Ohio State enters the 2026 season as the clear preseason favorite to claim the top ranking, buoyed by a loaded roster returning standout quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith after a 12-2 campaign that included a dominant Big Ten title. Recent Coaches Poll and media rankings place the Buckeyes at No. 1, ahead of Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame, reflecting strong returning production and coaching continuity under Ryan Day. Contenders like Indiana, coming off a surprising 2025 breakthrough, and Georgia, seeking deeper playoff runs, add depth to the race. Early nonconference schedules, injury reports, and Week 1 results in late August will quickly test these projections and shift implied probabilities as the season progresses.