NCAA Football 2026-27 Preseason Top 10 Rankings: Agree or Disagree?
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Mon Jul 20, 2026, 10:45 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
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We are less than six weeks away from college football taking over our screens once again. Before we get some official rankings, let's see how our analysts rank their own top 10. Trying to predict the entire top 25 might be a little over our heads. Be sure to check out all of our NCAA Football futures at Betting News, and keep reading for our CFB Top 10!
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NCAA Football Top 10 Rankings
Jeremiah Smith in looking to win the Heisman and lead Ohio State to another National Championship
Odds to win National Title are in parentheses.
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No. 1 – Ohio State Buckeyes (+600)
It's tough not to put this team number one overall as they return Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, both of whom are near the top of the Heisman betting board. Defensively, this team is going to be one of the best units in the entire country once again. However, this team is facing one of the toughest schedules in the country, with games at Texas, at Iowa, at Indiana, at USC, while hosting Oregon and Michigan. It won't be easy, but they should be one of the best all year long.
No. 2 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+700)
This might be a little too high for some, but I have plenty of faith in the Irish this season. CJ Carr is another year older and more mature, and even without a phenomenal rushing attack, I think he is ready to handle most of the offensive workload. Their toughest two games are in Provo against BYU, and hosting Miami in South Bend in November. The Irish could very easily go undefeated and be the No. 1 overall team going into the College Football Playoff. The schedule plays in their favor.
Gunner Stockton is going into this second full season as the Bulldogs' starting QB
No. 3 – Georgia Bulldogs (+900)
We couldn't leave the SEC out of the top three, even if it might be a down year. Gunner Stockton is back again for his second full season as a starting quarterback. The Bulldogs receiving corps has struggled in recent years, and it might be headlined by freshmen this upcoming season. This might cause Georgia to rely more heavily on defense, however that is not a new concept to this program.
No. 4 – Oregon Ducks (+800)
I am very high on Dan Lanning, Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks this year. They only lost twice last year, both coming at the hands of the eventual national champions. The question is: Can Moore step up when the lights are the brightest? Their two toughest games will be on the road this year, at USC and at Ohio State, but they get to avoid Indiana, Iowa and Penn State. I could see them playing the Buckeyes a second time in the Big Ten Championship in December.
No. 5 – Indiana Hoosiers (+900)
Fernando Mendoza is gone, but Josh Hoover is ready to step up to the task. Curt Cignetti is just 26-2 as Head Coach of the Hoosiers, and this team is not satisfied. Their championship run is behind them, and they are ready to get right back to the National Title. Hoover will need to be a little more protective of the football, as 24 interceptions over the past two years is not going to cut it.
Arch Manning and the Longhorns are looking to get back to the CFP after missing out last year
No. 6 – Texas Longhorns (+775)
Continuing the top 10, we have the Texas Longhorns. As low as I am on Arch Manning, the Longhorns are still a very talented football team. The questions will be around the offensive line and the rushing attack, that averaged the fewest rushing yards per game of any Steve Sarkisian led team last year. This put extra pressure on the shoulders of Manning, causing him to slide down the Heisman odds board. I think we see something similar this season in Austin. Arch will have to prove me wrong.
No. 7 – Ole Miss Rebels (+2500)
Trinidad Chambliss is able to play for the Rebels this season, and he and Pete Golding will have a vengeance in mind. Everyone knows how Lane Kiffin abandoned this team in the middle of their CFP run last year to head to LSU. Golding stepped up and did a great job leading them to a CFP victory. However, with the returning players, including Kewan Lacy, they could make some noise. The problem is, three of the toughest games on their schedule are all on the road: at Florida, at Texas, and at Oklahoma.
No. 8 – Miami Hurricanes (+1100)
Darian Mensah is getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to lead the Hurricanes this upcoming season. I have not been impressed with him the past two years at Tulane and Duke, and now he fills the big shows Carson Beck left. It is going to be an easier schedule for the Hurricanes, but they still have to travel to Clemson and South Bend for their two toughest contests. Even if they squeak into the CFP, I see Mensah struggling against an SEC or Big Ten program.
Can John Mateer get the Sooners back into the CFP?
No. 9 – Oklahoma Sooners (+2000)
John Mateer was off to an incredible season before undergoing surgery on his throwing hand in 2025. After that, he never looked the same, but the QB is still a great dual threat, making plays with his legs consistently. Defensively, we know the Sooners will be fine. Brent Venables is one of the best defensive minds in the game, and he will have them ready to help take some pressure off Mateer. The Sooners face Michigan at the Big House, plus they're SEC schedule is daunting. At Georgia, vs. Texas, at Florida, vs. Ole Miss and vs. Texas A&M. Mateer will need to excel to have this team towards the top of the conference.
No. 10 – Texas A&M Aggies (+2200)
Marcel Reed is back to lead Mike Elko's squad, but he will have a different play caller, as former OC Collin Klein left to be the head coach at his alma mater, Kansas State. The Aggies have defense burned into their identity, but offensively they showed plenty of life last year. Will it be the same with Holmon Wiggins calling the shots? We'll find out in six short weeks.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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