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Featured Replies

  • Moderator
No.

This is not a computer-generated Top 25 ranking. Not ESPN's FPI or SP+.

This ranking comes from ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach's wet computer, his brain. Programming unknown.

Mark has eight B1G teams in his top 25: 1 Ohio State, 2 OREGON, 6 Indiana, 14 Michigan, 15 Penn State, 17 Washington, 19 Iowa, and 20 USC.

Comment from Heritage Hall - Go to 🤬!

I think the Trojans have a case. Iowa's schedule is the easiest in the Big Ten, but 18 starters have to be replaced, including the QB, Goronowski, who led the Hawkeyes to a bowl win over 10-2 Vanderbilt. And the Trojans play OBD and Ohio State in LA.

Mark's B1G Elite 8 as ranked by College Football News strength of schedule (SOS) rankings from 1 to 138.

6 OREGON, 7 Michigan, 15 USC, 17 Ohio State, 26 UW, 50 Indiana, 51 Penn State, and 55 Iowa. (The Buckeye ranking is lower than on many other sites.)

The Hoosiers are not sending out a scheduling SOS.

If Penn State finishes 10-2, I believe several 9-3 B1G teams will be better than the Nittany Lions.

Iowa State went 8-4 last season. How will the play of the 24 Iowa State players transferring to PSU fare in the Big Ten?

I will not be surprised if one or more Big Ten teams outside the top 25 make the PO Committee's final top 25.

I like: No. 3 Georgia being ranked above No. 5 Texas. Mississippi 9, Texas A+M 10, and LSU 11, I question. No. 16 Alabama and No. 25 Tennessee both have new starting QBs.

Alabama finished 125th in rushing last season. Will the former Oregon coach and new Bama OL coach, Adrian Klemm, make a significant difference?

Tennessee hired Jim Knowles as its DC. How did that work out at Penn State last season?

Their schedules and talent justify Notre Dame being ranked 4th, and Miami 7th.

I believe five B12 teams being ranked is generous. Although Utah's SOS is No. 54, Houston's is 64, and Texas Tech comes in at 65.

ESPN.com
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2026 college football Way-Too-Early Top 25: Spring update

With rosters settled and practices underway, we rank the top contenders for the 2026 college football season.
  • Administrator
No.
1 hour ago, Jon Joseph said:

I will not be surprised if one or more Big Ten teams outside the top 25 make the PO Committee's final top 25.

I look for Illinois to be a candidate to crack that....

Mr. FishDuck

No.

Read a Sports Illustrated web column earlier today that Georgia has an "easy" schedule and should go 12-0.

They will play 8 games in Georgia. 9 if they are in the SEC Championship.

Road trips

780 - Arkansas

400 - Ole Miss

275 - Alabama

165 - S. Carolina

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