Crain & Cone College Football 2026 Way-Too-Early Top-25 RANKING
Jan 21, 2026
The hosts dive into their Way-Too-Early Top-25 rankings for 2026 college football. They share insights on team methodologies, including player retention and coaching trust. Indiana grabs the top spot, praised for roster moves and a favorable schedule. Notre Dame's manageable slate and Georgia's talent are hot topics, alongside Ohio State's defensive challenges. Texas' roster changes spark excitement, while Texas Tech faces concerns over defensive losses. The discussion wraps up with dark-horse candidates and coaching shifts that may influence the rankings.
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Combine Metrics For Early Projections
- Use multiple metrics (retention, portal, schedule, coaching) when projecting future team strength.
- Average expert rankings then discuss edge cases to form a consensus list.
Ohio State's Reloading Strength
- Ohio State's depth lets them reload on both sides, but losing key defenders raises defensive concerns.
- The offense returns elite pieces, making the Buckeyes a perennial contender.
Texas: Talent Meets Tough Tests
- Texas will be dangerous because of Arch Manning and heavy portal recruiting, but expectations must be tempered after 2025.
- Their SEC schedule still presents major tests on the road.