Early Top 25 college football rankings for 2026 season: Can Indiana repeat? Who’s No. 1?
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The college football landscape is rapidly changing due to the transfer portal and NIL era, making team predictions difficult; Penn State, previously ranked No. 1, now faces major roster turnover and a new coach.
- Oregon is the projected No. 1 team for the upcoming season, boosted by key returnees like QB Dante Moore and strong transfers, aiming for a fourth consecutive Big Ten national championship.
- Other top teams include Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, Texas, and Indiana, each with a mix of returning talent and impactful transfers, though many face challenges replacing NFL-bound players.
- Programs like Texas Tech, Texas A&M, USC, and LSU have aggressively used the transfer portal to rebuild, adding experienced players to address weaknesses and
