The preseason AP Poll came out on Monday at noon ET, another step that moves us ever closer to the start of the 2026 regular season.
The SEC led the way with 9 total teams included in the rankings, though the Big Ten took the top 2 spots with Ohio State at No. 1 and Oregon at No. 2. Georgia checked in at No. 3, Notre Dame at No. 4 and Texas at No. 5 to round out the top 5.
What should we think of this preseason poll? Many fans lash out at preseason rankings, arguing that they’re useless. There’s certainly some truth to that, but it is a good way to gauge how people in the media think the upcoming season will go.
With that said, let’s dive into 3 of our biggest takeaways from this week’s AP Poll:
Texas should be higher than No. 5
I’m not saying the Texas Longhorns should be the No. 1 team in the country again this year (not that they’d probably want to be considering 20 of the last 21 preseason No. 1 teams have failed to win the title). But I will go on the record and say that this team is too talented to be the No. 5 team. I’d have the Longhorns ahead of an Oregon squad that lost both of its coordinators this offseason, as well as ahead of Notre Dame.
Both Oregon and Notre Dame are talented teams and anything short of a Playoff berth would be a massive disappointment to either, but Texas has potential 2027 first-round NFL Draft picks all over the place in QB Arch Manning, WR Cam Coleman, OL Trevor Goosby, Edge Colin Simmons and LB Rasheem Biles.
Talent alone doesn’t lead to titles, but it’s a big step in the right direction. Add in the experience Manning got last year and the continuity with head coach Steve Sarkisian and you have a recipe for success. Yes, the schedule is brutal, but now Sark has some motivation to use in the locker room.
Being a top-5 team in the preseason poll isn’t quite “nobody believes in us” territory, but Texas deserved to be a spot or 2 higher.
Alabama’s ranking seems… fair
The Alabama Crimson Tide face a lot of pressure entering Year 3 of the Kalen DeBoer era. And this is far from a flawless team or a juggernaut Nick Saban squad.
The Tide were ranked 13th in the preseason AP Poll and that seems… about right. Yes, it’s the lowest the Tide have been ranked since Saban’s second season back in 2008, but this ain’t a Saban team.
The secondary is absolutely loaded. That’s the good news. But questions remain at quarterback and all over the rest of the offense. Will Keelon Russell or Austin Mack win the coveted QB1 job? Will a running back step up? Can the offensive line block anyone this year?
These are all fair questions to ask, and when you have that many questions on one side of the ball, checking in at No. 13 in the preseason poll seems fair.
Will Alabama make it back to the Playoff? Use Kalshi promo code SDS when you click here to sign up today and you’ll receive $25 in bonuses when you trade $25 in contracts:
Who should feel slighted more — Indiana or Miami?
Normally when you win a national title in dominant (and undefeated) fashion, you’re ranked higher than No. 6 in the following year’s preseason poll. However, that’s where the Indiana Hoosiers and coach Curt Cignetti find themselves.
Yes, the Hoosiers are losing Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza and other key pieces from last year’s squad, but this is still a loaded team. Josh Hoover is an intriguing new QB1.
Charlie Becker is ready to step into a WR1 role. The defense reloaded with some nice portal additions. Doubt the Hoosiers at your own risk!
Meanwhile, Miami lost QB Carson Beck, both its offensive tackles and some key pieces on defense, but there’s still a case to be made that Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes are too low at No. 7.
WR Malachi Toney is going to be a popular non-QB pick to win the Heisman. RB Mark Fletcher Jr. is back. The Hurricanes brought in Darian Mensah from Duke to take over for Beck, and Mensah brought his top receiver with him in Cooper Barkate. Defensively, as a Mizzou alum, I can tell you that Miami fans are going to love edge rusher Damon Wilson II.
This team is the favorite to win the ACC (something it didn’t do last year) for a reason. Still, though, Indiana has a slightly stronger case for feeling disrespected from this preseason AP Poll.
Subscribe to the Saturday Football Newsletter — Get the latest news and updates on your team, your conference, and the college football nation straight to your inbox.
Having trouble seeing the signup form? Some privacy or ad-blocking tools can prevent it from loading. You can subscribe directly here.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
