by Wayne Root
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026The 2026 College Football season is quickly approaching, and expectations are beginning to take shape across the country. Coaching changes, along with the transfer portal and NIL continue to reshape the sport. Still, a handful of programs remain at the top of the national conversation year after year.
Based on past results of formulating an early college football poll, my best prediction is that this poll will flip-flop all season long.
Which team will be last years Indiana University?
1. Ohio State
Powered by the elite offensive trio of QB Julian Sayin, RB Bo Jackson, and WR Jeremiah Smith. There is a new offensive coordinator as Arthur Smith will likely run a more pro-style offense for Sayin. I think the best part about Ohio State, though, is that four of its offensive linemen and running back Bo Jackson returned. So, this offense could be as good as any in college football.
2. Georgia
The SEC still goes through Athens. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton is back, along with several other key players like center Drew Bobo and safety K.J. Bolden. Kirby Smart recruits his butt off and in those three seasons, the Bulldogs have gone 36-6. They've also won two SEC titles in that stretch. Sure, they haven't won a playoff game in that time, but they still have players.
3. Oregon
Locked in near the top after QB Dante Moore bypassed the NFL Draft, returning with a highly touted receiving corps. When you look at the teams that have won the last three national championships, Oregon fits the blueprint those teams followed to a tee.
4. Texas
Expected to be a major playoff threat with QB Arch Manning leading the charge. Arch Manning is obviously the headliner as he enters Year 2 as the Longhorns' starting quarterback. I think he'll play really well because his play late in the season suggests that. He finished with 20 total touchdowns and just two turnovers in his final six games.
5. Penn State
This one is a lot about the schedule. There are some teams ranked behind Penn State who have better rosters, but if you look at the schedule, the Nittany Lions should be a top-15 team. Now with Matt Campbell as its head coach, Penn State has essentially become East Iowa State. He almost brought the entire Iowa State roster with him. Campbell's going to be charged with winning big games. However, here's the thing: they don't have a ton of big games. The schedule falls in their favor, and they're going to have the most experienced quarterback in the country with Rocco Becht. I think they can make a run at 10 wins.
6. Notre Dame
Boasting a loaded roster with nine of the defense's top ten tacklers returning from the previous season.This will be an offense more centered around quarterback CJ Carr, with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price going to the NFL.
7. Oklahoma
Head coach Brent Venables has the Oklahoma defense exactly where he wants it. He took over defensive playcalling duties last season for the Sooners and it worked, ranking top 10 in the country. The Sooners have four returning All-SEC players on defense, including defensive tackle David Stone, who is already generating early first-round buzz for the 2027 draft. We all know quarterback John Mateer can be really good when he's healthy as well. He was the Heisman front-runner before that injury to his hand. They just need to run the ball a bit better.
8. Alabama
Alabama has slowly been slipping, and we've seen that with its play on the field. Head coach Kalen DeBoer just got a contract extension, which was a bit interesting, as he heads into Year 3 at Tuscaloosa. At quarterback, the Crimson Tide have two very talented, but very inexperienced options in Austin Mack (last year's backup) and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell (a former five-star recruit). DeBoer has said he won't name a starter until the fall. Ultimately, this team’s identity still hinges on the defense and run game — areas that were once the program’s foundation under Nick Saban.
9. USC
USC fixed the line of scrimmage. Lincoln Riley knew at some point they needed to improve in the trenches, and they brought back their entire starting offensive line. That was an offensive line that helped USC's run-game improve in 2025. Riley's teams have also been really good when they can run the ball. Running back Waymond Jordan was spectacular last season before he got hurt. There are some questions at wide receiver, but Riley's offenses always develop pass-catchers.
10. LSU
This is the top team of my second tier, and this is a major nod to Lane Kiffin. Sure, the way he left Ole Miss was a disaster, but Kiffin can coach. LSU’s offense has the potential to be among the best in the country after an aggressive overhaul in the transfer portal. The Tigers brought in roughly 40 transfers, highlighted by quarterback Sam Leavitt.
11. Indiana
The big portal addition was ex-TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. All eyes will be on him as he replaces Fernando Mendoza. He's almost a Mendoza clone, though, as Hoover was only second to Mendoza for the most run-pass option throws in college football last season. Indiana also got former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, who will line up on the outside with Charlie Becker. The offensive line and defensive should be very good, too.
12. Ole Miss
Ole Miss had a tremendous College Football Playoff run, but the Rebels lost too much from that roster for me to put them in the top 10. QB Trinidad Chambliss was amazing, leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinal. If you have Chambliss, you're going to have a chance in any game. Kewan Lacy is also back at running back after rushing for 1,567 yards as a sophomore. I thought head coach Pete Golding did a good job in the CFP and hitting the portal hard to strengthen the defense.
Based on past results of formulating an early college football poll, my best prediction is that this poll will flip-flop all season long.
Which team will be last years Indiana University?
1. Ohio State
Powered by the elite offensive trio of QB Julian Sayin, RB Bo Jackson, and WR Jeremiah Smith. There is a new offensive coordinator as Arthur Smith will likely run a more pro-style offense for Sayin. I think the best part about Ohio State, though, is that four of its offensive linemen and running back Bo Jackson returned. So, this offense could be as good as any in college football.
2. Georgia
The SEC still goes through Athens. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton is back, along with several other key players like center Drew Bobo and safety K.J. Bolden. Kirby Smart recruits his butt off and in those three seasons, the Bulldogs have gone 36-6. They've also won two SEC titles in that stretch. Sure, they haven't won a playoff game in that time, but they still have players.
3. Oregon
Locked in near the top after QB Dante Moore bypassed the NFL Draft, returning with a highly touted receiving corps. When you look at the teams that have won the last three national championships, Oregon fits the blueprint those teams followed to a tee.
4. Texas
Expected to be a major playoff threat with QB Arch Manning leading the charge. Arch Manning is obviously the headliner as he enters Year 2 as the Longhorns' starting quarterback. I think he'll play really well because his play late in the season suggests that. He finished with 20 total touchdowns and just two turnovers in his final six games.
5. Penn State
This one is a lot about the schedule. There are some teams ranked behind Penn State who have better rosters, but if you look at the schedule, the Nittany Lions should be a top-15 team. Now with Matt Campbell as its head coach, Penn State has essentially become East Iowa State. He almost brought the entire Iowa State roster with him. Campbell's going to be charged with winning big games. However, here's the thing: they don't have a ton of big games. The schedule falls in their favor, and they're going to have the most experienced quarterback in the country with Rocco Becht. I think they can make a run at 10 wins.
6. Notre Dame
Boasting a loaded roster with nine of the defense's top ten tacklers returning from the previous season.This will be an offense more centered around quarterback CJ Carr, with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price going to the NFL.
7. Oklahoma
Head coach Brent Venables has the Oklahoma defense exactly where he wants it. He took over defensive playcalling duties last season for the Sooners and it worked, ranking top 10 in the country. The Sooners have four returning All-SEC players on defense, including defensive tackle David Stone, who is already generating early first-round buzz for the 2027 draft. We all know quarterback John Mateer can be really good when he's healthy as well. He was the Heisman front-runner before that injury to his hand. They just need to run the ball a bit better.
8. Alabama
Alabama has slowly been slipping, and we've seen that with its play on the field. Head coach Kalen DeBoer just got a contract extension, which was a bit interesting, as he heads into Year 3 at Tuscaloosa. At quarterback, the Crimson Tide have two very talented, but very inexperienced options in Austin Mack (last year's backup) and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell (a former five-star recruit). DeBoer has said he won't name a starter until the fall. Ultimately, this team’s identity still hinges on the defense and run game — areas that were once the program’s foundation under Nick Saban.
9. USC
USC fixed the line of scrimmage. Lincoln Riley knew at some point they needed to improve in the trenches, and they brought back their entire starting offensive line. That was an offensive line that helped USC's run-game improve in 2025. Riley's teams have also been really good when they can run the ball. Running back Waymond Jordan was spectacular last season before he got hurt. There are some questions at wide receiver, but Riley's offenses always develop pass-catchers.
10. LSU
This is the top team of my second tier, and this is a major nod to Lane Kiffin. Sure, the way he left Ole Miss was a disaster, but Kiffin can coach. LSU’s offense has the potential to be among the best in the country after an aggressive overhaul in the transfer portal. The Tigers brought in roughly 40 transfers, highlighted by quarterback Sam Leavitt.
11. Indiana
The big portal addition was ex-TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. All eyes will be on him as he replaces Fernando Mendoza. He's almost a Mendoza clone, though, as Hoover was only second to Mendoza for the most run-pass option throws in college football last season. Indiana also got former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, who will line up on the outside with Charlie Becker. The offensive line and defensive should be very good, too.
12. Ole Miss
Ole Miss had a tremendous College Football Playoff run, but the Rebels lost too much from that roster for me to put them in the top 10. QB Trinidad Chambliss was amazing, leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinal. If you have Chambliss, you're going to have a chance in any game. Kewan Lacy is also back at running back after rushing for 1,567 yards as a sophomore. I thought head coach Pete Golding did a good job in the CFP and hitting the portal hard to strengthen the defense.
