USA Today ranks Top 25 college football programs ahead of 2026 season

The 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. With that in mind, USA Today recently released their updated rankings of the top 25 college football programs entering the 2026 campaign. The list takes into account a myriad of factors, like each program’s sustained success, tradition and current standing in the sport. Several familiar powers headline the rankings, while a few rising programs continue their climb after strong recent seasons. $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage 1. Ohio State USA Today placed Ohio State atop its preseason program rankings entering the 2026 season. The Buckeyes have been one of the nation’s most consistent programs over the past two decades, regularly competing for conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. Ryan Day added another national championship to the program’s trophy case, further cementing Ohio State’s place among college football’s elite. With sustained success on and off the field, the Buckeyes remain the standard entering 2026. 2. Alabama Alabama once again finds itself near the top of the rankings after decades of sustained excellence. The Crimson Tide’s championship tradition and passionate fan base continue to make the program one of the biggest brands in sports. Even after the Nick Saban era, expectations remain as high as ever in Tuscaloosa. USA Today believes Alabama remains one of college football’s premier programs. 3. Georgia Georgia has firmly established itself among the sport’s blue bloods under Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have continued to recruit at an elite level while competing for SEC and national championships on a yearly basis. Recent success has elevated Georgia into the upper tier of college football programs. The Bulldogs enter another season expecting to contend for a title. 4. Notre Dame Notre Dame continues to benefit from one of the richest traditions in college football history. The Fighting Irish have returned to national prominence under Marcus Freeman after remaining competitive throughout the Brian Kelly era. Notre Dame continues to recruit well and consistently compete for Playoff spots. USA Today kept the Irish among the nation’s top programs entering 2026. 5. Texas Texas rounds out the top five after reestablishing itself as a national contender under Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns combine one of the nation’s strongest recruiting bases with significant resources in the NIL era. Their return to championship contention has restored expectations in Austin. Texas continues to be viewed as one of the sport’s flagship programs. 6. LSU LSU remains one of the nation’s premier destinations thanks to its championship pedigree and elite in-state recruiting base. The Tigers have won multiple national championships this century under different head coaches, highlighting the program’s consistent strength. Lane Kiffin now looks to add to that tradition after taking over in Baton Rouge. USA Today ranked LSU sixth entering the season. 7. Michigan Michigan remains among college football’s top brands following its national championship run earlier this decade. The Wolverines continue to recruit well while competing for Big Ten championships on an annual basis. Their tradition, fan support and historic success keep the program firmly in the national spotlight. Michigan once again finds itself inside the top 10. 8. Oklahoma Oklahoma continues to rank among the nation’s elite despite adjusting to life in the SEC. The Sooners have long been one of college football’s winningest programs and continue to recruit at a high level. Championship expectations remain unchanged in Norman regardless of conference affiliation. USA Today placed Oklahoma eighth overall. 9. Miami Miami has climbed back into the national conversation following its recent resurgence. Mario Cristobal has helped elevate the Hurricanes into a College Football Playoff contender while restoring excitement around the program. The Hurricanes continue to benefit from one of the country’s most talent-rich recruiting regions. Their upward trajectory earned them a spot inside the top 10. 10. USC USC rounds out the top 10 despite facing challenges during its transition into the Big Ten. The Trojans remain one of college football’s most recognizable brands with a long history of national success. A strong recruiting foundation has optimism building once again in Los Angeles. USA Today believes USC still belongs among the nation’s premier programs heading into 2026. Nos. 11-25 11. Oregon12. Penn State13. Clemson14. Florida15. Texas A&M16. Tennessee17. Indiana18. Florida State19. BYU20. Nebraska21. Auburn22. Washington23. Iowa24. Ole Miss25. SMU