# 2026 College Football preseason rankings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-college-football-preseason-rankings > Updated: 2026-07-30T21:44:55.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-30: Oregon Ducks face toughest 2026 trap game at Michigan State amid Japan showcase and recruiting buzz Oregon Ducks' 2026 season hinges on a risky Michigan State trap game after Ohio State and Michigan, a Japan showcase for brand growth, and five‑star recruit Kendre Harrison poised to start. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-second-in-espns-2026-big-ten-odds-trailing-ohio-state ### 2026-07-11: ESPN releases 2026 college football FPI rankings, Ohio State tops list ESPN's 2026 college football FPI rankings put Ohio State first, Indiana sixth, and rate Colorado 10th in the Big 12 and 45th nationally. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/espn-releases-2026-college-football-fpi-rankings-ohio-state-tops-list --- Cite as: 2026 College Football preseason rankings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-college-football-preseason-rankings