Ohio State takes top spot in preseason college football coaches poll

Ohio State enters the 2026 college football season ranked No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The preseason ranking follows a historical trend where the top-ranked team often faces challenges in maintaining that position through the College Football Playoff in January. Since 1991, only four preseason No. 1 teams have finished the season at the top of the rankings. Oregon enters the season at No. 2, a position that has historically yielded more national championship winners than the top spot. Indiana, the reigning national champion, begins this season at No. 6. The poll serves as an early indicator of expectations, though previous seasons have demonstrated that rankings can shift significantly once competition begins.

• 9:13 AMYahoo Sports — Ohio State leads preseason college football poll. History against Buckeyes finishing there