Ohio State Projected No. 1 in 2026 AP Top 25 as Oregon, Texas Follow
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 16
Ohio State Projected No. 1 in 2026 AP Top 25 as Oregon, Texas Follow
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 16
Summary
Monday’s preseason AP Top 25 is projected to open with Ohio State at No. 1, ahead of Oregon, Texas, Indiana and Notre Dame in the top five.
61 of 66 first-place votes went to Ohio State before last postseason, and the Buckeyes return coach Ryan Day, quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith despite two December losses.
Oregon and Texas are forecast at No. 2 and No. 3, while Indiana’s rise to No. 4 reflects strong offseason support after it drew 14 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll.
The next tier is projected to include Georgia at No. 6, Miami at No. 7 and a crowded No. 8-13 range led by Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, LSU and Alabama.
The AP poll, first issued in 1936 and due around noon ET Monday, remains a key benchmark for college football even though playoff rankings now decide the national title bracket.