ESPN's 'Way-Too-Early' Top 25 Is Missing 5 Teams and One ACC Squad Is About to Wreck the Playoff Race

Alright, Seattle, listen up! April brought us ESPN's "Way-Too-Early" Top 25 for the 2026 college football season, and honestly, it felt like déjà vu. The usual suspects, you know them: Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Michigan, all riding high. But come on, everyone knows the real magic of college football is the underdog story. There are five teams out there that ESPN is totally sleeping on, and if they're right, we're in for some serious chaos. This is what it's all about, right? The teams nobody expects making some noise.

Don't Count Out the Sun Devils and the Hokies' New Chapter

Let's kick this off with a team that knows a thing or two about bouncing back. The Arizona State Sun Devils had a rough 2025 after their Big 12 championship run in 2024. But here's the thing: nobody has repeated as Big 12 champs since Oklahoma did it ages ago, so it's a tough title to defend. Head coach Kenny Dillingham is a wizard with the transfer portal, replacing first-round NFL talent like Jordyn Tyson with guys like Omarion Miller from Colorado and Reed Harris from Boston College. Plus, they grabbed quarterback Cutter Boley from Kentucky to fill some big shoes. With Miller and Harris as weapons, Boley should be set to lead them back to Big 12 contention. Yeah, the schedule is brutal with Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and BYU, but big wins there could send them straight to the Big 12 title game and even the College Football Playoff. And then there's Virginia Tech. This could be a fascinating marriage with new head coach James Franklin. He gets a fresh start without the Penn State pressure, and the Hokies get a jolt of energy. Franklin is bringing some serious talent with him, like quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer, wide receiver Que'Sean Brown, and tight end Luke Reynolds. The ACC is wide open, despite some publications already crowning Miami. I'm not saying Virginia Tech is a guaranteed conference champion, but don't be shocked when they're bowl-eligible by Week 8 and pushing for a College Football Playoff at-large bid by rivalry week. Franklin knows how to light a fire under his players, and maybe this time he'll take down the big dogs instead of falling short.

Clemson's Return and the ACC's Wild West

How Clemson wasn't in the Top 25 is beyond me. They're usually a perennial lock! Yeah, head coach Dabo Swinney can be stubborn, but doubting him and his Tigers is a mistake, especially for teams like Miami or Louisville getting all the preseason love for the ACC. Swinney can still coach, and their recruiting class, including three top-30 wide receivers for 2026, was far from "abysmal." What's really interesting is his slight embrace of the transfer portal, bringing in 10 new players. If he gets them to gel, an upset victory over LSU to open the season could totally happen. Watch out, ACC! Speaking of the ACC, I keep saying it, that conference is more open than people realize. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are another team to watch. Alberto Mendoza, Fernando's little brother and former backup, is stepping up at quarterback for head coach Brent Key. He's got a killer backfield duo with Malachi Hosley and Michigan transfer Justice Haynes. A Week 2 clash with #25 Tennessee and a rivalry week game against Georgia are their chances to make a statement. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yellow Jackets hit eight wins, maybe even pushing ten this year. And let's not forget the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors in the Mountain West. Despite losing teams to the Pac-12, they finished 9-4 last year under coach Timmy Chang, with QB Micah Alejado as the conference freshman of the year. Both are back, and their roster retention could be key to a conference title run. So, while everyone's focused on the usual suspects, keep an eye on these five. This is where the magic happens, where the unexpected takes over. Get ready for some wild football, Seattle, because these teams are about to prove ESPN wrong!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.