Big Ten Dominates Preseason AP Top 25 as Ohio State, Oregon Take Top Spots; Iowa Ranked No. 22

The Big Ten Conference is flexing its muscles in the 2026 college football preseason AP Top 25, with Ohio State and Oregon claiming the top two spots for the first time since 1961. The Hawkeyes landed at No. 22, giving the conference eight ranked teams and setting up what promises to be a thrilling season for Iowa fans.

Ohio State enters the season as the No. 1 team in the nation, receiving 40 of 69 first-place votes. The Buckeyes are followed by Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas to round out the top five. The SEC boasts nine ranked teams, but the Big Ten's eight show the conference's depth after winning the last three national championships.

Iowa Hawkeyes Ready for a Strong 2026 Campaign

Iowa fans have reason for optimism as the Hawkeyes enter the season ranked No. 22. While the team faces a challenging road ahead, the ranking reflects confidence in the program's ability to compete at a high level. The Hawkeyes will look to build on their tradition of strong defense and physical play as they navigate a demanding Big Ten schedule.

Ohio State and Oregon Set the Pace at the Top

Ohio State starts a season at No. 1 for the ninth time in program history, though the Buckeyes have never finished a season in that position when starting there. Head coach Ryan Day's squad features the most productive receiver in the nation in Jeremiah Smith and one of the most accurate passers in quarterback Julian Sayin.

Oregon, meanwhile, has the look of a team ready to break through and win its first national championship. The Ducks return eight starters on defense and six on offense, including quarterback Dante Moore. Head coach Dan Lanning believes his team is poised for a special run.

“I think that speaks volumes about our league, especially when you're talking about repeat games within our league,” Lanning said. “We have some unbelievable coaches, great teams. There's a lot of things we studied with ourselves in this offseason.”

Key Matchups to Watch Early in the Season

The opening weeks of the season feature several marquee matchups that will shape the national title picture. Week 1 brings the inaugural Music City Kickoff game in Nashville, where No. 9 Ole Miss faces No. 24 Louisville at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 6.

Week 2 delivers a pair of heavyweight showdowns between the Big Ten and SEC. Texas will host Ohio State in a rematch of last year's Week 1 thriller, while Oklahoma travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan. Both games are rematches of contests won by the home team last season.

Clemson Falls Out of Preseason Rankings for First Time Since 2011

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the preseason poll is Clemson's absence from the Top 25. The Tigers, who received the most points among teams left out, are coming off a disappointing 7-6 season, their worst since 2010. Clemson will get an immediate test when they open the season at No. 11 LSU on Sept. 5.

Indiana Looks to Defend National Title

The defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers enter the season at No. 6 after a historic 16-0 run last year. However, the Hoosiers lost eight players to the NFL, including Heisman winner and first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Despite the losses, Indiana remains a contender in the expanded College Football Playoff era.

SEC Depth vs. Big Ten Dominance

The debate over conference supremacy continues to heat up. The SEC has nine ranked teams compared to the Big Ten's eight, but the Big Ten has won the last three national titles. Voters clearly believe the Big Ten is the nation's premier conference, with Ohio State and Oregon leading the charge.

The first regular-season AP Top 25 poll will be released at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 8, after the opening two weekends of college football. After that, the poll will drop every Sunday at 2 p.m. ET through the end of the regular season.

What's Next for College Football Fans?

The College Football Playoff bracket would open with intriguing matchups based on the preseason rankings. The final regular-season poll will be released Dec. 6, right before the playoff bracket is revealed, and the final AP Top 25 of the season will come after the national championship game on Jan. 26.

For Iowa fans, the road to the playoff begins with a challenging conference schedule. The Hawkeyes will need to win the close games and get strong quarterback play to exceed expectations and make a run at the Big Ten title.