League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Recaps

ESPN releases first FPI rankings for 2026 college football season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 12, 2026, 1:00 PM

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

ESPN releases first FPI rankings for 2026 college football season

Summary

ESPN unveiled its first FPI rankings for the 2026 college football season on July 12. Ohio State claims the top spot, while defending national champion Indiana is ranked at No. 6. Debates are arising regarding team placements, particularly regarding Penn State at No. 17, which many believe is too high given the changes in their program. In contrast, Miami (FL), currently in the top 10, is argued to deserve a higher ranking, potentially taking Notre Dame's No. 3 position due to recent roster improvements. Discussions regarding these rankings are expected to continue as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Ohio State ranked first in ESPN's FPI for 2026
•Indiana holds the No. 6 position as defending champion
•Penn State is questioned for its No. 17 ranking
•Miami (FL) seen as deserving a higher rank than No. 10
•Debate over rankings fuels offseason discussions among teams

Latest Updates

1:00 PMYahoo Sports — Who is ranked too low, too high on first college football ESPN FPI?

What they're saying

"
The college football world got a big treat on Saturday when ESPN released its first FPI rankings for the 2026 season. The FPI uses a specific formula to evaluate and rank the strength of each program, often sparking plenty of…
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAF College Sports