The Rise of Indiana and the 2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25

The 2025 college football season was one for the ages, with Indiana making history by becoming the first FBS program to lose 700 games and still win a national championship. The Hoosiers defeated No. 10 Miami 27-21 in Monday night’s CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. This victory not only secured their first national title but also marked them as the first team to go 16-0 in a season in the modern era.

With such an incredible turnaround, it’s no surprise that Indiana is ranked No. 1 in the first edition of the 2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25. Coach Curt Cignetti and his staff will have to replace many of their best players, but they’ve proven they can evaluate, develop and coach better than most.

Here is the 2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25:

1. Indiana Hoosiers
2. 2025 record: 16-0, 9-0 Big Ten
3. Key starters expected to leave: QB Fernando Mendoza, WR Elijah Sarratt, C Pat Coogan, RB Roman Hemby, DL Stephen Daley, LB Aiden Fisher, SS Louis Moore
4. Key additions: QB Josh Hoover (TCU), WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State), RB Turbo Richard (Boston College), DL Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State), S Preston Zachman (Wisconsin), CB A.J. Harris (Penn State), G Joe Brunner (Wisconsin)

5. 2026 outlook: The greatest turnaround in college football history culminated with Indiana winning its first national championship Monday night. Now, the Hoosiers will have to replace Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, and several key players coach Curt Cignetti brought with him from James Madison. The Hoosiers signed 53 transfers over the past two seasons, and they’re bringing in at least a dozen more this year. Hoover, who started 31 games for the Horned Frogs, could be elite if he cuts down on turnovers. Richard was an important addition with Hemby and Kaelon Black moving on. IU has a handful of other starters, including receiver Omar Cooper Jr., cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and left tackle Carter Smith, who might depart for the NFL. The Hoosiers are losing a lot, but it seems foolish to doubt Cignetti at this point.

6. Texas Longhorns

7. 2025 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
8. Key starters expected to leave: WR DeAndre Moore Jr., S Michael Taaffe, LB Anthony Hill Jr., DE Trey Moore, CB Malik Muhammad, CB Jaylon Guilbeau, RB Quintrevion Wisner
9. Key additions: WR Cam Coleman (Auburn), RB Hollywood Smothers (NC State), RB Raleek Brown (NC State), LB Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh), CB Bo Mascoe (Rutgers), OT Melvin Siani (Wake Forest)

10. 2026 outlook: After missing the CFP, the Longhorns are going all-in for 2026, which might be quarterback Arch Manning’s final college season. After a slow start, Manning had a solid campaign in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The Longhorns added Coleman, the No. 1 receiver in the portal, to start opposite Ryan Wingo. Texas ranked 90th in the FBS in rushing in 2025, averaging 137.8 yards per game. The Longhorns have to become more physical on offense, which starts up front, and getting star tackle Trevor Goosby back will help. Brown and Smothers were upgrades in the backfield. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and brought in former UT coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp, who was instrumental in helping Georgia win back-to-back CFP national titles in 2021 and 2022.

11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

12. 2025 record: 10-2
13. Key starters expected to leave: RB Jeremiyah Love, RB Jadarian Price, WR Malachi Fields, TE Eli Raridon, OT Aamil Wagner, S Jalen Stroman
14. Key additions: DT Francis Brewu (Pittsburgh), DL Keon Keeley (Alabama), CB Jayden Sanders (Michigan), CB DJ McKinney (Colorado), WR Quincy Porter (Ohio State), WR Mylan Graham (Ohio State), K Spencer Porath (Purdue), DL Tionne Gray (Oregon)

15. 2026 outlook: After being left out of the CFP, the Fighting Irish should be right back in the mix in 2026. There’s no question the Irish will miss Love and Price, who combined to run for 2,046 yards with 29 touchdowns this past season. Aneyas Williams, who averaged 9.3 yards per carry, is the heir apparent. Quarterback CJ Carr should be even better in his second season as a starter, especially if the Irish can get Graham and Porter going, and Jaden Greathouse returns from a hamstring injury. Nine of the defense’s top 10 tacklers are back from 2025. Brewu and Keeley were important additions on the defensive line. Notre Dame figures to be heavily favored in all but two games: home against Miami and at BYU. There’s little room for error playing a schedule that will be heavily scrutinized when it’s CFP selection time. As Irish coach Marcus Freeman said this week, it’s his team’s responsibility to “leave no doubt.”

16. Georgia Bulldogs

17. 2025 record: 12-2, 7-1 SEC
18. Key starters expected to leave: WR Zachariah Branch, OT Monroe Freeling, LB CJ Allen, DT Christen Miller, CB Daylen Everette
19. Key additions: WR Isiah Canion (Georgia Tech), S Ja’Marley Riddle (East Carolina), CB Gentry Williams (Oklahoma), DE Amaris Williams (Auburn), S Khalil Barnes (Clemson)

20. 2026 outlook: The Bulldogs were the second-youngest team in the SEC in 2025, but coach Kirby Smart still managed to win the program’s second straight SEC title and reached the CFP again. Georgia is going to need young receivers such as Talyn Taylor and CJ Wiley to produce with Branch, Noah Thomas, Colbie Young and Dillon Bell leaving. The offensive line should be very good again, even with Freeling entering the NFL draft. Getting tailback Nate Frazier to re-sign was important. The Bulldogs needed to revamp their secondary, especially at safety, and they did that by adding Barnes, Riddle, Williams and cornerback Braylon Conley (USC). The Bulldogs will play only four games outside the state of Georgia in 2026: at Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina.

21. Oregon Ducks

22. 2025 record: 13-2, 8-1 Big Ten
23. Key starters expected to leave: WR Malik Benson, OT Isaiah World, G Emmanuel Pregnon, TE Kenyon Sadiq, LB Bryce Boettcher, S Dillon Thieneman
24. Key additions: QB Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), OT Michael Bennett (Yale), S Koi Perich (Minnesota), WR Iverson Hooks (UAB), S Carl Williams IV (Baylor)

25. 2026 outlook: For all the good Dan Lanning has done in four seasons as Oregon’s coach — and there has been plenty with a 48-8 record — it still seems like the Ducks are trying to get over the hump in the CFP. The Ducks got a major boost for doing that in 2026 when quarterback Dante Moore, considered a potential No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, decided to return for another season. Lanning will have two new coordinators after Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi left to become the head coach at Kentucky and Cal, respectively. Lanning promoted Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator and Chris Hampton to defensive coordinator. The Ducks should be solid on defense after All-Big Ten selections A’Mauri Washington, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti decided to return, along with defensive tackle Bear Alexander. Newcomer Perich was one of the best safeties in the FBS as a true freshman last season.

26. Ohio State Buckeyes

27. 2025 record: 12-2, 9-0 Big Ten
28. Key starters expected to leave: S Caleb Downs, LB Arvell Reese, LB Sonny Styles, DE Caden Curry, DL Kayden McDonald, CB Davison Igbinosun, WR Carnell Tate, TE Max Klare
29. Key additions: S Earl Little Jr. (Florida State), DL James Smith (Alabama), DE Qua Russaw (Alabama), S Terry Moore (Duke), TE Hunter Welcing (Northwestern), WR Devin McCuin (UTSA), DT John Walker (UCF), LB Christian Alliegro (Wisconsin), K Connor Hawkins (Baylor)

30. 2026 outlook: On paper, with quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, one would think the Buckeyes would be just as good in 2026. But along with having to replace key players on defense, Ohio State will face one of the most demanding schedules in the FBS next season. The Buckeyes will play road games at Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and USC and home contests against Illinois, Michigan and Oregon. It doesn’t get much tougher than that. That being said, OSU’s offense is going to be difficult to stop, especially if its offensive line improves. Coach Ryan Day still hasn’t named a replacement for coordinator Brian Hartline, who left to become South Florida’s coach. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has some plug-and-play transfers in Little, Moore, Russaw and Smith.

31. Texas Tech Red Raiders

32. 2025 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12
33. Key starters expected to leave: DE David Bailey, NT Lee Hunter, DE Romello Height, LB Jacob Rodriguez, LB Bryce Ramirez, QB Behren Morton
34. Key additions: QB Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), WR Donte Lee Jr. (Liberty), WR Kenny Johnson (Pitt), WR Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), DL Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest), DE Trey White (San Diego State), DE Adam Trick (Miami, Ohio), LB Austin Romaine (Kansas State)

35. 2026 outlook: After Texas Tech’s No. 1-ranked transfer portal class helped it win its first outright conference title since 1955, the Red Raiders went back into the portal to reload, which figures to happen every season as long as there’s natural gas and oil in the Lonestar State. Sorsby was the biggest pickup, after Tech’s offense flopped in a 23-0 loss to Oregon in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Running backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams are returning, and the Red Raiders grabbed a trio of speedy receivers out of the portal. The losses on defense are enormous, starting with Bailey, Hunter and Height up front. Ibirogba was sportify’s No. 1-rated interior defensive linemen, and White and Trick were highly ranked on the edge. The Red Raiders will be counting on Romaine to fill in for the irreplaceable Rodriguez.

36. Miami Hurricanes

37. 2025 record: 13-3, 6-2 ACC
38. Key starters expected to leave: QB Carson Beck, OT Francis Mauigoa, C James Brockermeyer, WR CJ Daniels, WR Keelan Marion, DE Rueben Bain Jr., DE Akheem Mesidor, LB Mohamed Toure, LB Wesley Bissainthe, S Jakobe Thomas
39. Key additions: DL Jarquez Carter (Ohio State), WR Cam Vaughn (West Virginia), WR Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina), S Omar Thornton (Boston College)

40. 2026 outlook: After reaching the CFP National Championship, the Hurricanes are losing many of their best players. It seemed like they’d take a step back in 2026, but then Duke quarterback Darian Mensah went into the transfer portal at the 11th hour. He threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns and 6 interceptions as a sophomore. He would be a Heisman Trophy favorite running coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offense if he ends up in Miami. Getting tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. to return, along with star receiver Malachi Toney, will help. The losses on the defensive line are significant, with Bain and Mesidor projected as potential first-round picks in the NFL draft. Toure, Bissainthe and Thomas were the team’s leading tacklers going into Monday night’s game.

41. Ole Miss Rebels

42. 2025 record: 13-2, 7-1 SEC
43. Key starters expected to leave: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, WR Harrison Wallace III, G Patrick Kutas, TE Dae’Quan Wright, OT Jayden Williams, DT Zxavier Harris, FS Wydett Williams Jr., LB TJ Dottery, G Devin Harper, DE Princewill Umanmielen
44. Key additions: QB Deuce Knight (Auburn), TE Brady Prieskorn (Michigan), OT Carius Curne (LSU), S Joenel Aguero (Georgia), CB Sharif Denson (Florida), DL Michai Boireau (Florida), CB Jay Crawford (Auburn), S Edwin Joseph (Florida State), LB Keaton Thomas (Baylor), DE Jordan Renaud (Alabama), DE Blake Purchase (Oregon)

45. 2026 outlook: Pete Golding took over for Lane Kiffin and directed the Rebels to the CFP semifinals. Then he helped them re-sign many of their best players, including All-SEC tailback Kewan Lacy and defensive tackle Will Echoles, and add two dozen players out of the portal to fill holes. The Rebels would have been ranked higher if an NCAA committee had approved quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ waiver for a sixth year of eligibility. Ole Miss officials have appealed the ruling, and Chambliss’ attorney filed a lawsuit in state court last Friday. The Rebels signed a pair of insurance policies if Chambliss is done: Knight and Louisiana’s Walker Howard, who previously spent two seasons at Ole Miss. Golding grabbed a few experienced defensive backs to shore up the secondary, which needs to tackle better. Umanmielen is expected to enter the transfer portal Tuesday — his official entry is delayed because of the weekend and Monday holiday — and become the fourth Rebel to join Kiffin at LSU.

46. Texas A&M Aggies

    • 2025 record: 11-2, 7-1 SEC
    • Key starters expected to leave: WR KC Concepcion, OT Trey Zuhn III, G Chase Bisontis, OT Dametrious Crownover, DE Cashius Howell, LB Taurean York, CB Will Lee III, DT Albert Regis, DT Tyler Onyedim
    • Key additions: WR Isaiah Horton (Alabama), OT Wilkin Formby (Alabama), OT Tyree Adams (LSU), G Trovon Baugh (South Carolina), DE Anto Saka (Northwestern), DL Angelo McCullom (Illinois), CB Rickey Gibson (Tennessee), S Tawfiq Byard (Colorado)
    • 2026 outlook: Second-year coach Mike Elko guided the Aggies to an 11-0 start, and they seemed to be on their way to one of the best seasons in program history. But a 27-17 loss to rival Texas in the regular-season finale and 10-3 defeat to Miami at home in a CFP first-round game ruined the ending. Still, the Aggies seem built to last under Elko, who went back into the portal to rebuild his roster. Texas A&M had heavy losses on both the offensive and defensive lines. Elko signed four former starting offensive linemen from SEC schools and picked up promising pass rusher Saka and CJ Mims from North Carolina. Quarterback Marcel Reed is coming back and needs to be more consistent. He’ll benefit from receiver Mario Craver re-signing. Holmon Wiggins takes over the playcalling on offense after Collin Klein left for Kansas State, and Lyle Hemphill is in charge of the defense.