Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) throws over the outstretched arm of Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3.
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) throws over the outstretched arm of Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3.
Jun 26, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT
CFB power rankings: Top 5 teams in 2026
The Sporting News put out its post-spring top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season. Bill Bender ranked every major program after spring ball wrapped up. Here is a look at the five teams sitting at the top.
1. Indiana Hoosiers
2025 Record: 15-0
The defending national champions sit at the top, and it is hard to argue with them. Curt Cignetti has gone 27-2 over the last two seasons.
Indiana added TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Boston College running back Turbo Richard, and Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh through the portal to keep the machine running. Hoover is expected to step in and carry an offense that was historically efficient a year ago.
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
2025 Record: 12-2
Julian Sayin was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season. He is back. Jeremiah Smith had 1,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore and is already being talked about as the best non-quarterback in college football.
Running back Bo Jackson returns, and five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. is coming in to give this offense even more depth. Arthur Smith takes over as offensive coordinator. The talent level in Columbus is still almost impossible to match, per the Sporting News.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
2025 Record: 12-2
Kirby Smart's program keeps rolling. Gunner Stockton is the man at quarterback, with Nate Frazier carrying the backfield and London Humphreys as the top receiver target.
Defensively, linebacker Raylen Wilson and safety KJ Bolden are both projected first-round draft picks who chose to return. Georgia's defense is going to give people nightmares again in 2026.
4. Texas Longhorns
2025 Record: 10-3
Arch Manning is back, and the receiver room around him is better than it has ever been. Auburn transfer Cam Coleman joins Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley in what is shaping up to be one of the most loaded passing attacks in the country.
The backfield also got a boost with Arizona State's Raleek Brown and NC State's Hollywood Smothers coming in. Steve Sarkisian has this program loaded.
5. Notre Dame
2025 Record: 10-2
Marcus Freeman has built something real in South Bend. Quarterback CJ Carr is back after throwing for 2,751 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions last season. He is already being talked about as one of the early Heisman favorites heading into fall.
On the other side of the ball, All-American cornerback Leonard Moore and senior linebacker Drayk Bowen lead a defense that looks ready to compete with anyone.
Do you agree with Indiana sitting at No. 1 heading into 2026? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Farheen Fathima
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore