Roman Harper says multiple CFP wins are Bama’s expectations (1:18)SEC Network’s Harper joins The Paul Finebaum Show to discuss where he wants to see the Crimson Tide improve to compete for a national title. (1:18)
Mark SchlabachApr 14, 2026, 07:00 AM ETCloseSenior college football writer Author of seven books on college football Graduate of the University of GeorgiaFollow on XMultiple Authors
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.
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.
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)
Key players lost: WR Malik Benson, OT Isaiah World, G Emmanuel Pregnon, TE Kenyon Sadiq, LB Bryce Boettcher, S Dillon Thieneman
Key players lost: WR Zachariah Branch, OT Monroe Freeling, LB CJ Allen, DT Christen Miller, CB Daylen Everette
Key players lost: RB Jeremiyah Love, RB Jadarian Price, WR Malachi Fields, TE Eli Raridon, OT Aamil Wagner, S Jalen Stroman
Key players lost: WR DeAndre Moore Jr., S Michael Taaffe, LB Anthony Hill Jr., DE Trey Moore, CB Malik Muhammad, CB Jaylon Guilbeau, RB Quintrevion Wisner
Key players lost: QB Fernando Mendoza, WR Elijah Sarratt, WR Omar Cooper Jr., C Pat Coogan, RB Roman Hemby, DL Stephen Daley, LB Aiden Fisher, SS Louis Moore, CB D’Angelo Ponds
Key additions: QB Josh Hoover (TCU), WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State), RB Turbo Richard (Boston College), DL Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State), S Preston Zachman (Wisconsin), CB A.J. Harris (Penn State), G Joe Brunner (Wisconsin)
Key players lost: QB Carson Beck, OT Francis Mauigoa, C James Brockermeyer, WR CJ Daniels, WR Keelan Marion, DE Rueben Bain Jr., DE Akheem Mesidor, LB Wesley Bissainthe, S Jakobe Thomas
Key players lost: DE David Bailey, NT Lee Hunter, DE Romello Height, LB Jacob Rodriguez, LB Bryce Ramirez, QB Behren Morton
Key additions: QB Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), WR Donte Lee Jr. (Liberty), WR Kenny Johnson (Pitt), WR Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), DL Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest), DE Trey White (San Diego State), DE Adam Trick (Miami, Ohio), LB Austin Romaine (Kansas State), OLB LaDamion Guyton (high school)
Key players lost: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, WR Harrison Wallace III, TE Dae’Quan Wright, OT Jayden Williams, DT Zxavian Harris, FS Wydette Williams Jr., LB TJ Dottery, G Devin Harper, DE Princewill Umanmielen
Key players lost: QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Barion Brown, WR Zavion Thomas, S A.J. Haulcy, DE Jack Pyburn, LB Harold Perkins Jr., CB Mansoor Delane, WR Aaron Anderson
Key players lost: DE R Mason Thomas, DT Gracen Halton, DE Marvin Jones Jr., DL Damonic Williams, LB Kendal Daniels, DB Robert Spears-Jennings, LB Sammy Omosigho
Key additions: DE John Henry Daley (Utah), CB Smith Snowden (Utah), DL Jonah Lea’ea (Utah), TE JJ Buchanan (Utah), S Chris Bracy (Memphis), LB Max Alford (BYU), RB Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma), WR Salesi Moa (Utah), WR Jaime Ffrench Jr. (Texas)
Key players lost: RB Kaytron Allen, RB Nicholas Singleton, QB Drew Allar, DT Zane Durant, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, S Zakee Wheatley, LB Amare Campbell, G Olaivavega Ioane, CB A.J. Harris
Key players lost: RB Jonah Coleman, OT Carver Willis, WR Denzel Boston, CB Tacario Davis, CB Ephesians Prysock, LB Deven Bryant, S Makell Esteen
Key additions: RB L.J. Phillips (South Dakota), WR Tony Diaz (Texas-Rio Grand Valley), WR Evan James (Furman), G Trent Wilson (James Madison), DE Kahmari Brown (Elon), DE Lance Ingold (Northern Illinois)
Key players lost: G Logan Parr, WR Jordan Hudson, WR Romello Brinson, RB T.J. Harden, RB Chris Johnson Jr., DL Jeffrey M’ba, S Isaiah Nwokobia, S Ahmaad Moses, DE Isaiah Smith, DE Cameron Robertson
Key players lost: QB Josh Hoover, WR Eric McAlister, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, S Bud Clark, TE DJ Rogers, LB Namdi Obiazor, C Coltin Deery, G Carson Bruno
Key players lost: TE Tanner Koziol, RB Dean Connors, DT Carlos Allen Jr., DE Eddie Walls III, CB Latrell McCutchin Sr., S Wrook Brown, LB Jalen Garner, K Ethan Sanchez
Key additions: OL Shadre Hurst (Tulane), OL Anthony Boswell (Toledo), S Javion White (Tulane), RB Makhi Hughes (Oregon), WR Trent Walker (Oregon State), CB Jalen Mayo (Stephen F. Austin), DE Ashton Porter (Oregon), DT Ejiroghene Egodogbare (Yale)
2026 outlook: After falling flat in the CFP for the second year in a row, the Ducks got an unexpected boost when quarterback Dante Moore — a potential top pick in the NFL draft — decided to return. They’ll have two new coordinators after Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi left for head coaching jobs at Kentucky and Cal, respectively. Coach Dan Lanning promoted Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator and Chris Hampton to defensive coordinator. The Ducks should be solid on defense after All-Big Ten selections A’Mauri Washington, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti decided to return, along with defensive tackle Bear Alexander. Perich was one of the best safeties in the FBS.
2026 outlook: The Bulldogs were the second-youngest team in the SEC in 2025, but coach Kirby Smart still managed to win the program’s second straight SEC title and reach the CFP again. Georgia went back to its bread and butter under Smart — running the ball and stopping the run. Quarterback Gunner Stockton is back after a solid first season as the starter, and persuading tailback Nate Frazier to stay was big. The defense should again be stingy, and Smart retooled the secondary with experienced transfers. The Bulldogs will play only four games outside the state of Georgia in 2026: at Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
2026 outlook: After missing the CFP, the Longhorns are going all-in for 2026, which might be quarterback Arch Manning’s final college season. The Longhorns added Coleman, the No. 1 receiver in the portal, to start opposite Ryan Wingo. After ranking 90th in the FBS in rushing in 2025, the Longhorns have to become more physical on offense. Getting star tackle Trevor Goosby back will help, while Brown and Smothers might be upgrades in the backfield. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and brought in former UT coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp, who was instrumental in helping Georgia win back-to-back CFP national titles in 2021 and ’22.
2026 outlook: After stunning the sport and collecting their first national title in 2025, the Hoosiers will have to replace Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, and several key players that coach Curt Cignetti brought with him from James Madison. The Hoosiers once again relied on the transfer portal to rebuild their roster. Hoover started 31 games at TCU and might be elite if he cuts down on his turnovers. Richard was an important addition with Hemby and Kaelon Black moving on. Getting star left tackle Carter Smith to return was significant. Yes, the Hoosiers are losing a lot, but it seems foolish to doubt Cignetti and his staff at this point.
2026 outlook: After reaching the CFP National Championship, it seemed like the Hurricanes would take a step back in 2026. But then Mensah went into the transfer portal at the eleventh hour and signed with Miami. He threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns as a sophomore at Duke. He’ll be a Heisman Trophy favorite running coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offense. The offense is loaded with tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. and star receiver Malachi Toney returning. The losses on the defensive line are significant, but adding Wilson (nine sacks in 2025) and Keona Davis (Nebraska) will help. Linebacker Mohamed Toure, the team’s leading tackler, returned for an eighth season in college.
2026 outlook: After their offense fell flat in the CFP, the Red Raiders spent big to upgrade that side of the ball. Sorsby was one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal and is a true dual threat. Running backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams are returning, and the Red Raiders grabbed a trio of speedy receivers out of the portal. The losses on defense are enormous, starting with Bailey, Hunter and Height up front. Ibirogba was ESPN’s No. 1-rated interior defensive lineman in the portal, and White and Trick were highly ranked on the edge. The Red Raiders will be counting on Romaine to fill in for the irreplaceable Rodriguez.
2026 outlook: Pete Golding took over for Lane Kiffin and directed the Rebels to the CFP semifinals last season. Then he helped them re-sign many of their best players, including All-SEC tailback Kewan Lacy and defensive tackle Will Echoles. The Rebels won a long court battle against the NCAA to get star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss another season of eligibility. The offense might operate at an even faster pace under new coordinator John David Baker. Young receivers will have to step up, and the Rebels will have to identify two new offensive tackles. Losing Umanmielen’s production on the edge hurts, and the Rebels added Blake Purchase (Oregon) and Jordan Renaud (Alabama) to help.
2026 outlook: The Aggies started 11-0 last season and seemed to be on their way to one of the best seasons in program history until two late losses slowed down momentum. Still, the Aggies seem to be built to last under second-year coach Mike Elko, who went back into the portal to rebuild his roster. Texas A&M had heavy losses on both the offensive and defensive lines. Quarterback Marcel Reed is coming back and needs to be more consistent. He’ll benefit from receiver Mario Craver re-signing. Holmon Wiggins takes over the playcalling on offense after Collin Klein left for Kansas State, and Lyle Hemphill is now in charge of the defense.