The first College Football AP Poll for the 2026 season was released Monday, so there’s no better time than now to look at who longtime betting analyst and VSiN Primetime host Matt Youmans has in his preseason Top 25. Professional bettor and frequent VSiN guest Paul Stone also had input, with the two comparing notes on the upcoming season.
The top five speaks for itself, while No. 6 and No. 7 in the rankings are the teams that played in last season’s CFP National Championship Game. Here’s some context on the top teams and then a list of Nos. 8 through 25.
1. Notre Dame
If sophomore quarterback CJ Carr stays healthy, the Irish should go 12-0 and claim the top seed in the CFP. Two running backs were drafted in the NFL’s first round and both (Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price) were from Notre Dame, yet that position is still loaded with talent and features Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young and Nolan James. The offensive line ranks among the nation’s best, and Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter boosts the receiving corps. The defense is elite. This team is highly motivated and shows no weaknesses.
2. Oregon
Ducks coach Dan Lanning lost his defensive coordinator (Tosh Lupoi, California) and offensive coordinator (Will Stein, Kentucky) to head coaching jobs, but he doesn’t lose often. Lanning is 48-8 in four years, including 17-1 in Big Ten play the past two years. The downside is the Ducks were blown out by eventual national champions Ohio State and Indiana in playoff games the past two years. Senior quarterback Dante Moore will be an early NFL pick, and the defensive front is arguably the nation’s strongest.
3. Ohio State
The Buckeyes are as good as it gets at the offense’s most important positions with quarterback Julian Sayin (77 percent completions and 32 touchdowns last season), running back Bo Jackson (1,090 yards) and receiver Jeremiah Smith (87 receptions, 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns). The defense must replace a lot of NFL talent, though reloading is seldom a problem. The Michigan monkey, meaning a four-game losing streak, is finally off coach Ryan Day’s back, but now he’s got a Curt Cignetti problem and plays at Indiana in October.
4. Georgia
In the so-called ‘year of the quarterback’ in college football, Georgia senior Gunner Stockton is often overlooked because he’s not a top NFL prospect. But he’s a clutch dual-threat playmaker (24 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns last season), and leading rusher Nate Frazier also returns. Two-time national championship coach Kirby Smart is 40-5 in SEC play since 2021. “Georgia’s offense might lack the firepower of some of the other contenders, but the Dawgs can run the ball and play sound defense,” Stone said.
5. Texas
Big checks were written to get Arch Manning more offensive help as coach Steve Sarkisian brought in Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and NC State running back Hollywood Smothers. Sark also made a sharp hire by getting Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. “Manning rebounded nicely last season after stumbling through September,” Stone said. “Manning has the top trio of receivers (Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley) in the country, plus his running ability will be showcased more this season.”
6. Indiana
The Hoosiers were No. 16 in these power rankings a year ago, so are they underrated again? Curt Cignetti, 27-2 in two seasons in Bloomington, is a former Nick Saban assistant who looks like the new version of him. Top overall pick Fernando Mendoza and seven other draft picks are gone to the NFL. Cignetti sees something in TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (42 turnovers in 31 career starts). Indiana ranked No. 2 in scoring defense (11.7 ppg) but will be near the top again despite losing some key players.
7. Miami
Cignetti got a few scares last season, and one came from the Hurricanes in a 27-21 national title game. Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah could be an upgrade from Carson Beck. Mensah benefits from the return of leading rusher Mark Fletcher (1,192 yards, 10 touchdowns) and leading receiver Malachi Toney (109 catches, 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns). First-round draft picks Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor will be missed on the defensive front. Miami has never won the ACC and coach Mario Cristobal’s team is the odds-on favorite (-135).
The rest of the Top 25
8. LSU
9. MISSISSIPPI
10. OKLAHOMA
11. TEXAS A&M
12. TEXAS TECH
13. BYU
14. USC
15. ALABAMA
16. WASHINGTON
17. PENN STATE
18. FLORIDA
19. LOUISVILLE
20. MICHIGAN
21. IOWA
22. UTAH
23. HOUSTON
24. CLEMSON
25. SMU
