2026 College Football Pre-Season Poll - Ohio State #1

Ohio State, Oregon lead most wide-open preseason Coaches Poll top 25 since 2008 Preseason Coaches Poll RANK TEAM PTS 1ST 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 1741 38 2 Oregon Ducks 1637 6 3 Georgia Bulldogs 1591 7 4 Texas Longhorns 1544 2 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1524 5 6 Indiana Hoosiers 1522 14 7 Miami (FL) Hurricanes 1409 -- 8 Texas A&M Aggies 1174 -- 9 Oklahoma Sooners 1104 -- 10 Ole Miss Rebels 1096 -- 11 Alabama Crimson Tide 1050 -- 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders 1034 -- 13 LSU Tigers 951 -- 14 USC Trojans 838 -- 15 BYU Cougars 781 -- 16 Michigan Wolverines 719 -- 17 Penn State Nittany Lions 463 -- 18 Tennessee Volunteers 428 -- 19 Washington Huskies 406 -- 20 SMU Mustangs 378 -- 21 Utah Utes 313 -- 22 Iowa Hawkeyes 291 -- 23 Clemson Tigers 235 -- 24 Houston Cougars 194 -- 25 Missouri Tigers 158 -- Big Ten teams won each of the past three College Football Playoff national championships, and Ohio State will start the 2026 season as the No. 1 team in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes, who will be led by a pair of Heisman Trophy contenders in quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith, received 38 of 72 first-place votes. It's the first time the Buckeyes will start a season No. 1 in the coaches' poll since 2015. EDITOR'S PICKS Updated college football Top 25: How far does Texas Tech fall without Sorsby? Mark Schlabach College Football Playoff: 31 teams that can make the CFP Heather Dinich From playoff QBs to potential stars we're stacking the 40 most crucial players Bill Connelly Another Big Ten team, Oregon, is No. 2, followed by No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas and No. 5 Notre Dame. Defending national champion Indiana, which went 16-0 last season to win its first title in school history, will start this season at No. 6. The Hoosiers brought in former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to replace Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who was the first overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL draft. The Hoosiers were among six teams that received first-place votes and had the second most with 14. Oregon (six), Georgia (seven) Texas (two) and Notre Dame (five) also received first-place votes. Preseason AFCA Coaches Poll The top 25 teams in the preseason AFCA college football coaches poll, released Tuesday (first-place votes in parentheses). SCHOOL PTS. '25 REC. 1. Ohio State (38) 1,741 12-2 2. Oregon (6) 1,637 13-2 3. Georgia (7) 1,591 12-2 4. Texas (2) 1,544 10-3 5. Notre Dame (5) 1,5224 10-2 6. Indiana (14) 1,522 16-0 7. Miami 1,409 13-3 8. Texas A&M 1,174 11-2 9. Oklahoma 1,104 10-3 10. Ole Miss 1,096 13-2 11. Alabama 1,050 11-4 12. Texas Tech 1,034 12-2 13. LSU 951 7-6 14. Southern Cal 838 9-4 15. BYU 781 12-2 16. Michigan 719 9-4 17. Penn State 463 7-6 18. Tennessee 428 8-5 19. Washington 406 9-4 20. SMU 378 9-4 21. Utah 313 11-2 22. Iowa 291 9-4 23. Clemson 235 7-6 24. Houston 194 10-3 25. Missouri 158 8-5 "The Big Ten is the best league in football, and a lot of really good football teams," Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said at last week's Big Ten media days. "It's hard to win on the road [against] very physical football teams, very well-coached. It definitely prepares you for the playoffs. There's no doubt about it; the numbers speak for themselves." Miami, which fell 27-21 against the Hoosiers in last season's CFP National Championship presented by AT&T, is No. 7 in the initial poll. The Hurricanes grabbed quarterback Darian Mensah from ACC foe Duke and return star tailback Mark Fletcher and receiver Malachi Toney. Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss -- all from the SEC -- round out the top 10. Alabama is No. 11, followed by Texas Tech, LSU, USC and BYU. Michigan, which will play its first season under new coach Kyle Whittingham, is 16th. Penn State, which brought in coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State, is 17th. Tennessee is 18th, Washington is 19th, and SMU is 20th. Utah, Iowa, Clemson, Houston and Missouri complete the top 25. The SEC had nine teams in the initial coaches' poll, including half of the top 10. The Big Ten had eight teams in the poll, while the Big 12 had four and the ACC three. Last season, 11 teams that were ranked in the preseason coaches' poll weren't included in the final one. Three teams in the top 10 -- No. 3 Penn State, No. 6 Clemson and No. 9 LSU -- lost six games in 2025. The Nittany Lions fired coach James Franklin, and LSU let Brian Kelly go after eight games. It is Clemson's lowest preseason ranking since 2011.

Ohio Stadium Ranks as One of the Best Stadiums in College Football

USA TODAY ranks best 25 CFB stadiums. Where did Ohio State land? Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire Opinion rankings are just that: opinion, but there are trends with these things, and when it comes to stadium rankings of college football programs, Ohio Stadium (affectionately known as the Horseshoe), where Ohio State plays, is generally ranked pretty highly. The architecture, the updates, the history, and how loud it gets on the banks of the Olentangy all play into the atmosphere and the perception of a stadium. The latest of these stadium rankings comes from our mothership, USA TODAY, and a panel of four writers that ranked the top 25 college football stadiums. Some leaned into the visual appeal, some into how hard it is to play, and some into tradition, but in the end, ten staff members came up with a comprehensive 25-stadium list, and Ohio Stadium is very high on the list as you'll see below. We go through the stadiums with the top ten first, from ten down to No. 1, then the rest of the top 25. This list will differ based on who makes it and from what part of the country it is penciled in from, but this is a more national one starting with No. 10. No. 10 - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Florida Gators Florida blasts out onto the field during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Florida blasts out onto the field during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] More What USA TODAY says: "Florida fans singing Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down' before the fourth quarter might be a new tradition. It's also peak college football. The Swamp can roar with the best of them, even if the Gators haven't matched their glory years in recent seasons. Consider last season: Florida went 4-2 at home, including an upset of Texas, and 0-6 away." No. 9 - Bryant-Denny Stadium | Alabama Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) has a big smile as he leaves the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) has a big smile as he leaves the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News More What USA TODAY says "You want history? How about the field where both Bear Bryant and Nick Saban walked the sideline while winning national championships by the bunches? It's also one of the toughest places to win. Alabama is 65-3 at Bryant-Denny the past 10 seasons. When 100,000 sets of crimson-and-white pompoms start shaking in the stands, you know: It's over."

No. 8 - Notre Dame Stadium | Notre Dame Notre Dame takes the field for the Blue-Gold spring game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in South Bend. Notre Dame takes the field for the Blue-Gold spring game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in South Bend. What USA TODAY says "There might be no other stadium that is a pictorial stand-in for college than the 'The House that Rockne Built.' Looming outside the stadium wall is the mural of 'Touchdown Jesus' that overlooks the field. Lines and lines of some of the sport's most memorable coaches and players. National championships galore. While the vibe might be different than that seen at some of the larger SEC fields, no one can deny that Notre Dame Stadium occupies a special place in the sport's landscape." No. 7 - Neyland Stadium | Tennessee A fan waits for his ball to be signed before a Savannah Bananas game against the Texas Tailgaters at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2026. A fan waits for his ball to be signed before a Savannah Bananas game against the Texas Tailgaters at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2026. What USA TODAY says "Simply put, Neyland Stadium is "a different type of loud," which is how former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield described playing there. And when the home team is thriving and "Rocky Top" plays on a loop, it's pure psychological torture. Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn called it "the loudest place I ever played." So loud, he said, the ball would tremble on the turf between plays." No. 6 - Sanford Stadium | Georgia Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders run on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders run on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images What USA TODAY says "The environment 'Between the Hedges' has made the Bulldogs nearly unbeatable at home under coach Kirby Smart. While the literally barking from Georgia fans doesn't always rattle your eardrums, Sanford Stadium can rumble when challenged. Georgia's .918 home winning percentage during the Kirby Smart era is a credit to the program Smart built. It's also a credit to Bulldogs fans. No. 5 - Autzen Stadium | Oregon Oregon defensive lineman Aydin Breland, center, leads the team out of the tunnel during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon defensive lineman Aydin Breland, center, leads the team out of the tunnel during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. What USA TODAY says "Size doesn't matter in the case of Autzen Stadium. While only boasting a capacity of 54,000, Oregon's home field is one of the classes of the Big Ten and toughest places to place. The Ducks have lost just twice at home since hiring Dan Lanning in 2022. This stretch rivals the most dominant run of play at home in program history, a 21-game winning streak under former Chip Kelly that ended with a loss to Southern California in 2011." No. 4 - Kyle Field | Texas A&M Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; A view of the fans and the CFP first round logo during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; A view of the fans and the CFP first round logo during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images More What USA TODAY says Kyle Field supplies the SEC's most singular experience. Yeah, there are some odd chants, routines and hand signs from the school's Aggie Yell Leaders. But the 12th Man is indefatigable, and the Aggies storming out of the tunnel to 'POWER' before kickoff, while the stadium shakes, creates a scene suited for football heaven. A handful of SEC venues are tougher on road teams, but few stadiums are as memorable as this massive cathedral, especially when the fans sway in unison to the 'Aggie War Hymn.'

No. 3 - Beaver Stadium | Penn State The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field to play Minnesota in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College. Penn State won, 45-17.Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field to play Minnesota in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College. Penn State won, 45-17. Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout What USA TODAY says "There are few better spectacles than Penn State's annual 'White Out' games. It's especially intimidating in the evening when fans dress in white to provide visitors with an unsettling, eye-popping backdrop. Combined with the deafening roar provided by 100,000-plus fans, this makes Beaver Stadium one of the elite settings in the FBS." No. 2 - Ohio Stadium | Ohio State The Archie Griffin statue near the Ohio Stadium Rotunda on The Ohio State University campus Monday, September 8, 2025. The Archie Griffin statue near the Ohio Stadium Rotunda on The Ohio State University campus Monday, September 8, 2025. What USA TODAY says "The Horseshoe is one of the great venues in college football and one of the toughest places to win. The Buckeyes have lost just three games at home since 2016. Two of those losses have come in the rivalry against Michigan. Basically, any trip to Columbus with a crowd of more than 100,000 mostly against your team is as close to a guaranteed loss as you'll find in the Power Four." No. 1 - Tiger Stadium | LSU Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cheerleaders perform for the fans against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cheerleaders perform for the fans against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images More What USA TODAY says "A night game in Baton Rouge is an animal unlike any other. Bear Bryant described Tiger Stadium as 'the worst place in the world for a visiting team.' LSU fans specialize in tailgating, full of culinary delights and plenty of imbibing. Then the game starts with the hostility on display that gives opposing players and fans something to forget. One thing to remember? The singalong for 'Garth Brooks and ''Callin' Baton Rouge.'" The rest of the USA TODAY top 25 college football stadiums Stadium Name Team Location 11. Memorial Stadium Clemson Clemson, SC 12. Michigan Stadium Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 13. LaVell Edwards Stadium Brigham Young Provo, UT 14. Husky Stadium Washington Seattle, WA 15. Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn Auburn, AL 16. Lane Stadium Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 17. Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium Oklahoma Norman, OK 18. Rice-Eccles Stadium Utah Salt Lake City, UT 19. Camp Randall Stadium Wisconsin Madison, WI 20. Michie Stadium Army West Point, NY 21. Kinnick Stadium Iowa Iowa City, IA 22. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Texas Austin, TX 23. Rose Bowl UCLA Pasadena, CA 24. Memorial Stadium Nebraska Lincoln, NE 25. Williams-Brice Stadium South Carolina Columbia, SC

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New Turf at Ohio Stadium for the Ohio State Buckeyes

CLICK ON LINK BELOW https://x.com/CameronFontana/status/2082794211108073511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2082794211108073511%7Ctwgr%5Ecb5b61a1fbbe8faa3e02bfa96680963a6f8c69b3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckeyeswire.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Fbuckeyes%2Ffootball%2F2026%2F07%2F31%2Fohio-state-football-new-turf-look-buckeyes%2F91118042007%2F When it comes to athletics at The Ohio State University, nothing but the best will do. While keeping tradition at the forefront, the athletic department is not shy about spending money to make sure Buckeye teams have every advantage to compete at the highest level. From state-of-the-art training facilities to hiring NFL-caliber coaches, Ohio State puts its money where its mouth is. While there have been many upgrades in and around the football program this year, one of the biggest improvements will come on the field in the form of, well, a new field. It was announced that a new playing surface would be installed over the summer just in time for the beginning of the new season, and the final product is almost ready to be revealed. Cameron Fontana of ABC 6 in Columbus was able to take fans inside the 'Shoe for a first look at the new turf. One of the first things fans will notice is a more vibrant shade of scarlet where the former surface gave off a faded feel. The field surface will alternate between darker and lighter shades of green. You can take a first look at the new field below. It wasn't that long since the playing surface was replaced, just four years ago in 2022. But this new turf isn't just for looks. After many complaints of injuries, Ohio State decided to get up to par with NFL standards. In a news release, OSU officials stated the new playing surface will feature Shaw Sports Turf's Forge Series system, "a system-level product line designed to meet NFL standards, featuring Game ON technology that integrates field markings directly into the turf." It will be a much-needed upgrade for player performance and safety. It's hard to say at this point, but the initial views make it seem like a much-needed upgrade and will most certainly make for a more vibrant viewing experience.