Ranking college football coaches against AP Top 25 teams for 2026
CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 1:24 PM
Last updated Aug 7, 2026
As the 2026 college football season approaches, CBS Sports ranks Power Four coaches based on their records against AP Top 25 opponents. Career records reflect each coach's performance against ranked teams throughout their careers, factoring in prior stops. Ten coaches have achieved a.500 or better winning percentage against ranked teams, with Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman included. Kirby Smart leads with 42 wins over ranked competition since 2016, while Kalen DeBoer boasts a.769 winning percentage at Alabama. The strength of the SEC conference remains a key challenge for many coaches, especially newcomers facing tough schedules this fall.
- •2026 college football season set to start
- •Ten Power Four coaches have.500 or better records
- •Kirby Smart's 42 wins lead college football since 2016
- •Kalen DeBoer has.769 winning percentage at Alabama
- •SEC teams face tough schedules with many ranked matchups
- 1:24 PMCBS Sports — College football coaches vs. AP Top 25 teams: Ranking Power Four's best big-game records
"Which coaches are the best against elite competition entering 2026?
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 3:30 PMUNC running back emphasizes culture-building for 2026 on-field success
- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 3:23 PMJim Harding discusses 'the magnitude' of coaching at Michigan football
- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 3:02 PMKerry Coombs says Michigan 'one of my favorite staffs of all time'
- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 3:01 PMBy the Numbers: What Ohio State fans should want to see this season
- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 2:24 PMNBC Sports video: Kyle Whittingham reveals his plan for Michigan
- NCAAF•Aug 7, 2026, 1:27 PMDan Lanning says new NCAA redshirt rule won't impact Oregon in 2026
