College football preseason Top 25 rankings: Ohio State leads US LBM Coaches Poll

The US LBM Coaches Poll has officially released its preseason Top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season. According to reporting from USA Today, Ohio State has taken the lead in these rankings, securing the top spot. The New York Times further details that Oregon is also positioned at the top of the poll alongside Ohio State. Additionally, the coverage notes that Indiana has entered the season starting at the No. 6 position, marking a significant placement for the program as the preseason rankings are established across the national landscape. Various media outlets are analyzing the specific placements and voter sentiments behind these rankings. The New York Times and USA Today focus on the leadership of Ohio State and Oregon.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports provides a deeper dive into the perceived winners and losers of the poll, noting that voters have shown a particular fondness for Lane Kiffin. Conversely, Yahoo Sports reports that there is a level of skepticism among the voters regarding Indiana's standing, despite their high ranking of No. 6. KCCI and the Knoxville News Sentinel are also providing coverage, with the latter specifically examining where Tennessee football ranks to start the 2026 season. This development is critical as it sets the competitive expectations and perceived hierarchies before the 2026 season begins. The Coaches Poll serves as a primary benchmark for team prestige and potential playoff trajectories. The inclusion of Indiana at No. 6 represents a point of contention among voters, as indicated by the skepticism reported by Yahoo Sports.

The high rankings for Ohio State and Oregon establish them as the primary teams to beat, while the focus on Lane Kiffin suggests a strong confidence in his coaching trajectory heading into the new year. Moving forward, observers will look to see how these teams perform in their opening games to justify or challenge these preseason placements. The focus remains on whether Indiana can overcome the skepticism of the voters to maintain their No. 6 rank. Additionally, the performance of Ohio State and Oregon will determine if they can hold their positions at the top of the US LBM Coaches Poll. Coverage from sources like the Knoxville News Sentinel will continue to monitor the specific trajectory of Tennessee as the season unfolds based on these initial rankings.