After an offseason full of congressional hearings, eligibility lawsuits and a high-profile gambling scandal (I’m sure I missed something), the 2026 college football season finally kicks off when North Carolina plays TCU in Dublin on Aug. 29.
The games can’t get here soon enough.
For the first time since Indiana took down Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T on Jan. 19, coaches (and not judges) will finally decide who can take the field.
And the NCAA won’t be the only ones taking weekly losses.
Ohio State is No. 1 in ESPN’s preseason Power Rankings, followed by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 4 Oregon and No. 5 Texas.
The Buckeyes will attempt to win their second CFP national championship in the past three seasons and become the fourth straight Big Ten school to win the title.
That hasn’t happened since SEC teams did it from 2019 to 2022.
And, despite what you might have heard during this long, hot summer, SEC schools are still playing college football.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
2025 record: 12-2, 9-0 Big Ten
With quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes are loaded on offense. Ryan Day has to replace eight starters on defense, including four who were selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. With road games at Texas, Iowa, Indiana and USC and home contests against Oregon and Michigan, Ohio State will have to navigate its way through one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
2025 record: 12-2, 8-1 SEC
With the Bulldogs following SEC titles with quarterfinal exits in the CFP the past two seasons, coach Kirby Smart’s team might be flying under the radar. Quarterback Gunner Stockton should be better in his second season as a starter, and the Bulldogs have tons of star power on defense. But can they generate a disruptive pass rush? Georgia ranked last in the SEC in sacks with 20 in 2025. Linebackers Chris Cole, Chase Linton and Quintavius Johnson are three names to know.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2025 record: 10-2
After being left out of the CFP at the end of the 2025 season, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is telling his team to “leave no doubt” this season. Undoubtedly, the Irish will miss explosive running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who combined for 2,046 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns last season. Aneyas Williams steps into a starting role, and quarterback CJ Carr might have to be even more potent in the passing game.
4. Oregon Ducks
2025 record: 13-2, 8-1 Big Ten
After falling in the CFP to each of the past two national champions, the Ducks have unfinished business in 2026. That’s one of the reasons quarterback Dante Moore bypassed the NFL draft and returned to Eugene. Can Dan Lanning’s team get over the hump in 2026? The Ducks play at Ohio State on Nov. 7, but they won’t face Indiana -- unless the teams meet up in the postseason.
