EA Sports College Football 26 is right around the corner, and the hype is building. The college football Top 25 is a place every team wants to be duri2342
ng the season. In the video game, they indicate the teams you’d want to venture into multiplayer with. Barring changes and the two to three teams we’re entirely wrong about, these should be the top 25 teams in College Football 26.
Good But Not Great
Most of these teams have at least one weakness that could cost you. But hey, you get points for not using the same teams everyone else uses.
25. TCU
TCU has a second-year quarterback in Josh Hoover and ended 2024 hot, winning six of its last seven. The defense should be good enough to cause some problems. The issue here is consistency. That’s not usually a good thing in sports video games.
24. Iowa State
The better and more interesting Iowa team by far; yeah, I said it. But Iowa State had many things go right for it last year. Among them was the performance of quarterback Rocco Becht, who dramatically outperformed his advanced metrics. It will be interesting to see what his game rating is.
23. Oklahoma
The Sooners are a team I don’t like at all on the actual field this year. But in College Football 26, they have enough talented players to be a formidable team to use. If you’re playing Dynasty, quite a few SEC teams will be better than Oklahoma.
22. Indiana
Can the Hoosiers match last year’s incredible run? I’m optimistic, but not more than 22nd-ranked optimistic. Indiana improved its offensive line through the portal, which will make a difference in online games.
21. SMU
Like Indiana, the Mustangs want to duplicate a surprise run to the CFP. SMU added a lot in the transfer portal to do just that. On the field, it will take time for that to gel, but in a video game, it’s all about attributes. SMU should be fun to play with.
20. BYU
BYU is one of the teams I feel I could be wrong about. They overperformed their advanced metrics in 2024, which doesn’t usually lead to a repeat performance. I worry about the players’ ratings in College Football 26—BYU could be a very average team in the game.
19. Kansas State
I’m admittedly not a Big 12 fan most of the time. Kansas State is an exception. They have dynamic players at skill positions, making the Wildcats compelling in College Football 26. Avery Johnson could be a monster in Ultimate Team if he gets a good card.
Playoff Contenders If Everything Goes Right
18. Texas Tech
With the second-best transfer class, Texas Tech has reloaded with the portal well. The defense was soft in 2024, likely making it vulnerable in College Football 26. If you use Texas Tech, you’ll need to score a lot of points.
17. Arizona State
Quarterback play matters a lot in College Football 26. The Sun Devils are really strong at that position. In addition, they return almost all of their defense. This will be a fun option for players who prefer not to use the typical powers.
16. Ole Miss
Ole Miss has a lot of new players in 2025, which should make them a risky option in the game. That includes the quarterback position, where Jaxson Dart gives way to newcomer Austin Simmons. The defense isn’t great, so score a lot of points with the Rebels.
15. South Carolina
No team seems consistently on the verge of greatness more. No team comes up short of that potential more often. Is this the year things are different? The Gamecocks have a ton of talent and had a great year in the portal. They could make some noise in the SEC, and will be a formidable team in College Football 26.
14. Illinois
The Illini won ten games in 2024, and they return most of their key players. I feel like the only reason people aren’t talking about Illinois more is that Indiana was such a great story. A great head-to-head option in College Football 26. Don’t be surprised if they end the year higher on this list.
College Football Playoff Contenders
These teams all feel like they should be in the CFP in 2025. In College Football 26, they’ll all be strong teams with few weaknesses. The most significant difference is in defense, where the quality increases in most cases.
13. Tennessee
The Vols led the SEC in drama in the offseason. Gone is Nico Iamaleava. In his place is an experienced arm in Joey Aguilar. There’s enough talent here to make them strong in the game. On the field? That’s another story.
12. Florida
The Gators will be as good as quarterback DJ Lagway is. Bank on that to be true in College Football 26, too. If he’s rated lower than anticipated, the Gators won’t be as good an option.
11. Michigan
The Wolverines showed a lot in the final weeks of 2024. In 2025, they get a huge upgrade at quarterback. It’ll be either transfer Mikey Keene or Bryce Underwood. Either way, Michigan should be a lot more dynamic in the game.
10. Alabama
If Alabama weren’t Alabama, would this team be considered elite? In College Football 26, yes. There is so much talent here that the ratings will be outstanding. The Crimson Tide is one of the teams that will play much better in the game than on the field.
9. Miami
Carson Beck is good if he’s healthy. The significant factor with the Hurricanes is the insane amount of talent they have. They’re fast and skilled, two things that help you dominate in College Football 26.
8. Notre Dame
There’s a question mark at quarterback, which keeps the Irish outside the elite category. That said, they’re still really skilled and will be a good option for players who like balanced teams.
The College Football 26 Elite
All of these teams are amazing. They’re fast, skilled, and will swarm the ball on defense. You’ll see a lot of these teams on a regular basis in Head-to-Head games.
7. Clemson
The Tigers are the class of the ACC. They’re loaded with talent, and that will result in them being elite in the game. Their quarterback should be one of the best-rated at the position in College Football 26.
6. LSU
The Tigers added 18 players via the transfer portal. LSU doesn’t add bad players in the transfer portal. The offensive line is strong, buying time for you to do massive damage with the tremendous skill they have on offense.
5. Oregon
They’re Oregon; the team will be loaded on offense and contend for the Big Ten title. The Ducks have a slight question mark at quarterback with Dante Moore taking over for Dillon Gabriel, so let’s see what his attributes are before moving Oregon up this list.
4. Penn State
You can legitimately argue that Penn State has the best team in college football. In College Football 26, they’ll have almost no weaknesses. I just see Ohio State and Texas being rated slightly higher than the Nittany Lions.
3. Georgia
The Bulldogs won the SEC championship in 2024 and will likely be even better in 2025. Georgia is one of the teams that simply reloads and is loaded with skill everywhere. You won’t go wrong in an online game with a Kirby Smart team.
2. Texas
The Arch Manning era begins in Austin. In College Football 26, you’ll dominate with Texas’s skill and speed. I imagine a lot of Texas vs Ohio State games being played this year in the game.
1. Ohio State
Ohio State lost many star players to the NFL. Don’t worry; they just replaced them with all-new star players. The new quarterback is a former 5-star recruit. Penn State might be better on the field, but I see Ohio State getting a lot of love in College Football 26. They will almost certainly be the best team available to use online.
