Ranking 138 college football teams for 2026, from Indiana and Ohio State to Sac State and UMass

Key Points:

• The 2026 college football season begins with 138 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, including newcomers North Dakota State and Sacramento State, and the Pac-12 relaunching as an eight-team football conference.
• Indiana is ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll, seen as the defending national champions and the team to beat, despite being ranked sixth in the coaches and AP polls.
• Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Texas round out the top six, each with specific strengths and questions about their defenses, offenses, or schedules.
• Several teams have notable coaching changes and player developments, such as LSU under Lane Kiffin, Penn State with new coach Matt Campbell, and Michigan seeking stability under Kyle Whittingham.
• The rankings highlight the challenges and potential for many programs, with some rebuilding and others expected to contend, reflecting the dynamic and subjective nature of preseason college football rankings.