RANKINGS: Ohio State Takes the Top Spot in the JPWest Media Preseason Top 25

Ohio State edges Oregon for the top spot; Reigning National Champ Indiana lands at No. 6

The JPWest Media Preseason Top 25 is officially here.

After collecting six polls from the JPWest Media Reporters, Ohio State claims the No. 1 ranking heading into the 2026 season, narrowly ahead of Oregon.

Texas, Georgia, and Notre Dame round out the top five.

Here’s the full JPWest Media Preseason Top 25:

JPWest Media 2026 Preseason Top 25

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Texas
4. Georgia
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana
7. Miami
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas A&M
10. Oklahoma
11. LSU
12. Alabama
13. Texas Tech
14. USC
15. BYU
16. Michigan
17. Penn State
18. SMU
19. Washington
20. Tennessee
21. Utah
22. Missouri
23. Florida
24. Iowa
25. Clemson

Also receiving votes: Louisville, Houston, TCU, California