Ranking college football coaches against AP Top 25 teams for 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.

• 1:24 PMCBS Sports — College football coaches vs. AP Top 25 teams: Ranking Power Four's best big-game records