The Ohio State Buckeyes reside on top of the first preseason poll for the 2026 college football season. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll ahead of its fellow Big Ten title hopeful, the Oregon Ducks. The SEC and Big Ten control most of the spots in the poll. Defending College Football Playoff champion Indiana checks in at No. 5, Notre Dame is the highest-ranked team from outside the Big 10 and SEC.