Ohio State, Oregon top 2026 preseason coaches poll
Ohio State opens the 2026 season at No. 1 in the AFCA coaches poll, with Oregon at No. 2, after the Buckeyes earned 38 of 72 first-place votes—their first preseason No. 1 since 2015. Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame round out the top five, while defending champion Indiana starts at No. 6.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio State leads the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll with 38 first-place votes; Oregon is No. 2.
- Defending national champion Indiana sits at No. 6 despite 14 first-place votes, second only to the Buckeyes.
- The SEC placed nine teams in the Top 25 and half of the top 10; the Big Ten has eight ranked teams.
- No Group of Six teams appear in the preseason poll; the ACC has just three ranked squads.
- BYU (15), Utah (21), Texas Tech (12) and Houston (24) give the Big 12 four ranked teams.
The first US LBM Coaches Poll of 2026 is out, and it frames a familiar power struggle between the Big Ten and SEC as college football gears up for kickoff. Fans tracking rankings and game windows can follow coverage alerts via BlasterPost Streaming & TV Alerts.
Who sits atop the coaches poll right now?
According to ESPN, the Buckeyes received 38 of 72 first-place votes. It is Ohio State's first preseason No. 1 in the coaches poll since 2015.
Quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith headline a roster coaches clearly trust. Oregon follows at No. 2 with six first-place votes, then Georgia (No. 3, seven first-place votes), Texas (No. 4, two) and Notre Dame (No. 5, five).
Miami, last season's national runner-up after a 27-21 title-game loss to Indiana, opens at No. 7. Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss complete the top 10—all from the SEC.
Why is Indiana ranked only No. 6 after a title?
Indiana went 16-0 last season and won its first national championship, yet coaches slotted the Hoosiers sixth overall. They still drew 14 first-place votes—most behind Ohio State—and sit third among Big Ten teams behind Ohio State and Oregon.
Yahoo Sports notes voters remain skeptical of a program that went 27-2 over two seasons even as Indiana brings in former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to replace Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders' No. 1 NFL draft pick. Coach Curt Cignetti has called the Big Ten the best league in football and a playoff proving ground.
Which conferences and programs won or lost with voters?
The Big Ten and SEC dominate: Yahoo reports they combine for the top four, five of the top six, nine of the top 11, and 17 teams overall. ESPN counted nine SEC teams and eight Big Ten teams in the poll, plus four from the Big 12 and three from the ACC.
LSU jumps to No. 13—the highest preseason spot among six teams that finished last season unranked—behind new coach Lane Kiffin and a strong transfer haul. Miami's No. 7 mark is its highest preseason ranking since 2004.
Clemson falls to No. 23, its lowest preseason ranking since 2011. No Group of Six team cracked the Top 25 for the second time in three years. In the Big 12, Texas Tech is No. 12, BYU No. 15, Utah No. 21 and Houston No. 24.
Michigan starts 16th under new coach Kyle Whittingham, and Penn State is 17th with Matt Campbell. Preseason polls often reshuffle: 11 teams ranked last preseason missed the final coaches poll.