Ohio State Tops ESPN's 2026 Preseason Top 25 as Georgia, Notre Dame Follow
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 21
Ohio State Tops ESPN's 2026 Preseason Top 25 as Georgia, Notre Dame Follow
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 21
Summary
Ohio State opens at No. 1 in ESPN's 2026 preseason power rankings, ahead of No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 4 Oregon and No. 5 Texas.
12-2 Buckeyes return quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and receiver Jeremiah Smith, but Ryan Day must replace eight defensive starters while navigating road trips to Texas, Iowa, Indiana and USC.
Georgia enters after back-to-back SEC titles but quarterfinal CFP exits, with pass rush a key question after the Bulldogs ranked last in the SEC with 20 sacks in 2025.
Aug. 29 marks the season kickoff when North Carolina faces TCU in Dublin, ending an offseason dominated by congressional hearings, eligibility lawsuits and a gambling scandal.