COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 1: Oregon
Oregon has been in the mix the past few years are are loaded.
Quarterback Dante Moore is back after throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 TDs in his first year as starter. Sophomore running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. rushed for 1,323 yards (7.0 per carry) and 20 TDs between them, and sophomore receivers Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan caught 72 balls for 1,054 yards and six scores. Add in Evan Stewart, transfer running back Simeon Price and receiver Iverson Hooks along with receivers Jalen Lott, Kendre Harrison, Messiah Hampton, the Ducks are in position to go all the way.
On defense the Ducks return most of last season's lineup: tackles A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander, outside linebackers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, inside linebacker Jerry Mixon and tackle transfers D'Antre Robinson and Jerome Simmons.
Schedule Back to back games against Ohio State and Michigan are the Ducks only scheduling issue.

No. 2: Georgia
Georgia has been so close in recent seasons but have fallen short in late season big games. The Dawgs have the talent to go a long way, barring injury or upsets.
Georgia returns running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, along with senior returnee London Humphreys and seven linemen with starting experience.
Additions this season include Isiah Canion from Georgia Tech and running back Dante Dowdell from Kentucky.
Look for the same approach this season: pass when it is the right time pass, a stong defense and running game.
Schedule The Georgia schedule includes Oklahoma and Alabama, and their end of season rival Georgia Tech.

No. 3: Ohio State
The Buckeyes were rolling through the regular season last yearm then ran out of gas when it mattered most. Can Ohio State put together a full season in 2026? Julian Sayin is back to lead on offense, along with sophomore running back Bo Jackson, guard Luke Montgomery, tackle Austin Siereveld, and receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Additions this season include receivers Devin McCuin from UTSA, Kyle Parker from LSU, tight ends Hunter Welcing from Northwestern, and Mason Williams from Ohio. Five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. may get playing time as well.
The Ohio State defense has only two returning starters: safety Jaylen McClain and corner Jermaine Mathews Jr. Expect playing time for newcomers Zion Grady, linebacker Riley Pettijohn, corner Devin Sanchez and safety Leroy Roker III.
Schedule Their schedule is one of the toughest, with Texas in week 2, road tilts with Indiana, USC, and Iowa, and host Oregon in November.

No. 4: Notre Dame
Notre Dame has the talent on offense to go far this year. The Irish have quarterback CJ Carr, receiver Jordan Faison, and Jaden Greathouse back on offense.
The Irish defense must improve. Average a season ago, Notre Dame needs more out of edge men Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Boubacar Traore. Corners Leonard Moore and Christian Gray combined for seven interceptions and 20 pass breakups despite each missing a couple of games.
Additions this season include Ohio State receivers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, pass rushers Bryce Young and Keon Keeley from Alabama, tackle Francis Brewu from Pitt, and Purdue's Spencer Porath.
Schedule Key matchups this season: week 7 at BYU and week 10 versus Miami at home.

No. 5: Alabama
Alabama has a decision to make at QB: Keelon Russell or Austin Mack. The Tide have a lot of young talent ready to make their mark: running back Ezavier Crowell, receivers Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, and Cederian Morgan, tight end Kaleb Edwards, linemen Michael Carroll, William Sanders, and Jackson Lloyd.
Over on defense the Tide return corners Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr., nickel Red Morgan, safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb, and edge Yhonzae Pierre. Question marks on D: who starts at linebacker and how well the front line holds up, where four of last year's top five are gone. Tackle Edric Hill returns, and London Simmons or Jeremiah Beaman may see playing time.
Additions this season include receiver Noah Rogers from NC State, linebacker Caleb Woodson from Virginia Tech, Devan Thompkins from USC, Kedrick Bingley-Jones from Mississippi State, and Terrance Green from Oregon.
Schedule: a four game stretch in the middle of the season (Georgia, Tennesse, Texas A&M, LSU) is the only hurdle that Alabama faces.

No. 6: Indiana
Cignetti has another solid team this season, but must replace their Heisman winning QB Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers return receiver Charlie Becker, and have a solid front line.
The Indiana defense return All-American left tackle Carter Smith, guards Bray Lynch and Drew Evans, defensive tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino and defensive end Daniel Ndukwe.
Additions this season include quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU, receiver Nick Marsh from Michigan State, Joe Hjelle from Tulsa, guard Joe Brunner from Wisconsin, Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi from Kansas State, and Notre Dame's Josh Burnham.
Schedule: It gets tough midseason with Ohio State and Michigan back to back, and dates with USC and Washington await with Purdue at the end of the season.

No. 7 Mississippi
Ole Miss returns quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, defensive tackle Will Echoles, linebacker Suntarine Perkins, and Kam Franklin.
Mississippi landed a lot of talent from other programs to build upon. New faces this season: Johntay Cook, Horatio Fields, Darrell Gill Jr. from Syracuse, Isaiah Spencer from Virginia Tech, Cameron Miller from Kentucky, Jonathan Maldonado from Nevada, Michai Boireau from Florida, Keaton Thomas from Baylor, Luke Ferrelli from Cal, Joenel Aguero from Georgia, Edwin Joseph from Florida State, and Jehiem Oatis.
Schedule: Back to back dates with Georgia and Oklahoma loom late in the season, and Ole Miss plays at Texas.

No. 8: Miami
Miami turns to former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah this fall. Mark Fletcher Jr., CharMar Brown and Girard Pringle Jr., and Malachi Toney are all back. The offensive front line is young but capable led by guards Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola.
Six of the eight defensive backs who logged more than 200 snaps last year are back, including corners Xavier Lucas, Ethan O'Connor, and safety Bryce Fitzgerald. Their d-line is also young but capable with tackles Justin Scott, Ahmad Moten Sr. and Armondo Blount expected to start. Not to be overlooked is junior Marquise Lightfoot.
New faces that the Cane's gained: Cooper Barkate from Duke, Cam Vaughn from West Virginia, Jamal Meriweather from Georgia, Damon Wilson II from Missouri, safety Omar Thornton from Boston College, and Vandrevius Jacobs from South Carolina.
Schedule: A date with Notre Dame in November and early season tilts with Wake Forest, Clemson and Florida State highlight their schedule.

No. 9 Texas
The Longhorns will go with Arch Manning at quarterback again this fall.
Returning starters include Ryan Wingo Emmett Mosley V, Colin Simmons, safety Jelani McDonald and nickel Graceson Littleton. Kaliq Lockett and Jermaine Bishop Jr. may see playing time this year.
Additions from the portal: running backs Raleek Brown from Arizona State and NC State's Hollywood Smothers, and Auburn receiver Cam Coleman.
Schedule: One of the toughest this fall, Texas will face Ohio State in week 2, Tennesee and Oklahoma back to back, and end with rival Texas A&M.

No. 10: BYU
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns along with junior wide receiver Jojo Phillips.
Over on defense, BYU returns LJ Martin, Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera, Faletau Satuala, Evan Johnson, Therrian Alexander III, and Bruce Mitchell. Nusi Taumoepeau and Tausili Akana at end may see time.
The Cougars added Utah's Devon Dampier, tight end Walker Lyons from USC, Kyler Kasper from Oregon, and Drew Mestemaker from the portal.
Schedule: The Cougars get a rough early schedule, hosting Arizona and visiting TCU within their first four games of the year, then welcoming Notre Dame in an enormous mid-October nonconference game.

No. 11 Texas Tech
Texas Tech needs to move on with the Brendan Sorsby fiasco. The Raiders still have a potent offense without him. Cameron Dickey and J'Koby Williams are back. And the Raiders went into the portal to rebuild on both sides of the line.
On defense, Tech corners Brice Pollock and Amier Boyd, safety Brenden Jordan and nickel John Curry, linebacker Ben Roberts and tackle A.J. Holmes Jr. are back. Peyton Morgan and corner Tarrion Grant could see time.
Additions from the portal include: Quinten Joyner from USC, Jordan Church from Louisville, Kenny Johnson from Pitt, Malcolm Simmons from Auburn, Donte Lee Jr. from Liberty, Jalen Jones from Alabama State, Julien Laventure from Akron, Jojo Johnson from Oregon State, Adam Trick from Miami OH, Austin Romaine from Kansas State, Corey Platt Jr. from Houston, Kirk Francis from Tulsa, and Trey White.
Schedule: Texas Tech has a very soft schedule. Their season ending game with TCU is the only headline game this season.

No. 12 Michigan
Michigan turns to Kyle Whittingham as their head coach and has a new staff to boot. Bryce Underwood will be their starting QB. His go-to players should be Andrew Marsh and running back Jordan Marshall. Channing Goodwin, tight end Zack Marshall should see playing time.
On defense, tackle Trey Pierce, linebacker Troy Bowles and corners Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry are back.
Portal additions include: Utah transfers JJ Buchanan, John Henry Daley, Jonah Lea'ea, and Smith Snowden, Jaime Ffrench Jr. from Texas, and Chris Bracy from Memphis.
Schedule: Michigan faces Oklahoma early and ends with Ohio State. Dates with Indiana, Oregon, and Penn State make their schedule one of the toughest in the nation.

No. 13 Texas A&M
Offensively, the Aggies are going with quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens II, and receivers Mario Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman.
On defense, defensive end T.J. Searcy, linebacker Daymion Sanford, corner Dezz Ricks and safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks return.
Additions from the portal include: Ryan Henderson from San Diego State, Anto Saka from Northwestern, and Ray Coney from Tulsa.
Schedule: A tough overall schedule awaits. TAMU wraps up the season with Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas.

No. 14 Washington
Washington will have Demond Williams Jr. back at quarterback. The offensive front line returns four starters. Returning on offense are running back Jordan Washington, receivers Dezmen Roebuck and Chris Lawson. Kodi Greene should be in the mix.
Over on defense, the Huskies return tackle Elinneus Davis, edge rusher Jacob Lane, linebacker Xe'ree Alexander and safety Alex McLaughlin. Nickel Rahshawn Clark, safety Rylon Dillard-Allen and corner Dylan Robinson are porbable starters.
Portal transfers: Kolt Dieterich from Sam Houston, Jayden Limar from Oregon, Christian Moss from Kennesaw State, Kai McClendon from Mississippi State, Darin Conley from Ball State, and DeSean Watts from Sacramento State.
Schedule: Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, and Oregon highlight their schedule.

No. 15 Iowa
Hank Brown or sophomore Jeremy Hecklinski will be the likely Hawkeye starting quarterback this fall. Iowa returns rusher Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams, Reece Vander Zee, guard Kade Pieper and tackle Trevor Lauck. DJ Vonnahme, Eli Stowers and Tanner Koziol, should see playing time.
Over on defense, tackle Bryce Hawthorne, linebacker Jayden Montgomery, and Zach Lutmer return. A rebuilt Iowa D, this defense should not disappoint.
Additions from the portal: Lendon Phillips Jr. from South Dakota, Tony Diaz from Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Evan James from Furman, Tyler Brown from James Madison, Lance Ingold from Northern Illinois, Kahmari Brown from Elon, Anthony Hawkins from Villanova, and Xavier Styles from Robert Morris.
Schedule: Iowa gets Iowa State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington early in the season.

No. 16 Oklahoma
The Sooners need more out of quarterback John Mateer. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III returns. This offense has the potential to be great. Just needs some fine tuning from pickups from the portal.
Over on defense, the Sooners return 11 of the 20 defenders, including end Taylor Wein, tackle David Stone, linebackers Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke, corners Courtland Guillory and Eli Bowen, and safety Peyton Bowen.
Coming in from the portal include: running back Lloyd Avant from Colorado State, Trell Harris from Virginia, Parker Livingstone from Texas, tight end Hayden Hansen from Florida, Rocky Beers from Colorado State, and lineman E'Marion Harris from Arkansas.
Schedule: Michigan, Georgia, and Texas highlight their schedule.

No. 17 Penn State
New head coach Matt Campbell brought over many of his players from Iowa State. Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, wide receivers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, and tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle are expected starting slots. How they gel this fall remains a question mark. Holdovers from last season are tight end Andrew Rappleyea and guard Anthony Donkoh.
Over on defense, the Lions are strong. Returing are linebacker Tony Rojas, nickel Zion Tracy, corner Audavion Collins, end Yvan Kemajou and corner Daryus Dixson.
Other portal pickups include: Iowa State linebackers Kooper Ebel and Caleb Bacon, corner Jeremiah Cooper and safeties Marcus Neal Jr. and Jamison Patton, tackles Keanu Williams and Siale Taupaki from UCLA, Armstrong Nnodim from Oklahoma State, and Dallas Vakalahi from Utah.
Schedule: USC and Michigan are the headliners this fall.

No. 18 James Madison
Billy Napier takes over at James Madison with a big rebuild. The Dukes have only four returners: center Zach Greenberg, receiver Braeden Wisloski, edge rusher Amar Thomas and linebacker Gannon Weathersby.
James Madison is a portal rebuild: quarterback Arrington Maiden is from Memphis, Davi Belfort from UCF, Kylan Billiot from LSU, offensive lineman Kaedin Massey from Kansas State, Noel Portnjagin from Florida, running back Nick Herman from Drake, receiver Noah Grevious from VMI, Jeremiah Harrison from East Tennessee State, offensive lineman Frankie Tinilau from East Tennessee, defensive tackle Kevin Roberts from West Florida, linebacker Lathan Croley from Holy Cross, JT Hooten from West Alabama, defensive backs Terrence Jones II from Fordham, Jayon Harvey from Findley, Damier Minkah from Shepherd, defensive end Ernest Willor Jr. from Wisconsin, defensive tackle Chukwunedu Okeke from Western Kentucky, cornerback DJ Kelly from Toledo).
Do not count this talented young transfer team out....
Schedule: A soft Sun Belt schedule helps.

No. 19 Southern Cal
Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiava returns. He threw for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs, and produced the highest Total QBR of any returning Big Ten starter. He accomplished that with a young offensive front line that should be better with a years experience under their belts. Running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan are back. Sophomore wide receiver Tanook Hines should see plenty of playing time, as well as sophomores Zacharyus Williams and Corey Simms, freshmen Boobie Feaster, Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Mark Bowman.
Over on defense, USC returns 9 of 16 defenders, namely end Kameryn Crawford, tackle Jahkeem Stewart, linebacker Jadyn Walker, and corner Marcelles Williams.
Portal adds: Terrell Anderson from NC State, Zuriah Fisher from Penn State, Alex VanSumeren from Michigan State, Deven Bryant from Washington, Jontez Williams from Iowa State.
Schedule: Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Washington highlight their schedule.

No. 20 Utah
The Utes have quarterback Devon Dampier, running back Wayshawn Parker, and receiver Braden Peganon back on offense. Larry Simmons and tight end Hunter Andrews are likely going to see time.
Defensively, Utah returns linebacker Johnathan Hall, nickel Jackson Bennee, end Lance Holtzclaw, linebacker Trey Reynolds and safety Nate Ritchie.
Portal additions: Cedric Jefferson from Montana State, Ethan Day from North Texas, James Chenault from South Florida, Elijah Reed from Akron
Schedule: BYU is the lone highlight game this season.

No. 21 Louisiana State
Lane Kiffin takes over at LSU and the Tigers will be a rebuilt team with the potential to go a long way. Quarterback Sam Leavitt comes over from Arizona State and will get the start in 2026. Other portal additions expected to start on offense include Colorado star Jordan Seaton, Jackson Harris from Hawai'i, Jayce Brown from Kansas State, Tre' Brown III from Old Dominion, and Winston Watkins from Mississippi. Tight end Trey'Dez Green should see plenty of time. The offensive front line remains a question mark. Only two starter from last season return: backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry.
Defensively, LSU is tapping into transfers. End Princewill Umanmielen comes over from Mississippi and Jordan Ross from Tennessee, tackles Malik Blocton from Auburn and Dominick McKinley, linebackers Whit Weeks and TJ Dottery from Mississippi, corners PJ Woodland and DJ Pickett, and safeties Tamarcus Cooley, Ty Benefield from Boise State, and Dashawn Spears. Freshmen Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson and Havon Finney Jr. may see playing time.
Schedule: A brutal schedule with Clemson, Mississippi, and Texas A&M early. Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee back to back to back late in the season.

No. 22 Vanderbilt
Even with Diego Pavia gone at QB, Vanderbilt still has the depth on offense to be in the mix this fall. 5 star Jared Curtis, the No. 12 prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, will be their starter. Returning are running backs Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young.
Over on defense, tackles Glenn Seabrooks III, Yilanan Ouattara, and Jaylon Stone and linebacker Bryan Longwell are the only returnees. The secondary should be solid with safety CJ Heard, corners Martel Hight and Jordan Matthews and others.
Vanderbilt will be relying on transfers. Coming in from the portal include: Ja'Cory Thomas from Old Dominion, Cole Adams from Alabama, tight end Jayvontay Conner from East Carolina, lineman Lyndon Cooper from Pitt, and tackle Beau Johnson from North Dakota State, edge rusher Edwin Kolenge from Boston College, Brian Allen from Iowa, CJ Jackson from LSU, tackle Talan Carter from Jacksonville State, Michael Diatta from Oklahoma State, and safety Ricardo Jones from Clemson.
Schedule: A soft non-conference slate gives way to a tough SEC slate with Georgia and Alabama on the schedule.

No. 23 Tulane
Who starts at QB for the Green Wave is still a question mark, but Tulane returns running backs Jamauri McClure, Javon Gordon, Arnold Barnes III, Zuberi Mobley, and Maurice Turner along with junior wide receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.
Over on defense, Tulane returns safeties E’zaiah Shine, Jack Tchienchou, and Kevin Adams III, and linebackers Chris Rodgers and Dickson Agu.
Schedule: One of the easier schedules, it's C-USA and a soft non-conference slate.

No. 24 Southern Methodist
On offense, third-year starting quarterback Kevin Jennings returns. He will have to build around some young talent in slot man Yamir Knight running back Derrick McFall and wide receiver Jalen Cooper. Offensive tackle PJ Williams leads an experienced from o-line.
The defense return linebackers Brandon Booker, Brandon Miyazono and Alexander Kilgore, and corners Marcellus Barnes Jr., William Nettles and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson. Jonathan Jefferson and Woo Spencer are also back.
Portal additions include: running back Kendrick Raphael from Cal, receiver Yannick Smith from East Carolina, Jalen Hale from Alabama, tight end Randy Pittman Jr. from Florida State, Theo Melin Öhrström from Texas A&M, Marques White from UMass, Jarvis Lee from USF, Christian Davis from Louisiana Tech, and Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder from Kansas State.
Schedule: Louisville and Notre Dame are top games this fall.

No. 25 Louisville
The Cardinals are a rebuilt team but can go very far. Louisville has one of the best running back duos in the country with Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Transferring in to lead the Cards is former Ohio State backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. Offensive guard Lance Robinson is the lone returning starter up front.
On the other side, defensive end Clev Lubin, linebacker Stanquan Clark, nickel Antonio Watts, and corner Tayon Holloway are all back.
Other portal transfers: Davin Wydner from West Georgia, receiver Tre Richardson from Vanderbilt, Lawayne McCoy from Florida State, Jackson Voth from Drake, tight end Brody Foley from Tulsa, Justyn Reid from Tulane, Anwar O'Neal from Delaware, tackle Johnnie Brown III from Georgia Southern, tackle Demeco Kennedy from Purdue, Joshua Donald, edge rusher Tyler Thompson from North Carolina, corner DJ Waller Jr. from Kentucky, Brycen Scott from Elon, safety Koen Entringer from Iowa, Kaleb Beasley from Tennessee, and T.J. Banks from Mississippi.
Schedule: Cards open up with Mississippi and could coast with a soft ACC schedule.

The rest:

North Texas             26
Navy                    27 
Virginia                28
Houston                 29
Old Dominion            30
Nevada-Las Vegas        31
Western Michigan        32
Kennesaw State          33
Texas Christian         34
Illinois                35
Ohio                    36
Georgia Tech            37
Connecticut             38
Western Kentucky        39
East Carolina           40
Fresno State            41
South Florida           42
Arizona                 43
Wake Forest             44
Hawaii                  45
San Diego State         46
New Mexico              47
Boise State             48
Duke                    49
Jacksonville State      50
Iowa State              51
Tennessee               52
Missouri                53
Arizona State           54
Memphis                 55
Minnesota               56
North Carolina State    57
Toledo                  58
Pittsburgh              59
Louisiana Tech          60
Troy                    61
Missouri State          62
Clemson                 63
Army                    64
Texas-San Antonio       65
Nebraska                66
Washington State        67
Georgia Southern        68
Texas State             69
Cincinnati              70
Arkansas State          71
California              72
Northwestern            73
Central Michigan        74
Florida International   75
Southern Mississippi    76
Delaware                77
Miami of Ohio           78
Kansas State            79
Louisiana-Lafayette     80
Coastal Carolina        81
Utah State              82
Marshall                83
Kentucky                84
Kansas                  85
Baylor                  86
Buffalo                 87
Auburn                  88
Florida State           89
Central Florida         90
Rutgers                 91
Temple                  92
Akron                   93
Kent State              94
Appalachian State       95
Mississippi State       96
Rice                    97
South Carolina          98
Florida                 99
Wisconsin              100
Liberty                101
West Virginia          102
North Carolina         103
Maryland               104
South Alabama          105
Air Force              106
Michigan State         107
Alabama-Birmingham     108
Wyoming                109
Stanford               110
Eastern Michigan       111
Ball State             112
Florida Atlantic       113
New Mexico State       114
Tulsa                  115
Syracuse               116
UCLA                   117
Colorado               118
Virginia Tech          119
Northern Illinois      120
Bowling Green          121
San Jose State         122
Louisiana-Monroe       123
Middle Tennessee       124
Nevada                 125
Sam Houston            126
Arkansas               127
Boston College         128
Colorado State         129
Oregon State           130
Purdue                 131
Texas-El Paso          132
Oklahoma State         133
Georgia State          134
Charlotte              135
Massachusetts          136
North Dakota State     137
Sacramento State       138

July 1, 2026