Ohio State Tops Preseason College Football Power Rankings With Iowa on the Schedule

After an offseason full of congressional hearings, eligibility lawsuits and a high-profile gambling scandal, the 2026 college football season finally kicks off when North Carolina plays TCU in Dublin on Aug. 29. For Iowa fans, the road to the College Football Playoff runs through Columbus, and the Buckeyes are the team to beat.

Ohio State is No. 1 in ESPN's preseason Power Rankings, followed by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 4 Oregon and No. 5 Texas. The Buckeyes will attempt to win their second CFP national championship in the past three seasons and become the fourth straight Big Ten school to win the title. That hasn't happened since SEC teams did it from 2019 to 2022.

For the first time since Indiana took down Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19, coaches, not judges, will decide who can take the field. And the NCAA won't be the only ones taking weekly losses.

Why Iowa Fans Should Pay Attention to Ohio State

The Buckeyes come to Kinnick Stadium this season, and they bring one of the most loaded rosters in the country. Quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and receiver Jeremiah Smith return, giving Ohio State an explosive offense. Ryan Day has to replace eight starters on defense, including four selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft.

With road games at Texas, Iowa, Indiana and USC, plus home contests against Oregon and Michigan, Ohio State will navigate one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS. For the Hawkeyes, a home upset of the No. 1 team would be a program-defining moment and a massive boost for head coach Kirk Ferentz's squad.

Georgia Looks to Rebound After Playoff Disappointments

With the Bulldogs following SEC titles with quarterfinal exits in the CFP the past two seasons, coach Kirby Smart's team might be flying under the radar. Quarterback Gunner Stockton should be better in his second season as a starter, and the Bulldogs have tons of star power on defense. But can they generate a disruptive pass rush? Georgia ranked last in the SEC in sacks with 20 in 2025. Linebackers Chris Cole, Chase Linton and Quintavius Johnson are three names to know.

Notre Dame Aims to Leave No Doubt

After being left out of the CFP at the end of the 2025 season, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is telling his team to leave no doubt this season. Undoubtedly, the Irish will miss explosive running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who combined for 2,046 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns last season. Aneyas Williams steps into a starting role, and quarterback CJ Carr might have to be even more potent in the passing game.

Oregon Has Unfinished Business

After falling in the CFP to each of the past two national champions, the Ducks have unfinished business in 2026. That's one of the reasons quarterback Dante Moore bypassed the NFL draft and returned to Eugene. Can Dan Lanning's team get over the hump in 2026? The Ducks play at Ohio State on Nov. 7, but they won't face Indiana, unless the teams meet up in the postseason.

What This Means for the Big Ten and Iowa

The Big Ten has dominated college football recently, and this season looks no different. With Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana all ranked in the top tier, the conference is poised to send multiple teams to the playoff. For Iowa, the schedule offers a chance to make a statement. A win over Ohio State would not only shake up the power rankings but also put the Hawkeyes squarely in the national conversation.

Iowa's defense, known for its physicality and discipline, will need to contain Sayin and Smith if the Hawkeyes hope to pull off the upset. The game in Iowa City could be the defining moment of the season for both teams.

As the season approaches, one thing is clear: college football is back, and the stakes have never been higher.