College Football Top 25 Review

 Here is the 2026 Coaches Poll Top 25

1. Ohio State 2. Oregon 3. Georgia 4. Texas 5. Notre Dame 6. Indiana 7. Miami 8. Texas A&M                 9. Oklahoma 10. Ole Miss 11. Alabama 12. Texas Tech 13. LSU 14. USC 15. BYU 16. Michigan            17. Penn State  18. Tennessee 19. Washington 20. SMU 21. Utah 22. Iowa 23. Clemson 24. Houston              25. Missouri

Here are my 5 biggest questions for the preseason rankings:

1. Can Indiana be back to back great?

Last year, when Indiana won the National Championship, they had a bunch of older veterans that were very gritty and hungry for a National Championship. They were the quiet ones throughout the year that had to prove themselves against the big teams. They won a 4 game streak of, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Miami. That is the best row a games you can win to become the king of College Football. With a new year upon us, there are different names on the back of the jersey while on the Field. The Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza has left Indiana to be an NFL QB for the Las Vegas Raiders. Indiana went to the portal immediately to receive a new starting QB, and they got Josh Hoover, who was an excellent quarterback at TCU, but does TCU play the big games like Indiana does? How is Hoover going to be handling playing in Nebraska or in Michigan this year with it being the cold, snowy days in the Big 10? I think Indiana will stay successful, but I do not think they will end the year being ranked top #8. 

2. Is Alabama done for?

This is the lowest season Alabama has been in the preseason in 18 years… which is absolutely insane. With Alabama not being the same Alabama since Saban leaving, are they going to be able to handle the SEC? They have a lot of new faces on the field this year as well, but Alabama still has that Alabama hype, and looking at the schedule, they can do pretty well this year. Their biggest games this year are Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Auburn, the SEC may eat the SEC and kick Alabama out of the playoffs. This is another team that will not end the season as highly ranked as they are in the preseason. 

3. SMU back to the playoffs? 

SMU made a huge surprise in College Football by making the Playoffs, but having an early exit against Penn State. The biggest talks from that game was that the SMU starting qb was not ready for the game, but Kevin Jennings 2 year later is still with College Football. I think this may be the year for him. Looking through the schedule, the return players, they have a great chance to make the playoffs. The toughest games they have are Florida State and Notre Dame, besides that, they should win out and get a chance for the Conference Championship and a chance to make the College Football Playoffs. Be prepared for SMU to make the playoffs this upcoming year. 

4. Lane Kiffin looking for Revenge

Lane Kiffin has turned teams around all around the College Football world, Tennessee for a short time, Offensive Coordinators for successful teams, Ole Miss became a top team, and now he is with LSU, with a blank check and the recruiting ability to get almost anyone that he wants. LSU has a pretty tough schedule this year starting with Clemson, and playing Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Texas. If LSU can win 3 of those 5, they will be making it to the College Football Playoffs. If this year is not for the year for LSU, Lane Kiffin will make sure they are ready to be dominant in the SEC and College Football world for the upcoming years. 

5. Auburn Back? 

Auburn might have the best transfer in college football this previous Off Season. Byrum Brown was the starting quarterback for South Florida and brought them to a 9-4 record and some big wins against Florida and North Texas. If Byrum Brown was able to succeed and win with South Florida, I am very very excited to see what he can do with the Auburn Roster. The only problem is that they have one of the more difficult schedules in the SEC. Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama. They may be the surprise team of the year, maybe they can follow what Cam Newton did for his big season. Do not be surprised if Byrum Brown and Auburn finishes the season ranked and the talk for College Football.