2026 college football Way-Too-Early Top 25: Spring update - ESPN

In college football's NIL and transfer portal era, there's no debate the balance of power has shifted from the SEC to the Big Ten.

After SEC teams won four straight national titles from 2019 to 2022, Big Ten teams have won each of the past three: Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana.

The Hoosiers' perfect 16-0 season in 2025, which culminated with a 27-21 victory against Miami in the College Football National Championship game, might have been the best evidence that once-woebegone programs can change their fortunes with the right coach and budget.

Will the SEC end its «slide» in 2026? Will the Big Ten continue its dominance?

Those two leagues have seven of the top 10 teams in our updated Way-Too-Early Top 25, so it's a debate that will continue to play out until the final CFP game of January 2027.

These rankings have been updated from the initial rankings, which were published immediately after January's national championship game, based on player movement, coaching changes and developments this spring.

2025 record: 12-2, 9-0 Big Ten

Previous ranking: 6

Key players lost: S Caleb Downs, LB Arvell Reese, LB Sonny Styles, DE Caden Curry, DL Kayden McDonald, CB Davison Igbinosun, WR Carnell Tate, TE Max Klare

Key additions: S Earl Little Jr. (Florida State), DL James Smith (Alabama), DE Qua Russaw (Alabama), S Terry Moore (Duke), TE Hunter Welcing (Northwestern), WR Devin McCuin (UTSA), DT John Walker (UCF), LB Christian Alliegro (Wisconsin), WR Chris Henry Jr. (high school)

2026 outlook: With quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes should be back in the national championship hunt. OSU's offense is going to be difficult to stop, especially if its offensive line