2026 College Football Preseason Rankings: Indiana, Ohio State and Title Favorites
College football analyst RJ Young detailed his preseason Ultimate 138 rankings during an appearance on FOX Sports’ First Things First on Tuesday, highlighting Indiana at No. 1, Ohio State at No. 2, and Notre Dame at No. 6. Young and host Danny Parkins broke down national title odds, Heisman contenders, and the modern financial landscape of the sport heading into the 2026 season.
Understanding the Ultimate 138 Methodology
Compiling a comprehensive preseason list requires evaluating every program against the baseline of winning every game and managing strength of schedule. According to Young, the Ultimate 138 rankings reflect the reverence the sport maintains for winning against the rate of perceived exertion as programs navigate the modern era of the sport. This evaluation sets the baseline for measuring parity across the country as rosters cap at 105 players and the transfer portal reshapes depth charts.
For athletic programs attempting to match this level of roster optimization, identifying talent gaps early is vital.
Indiana’s Title Defense and the Big Ten Landscape
Indiana enters the 2026 preseason holding the top spot in Young's rankings following a 27-2 run over the last two seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti. While Young is not picking the Hoosiers to repeat as national champions, he noted their capability to go back-to-back mirrors Georgia's 2022 squad.
The Big Ten stands as the premier conference in the sport, capturing three national titles in three years while the SEC has not been represented in a national championship game since 2022. Ohio State sits at No. 2 in Young’s rankings and No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, featuring Heisman contenders Julian Sayin at quarterback and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes host Indiana on October 17 in what Young describes as absolute cinema.
Notre Dame and the Quest for Consistency
Notre Dame claims a tie for the best odds to win the national title and features quarterback CJ Carr with the top Heisman odds, yet sits at No. 6 in Young’s preseason rankings. The Fighting Irish defense allowed just 17.6 points and 313 yards per game last year, anchored by cornerback Leonard Moore. However, the offense must replace first-round NFL Draft selections in the ground game and find production from tailback Aneyas Williams. According to the team’s historical metrics from last season, Notre Dame went 10-0 when rushing for at least 140 yards.
Contrasting Tier-One Title Contenders
Evaluating the top contenders highlights distinct roster compositions and statistical thresholds across elite programs heading into the autumn schedule.
| Program | Ultimate 138 Rank | Key Offensive Addition / Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | No. 1 | Added passer Josh Hoover; RB Turbo Richard |
| Ohio State | No. 2 | Heisman contenders QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith |
| Notre Dame | No. 6 | Must clear 140 rushing yards threshold (10-0 last year) |
| USC | Dark Horse | RBs King Miller and Waymond Jordan; 130-yard rushing threshold |
Dark Horses and High-Stakes Investments
USC emerges as a primary dark-horse candidate behind the offensive play-calling of Lincoln Riley and defensive play-calling of Gary Patterson. The Trojans return a backfield duo in King Miller and Waymond Jordan, maintaining a critical threshold of 130 rushing yards to secure victories. Meanwhile, LSU enters its opening matchup against Clemson under head coach Lane Kiffin, who commands a salary of $13 million or more annually following a reported $40 million roster investment for the 2026 season.
Managing high-stakes athletic investments and multi-million dollar institutional budgets requires rigorous legal and financial oversight.
The Future of Competitive Balance
The 2026 college football season introduces unprecedented parity driven by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collectives, transfer portal movement, and a 105-player roster cap. As skilled labor dictates outcomes across a flattened talent pool, teams play more games with younger contributors gaining experience earlier than ever before. This convergence of financial investment and tactical evolution sets the stage for the most competitive season of the sport we’ve ever seen.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.