Sports News Report
League: NCAAFSport: College SportsCountry: United StatesCategory: Rankings

Big Ten teams projected top of AP preseason college football rankings

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 16, 2026, 1:15 PM

Last updated Aug 16, 2026

Big Ten teams projected top of AP preseason college football rankings
Summary

The first AP Top 25 poll of the 2026 college football season will be released Monday. Projections indicate a strong showing for Big Ten teams, with Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Indiana, and Notre Dame filling the top five spots. Ohio State is favored to retain its No. 1 ranking thanks to a solid core of returning players, including Jake Dive and Jeremiah Smith. Oregon's consistent performance in recent seasons places them in contention for a high ranking as well. With the anticipation of the rankings, teams are looking to build on last year's performances to cement their positions.

Source Links
CBS Sports
Key Details
  • •AP Top 25 released Monday, focusing on preseason rankings.
  • •Ohio State expected to maintain No. 1 spot with returning talent.
  • •Oregon projected to land in the top four based on previous seasons.
  • •Texas remains a contender despite past playoff disappointments.
  • •Indiana's rise marks a shift in modern college football expectations.
Latest Updates
  • 1:15 PMCBS Sports — Tomorrow's Top 25 Today: Big Ten takeover in the top five in new college football rankings
What they're saying
"

Projecting the preseason college football rankings from the AP Top 25 poll

Related Teams & Leagues
NCAAFCollege Sports

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days