5 most overrated teams in 2026 college football preseason rankings
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- Penn State, ranked third in last season's US LBM Coaches Poll, faced a disappointing 7-6 record, a mid-season coaching change, and had only eight players drafted into the NFL, signaling a challenging 2026 season ahead.
- Alabama lost 15 starters, including key first-round NFL Draft picks, and faces a tough schedule with five critical games in six weeks, making a College Football Playoff return unlikely despite an 11th preseason ranking.
- LSU, under new coach Lane Kiffin, is rebuilding a 7-6 team with a transfer quarterback who has been sidelined due to injury and is dealing with off-field controversies, complicating their prospects for 2026.
- Michigan, ranked 16th, is struggling with the aftermath of scandals and a largely new coaching staff, returning only three defensive starters and facing a challenging schedule including top opponents like Ohio State and Indiana.
- Penn State and Clemson both start the 2026 season overrated in the rankings, with Penn State returning only four starters and adjusting to a new coach, while Clemson's outlook remains uncertain after a similar 7-6 finish last season.
