah dropped 12.4 among Power 4 teams.
The release argues preseason models remain useful despite criticism because prior performance, returning production and recruiting still predict outcomes; last year's transfer-driven returning production average fell to 51.3% nationally.