2026 College Football preseason rankings

ESPN released its 2026 college football FPI rankings, placing Ohio State at the top of the list. In the following weeks, ESPN’s preseason projections for the Big Ten conference showed the Oregon Ducks as the second‑most likely team to win the conference, with a 24% chance, while Ohio State retained the lead with a 39% probability. The detailed odds also noted Indiana in third place and highlighted a potential “trap” game for Oregon against Michigan State later in the season.

Analysts now flag the November 20 matchup at Michigan State as Oregon’s toughest “trap game.” Coming off back‑to‑back contests with Ohio State and Michigan, the Ducks will have only a one‑week preparation window, raising upset risk according to CBS Sports and fan site Addicted To Quack. The program is also expanding its brand internationally; in late June the team visited Tokyo, where head coach Dan Lanning and several players took part in a showcase that drew about 300 fans and featured billboards in Shibuya and Shinjuku, a marketing push tied to the NIL landscape. Recruiting optimism grew with the addition of five‑star tight end Kendre Harrison from Charlotte, who is being touted as a potential starter for the 2026 season.