Ohio State tops AP preseason college football rankings ahead of Oregon
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 4:03 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
Ohio State secured the top spot in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25, receiving 40 of 69 first-place votes. Oregon follows in second place with 14 votes. This marks the first time in 65 years that both the top teams in the preseason rankings are from the Big Ten, which also includes Indiana at No. 6. Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas complete the top five. The Southeastern Conference leads in total representation with nine ranked teams. Ohio State prepares for a challenging season, facing Texas and several top-ranked conference opponents.
- •Ohio State and Oregon are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
- •Big Ten holds the top two spots for the first time since 1961.
- •The Southeastern Conference has nine teams in the Top 25.
- •Ohio State will play five conference games against ranked teams.
- •This marks Ohio State's ninth time as a preseason No. 1.
- 4:03 PMYahoo Sports — Ohio State leads 2026 preseason college football AP Top 25 ahead of Oregon and Georgia
- 3:59 PMYahoo Sports — Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in the AP preseason Top 25, SEC leads conferences with 9 ranked teams
"Ohio State and Oregon were 1-2 in The Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, giving the Big Ten Conference the top two teams in the preseason rankings for the first time in 65 years and just the second time ever. The Buckeyes received 40 first-place votes and Oregon received 14 in voting by 69 media members who cover college football. Ohio State will go into a season No. 1 for the ninth time, and first since 2015.
"The Buckeyes got 40 of 69 first-place votes.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 4:03 PMOhio State leads 2026 preseason college football AP Top 25 ahead of Oregon and Georgia
The Buckeyes got 40 of 69 first-place votes.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 3:59 PMOhio State and Oregon are 1-2 in the AP preseason Top 25, SEC leads conferences with 9 ranked teams
Ohio State and Oregon were 1-2 in The Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, giving the Big Ten Conference the top two teams in the preseason rankings for the first time in 65 years and just the second time ever. The Buckeyes received 40 first-place votes and Oregon received 14 in voting by 69 media members who cover college football. Ohio State will go into a season No. 1 for the ninth time, and first since 2015.
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