College Football's Power Rankings Are Here, and the Big Ten Is Absolutely Stacked
Bill Connelly just dropped the 2026 SP+ rankings for all 138 FBS teams, and if you needed proof that the offseason has officially arrived in college football, this is it. These aren't your typical preseason polls, either. SP+ is a tempo and opponent-adjusted efficiency measure that's all about predicting the most sustainable and predictable parts of the game, not just who looks good on ESPN's top 10 list.
The Hoosiers Still Have Something to Say
Indiana finished last season at No. 1 and they're not going anywhere fast. The Hoosiers remain a top-five presence heading into 2026, but here's the thing: two other well-funded Big Ten powerhouses are leading the way right out of the gate. The conference is absolutely loaded, and these early projections show just how deep that talent runs across the Midwest.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiHow SP+ Actually Works
Connelly breaks down his methodology, and it's more nuanced than you might expect. He weighs four main factors when building these preseason projections:
- Returning production: Updated rosters account for transfers and attrition. Combine last year's SP+ ratings with current returning production numbers, and you've got your baseline.
- Recent history: A program's performance over time still matters. Teams that have been consistently good tend to stay that way, especially if they're spending big on their rosters.
- Recent recruiting: This tells you about the caliber of replacements and new stars coming in. Here's the wild part: recruiting rankings now make up just 1-2% of the formula, compared to 20-25% a decade ago. That's a seismic shift.
- Coaching changes: Comparing last season's output to a 20-year SP+ baseline gives a solid picture of what's coming next.
A Reminder: This Isn't the AP Poll
These projections aren't trying to predict what the AP Top 25 will look like come December. They're early offseason power rankings based on the information available right now. SP+ is predictive, not a résumé ranking. So take them for what they are: a snapshot of how efficient these teams figure to be before the real games start.
The full rankings for all 138 FBS teams are out now. Time to start the debates.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about .
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.