The 2026 college football season has officially arrived, and the first full weekend of action has already given fans plenty to talk about. Several highly ranked teams looked every bit like championship contenders, while others were pushed harder than expected. With Week 1 still unfolding, attention is quickly turning toward the next edition of the Associated Press Top 25.

Ohio State entered the season at No. 1 in the AP Top 25, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas. That preseason order reflected the expectations surrounding some of the nation’s biggest programs, but the opening weekend has already provided reasons to believe the rankings could look very different when the next poll is released.

Ohio State Starts the Season at No. 1

Ohio State began the year with enormous expectations after being voted No. 1 in the preseason AP poll. The Buckeyes quickly showed why voters placed them at the top.

Ohio State overwhelmed Ball State 56-3, producing an explosive offensive performance while keeping its opponent under control defensively. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith added eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

The victory does not automatically guarantee that Ohio State will remain No. 1 when the new rankings arrive, but it certainly gives voters little reason to move the Buckeyes down.

More importantly, Ohio State’s next challenge is Texas. That matchup could become one of the most important games of the early season because both programs entered the year among the nation’s top five.

Oregon Survives a Major Test

Oregon began the season ranked No. 2 and immediately faced a much more difficult challenge than Ohio State.

The Ducks defeated Boise State 34-27 in a game that tested them from start to finish. Oregon had to respond after falling behind early, eventually pulling away enough to secure an important victory.

A win over a respected Boise State team should help Oregon’s standing. However, the close score may give voters something to consider when comparing the Ducks with teams that dominated their opponents.

Oregon remains firmly positioned among the national championship contenders, but its performance also demonstrated how quickly the rankings can become complicated once teams begin playing meaningful games.

Georgia Makes a Strong Opening Statement

Georgia entered the season ranked No. 3 and delivered one of the more convincing performances of the weekend.

The Bulldogs defeated Tennessee State 63-3, demonstrating the depth and talent that made them one of the favorites entering the season.

While a victory over an FCS opponent does not carry the same weight as a win over another ranked FBS team, Georgia accomplished exactly what a top-three program is expected to do in that situation.

The Bulldogs were efficient, aggressive and never allowed the game to become competitive. Unless voters heavily reward teams for playing stronger opposition, Georgia should have a strong case to remain near the top of the poll.

Texas Sends a Message Ahead of Ohio State

Texas may be one of the biggest storylines when the next AP Top 25 arrives.

The Longhorns opened the season ranked No. 5 and dominated Texas State 59-7. The performance was particularly significant because Texas is preparing to face No. 1 Ohio State.

Quarterback Arch Manning looked sharp, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns before leaving the game in the third quarter. Texas also forced three turnovers and scored efficiently throughout the afternoon.

The Longhorns’ performance does more than improve their record. It increases the anticipation surrounding the Ohio State game.

Texas did not simply win its opener. It looked like a team capable of challenging for the top spot in the rankings.

If Texas defeats Ohio State, there is little doubt that the Longhorns would become one of the biggest stories in college football and could make a major jump toward No. 1.

LSU Could Be One of the Biggest Risers

LSU entered the season ranked No. 11, but its Week 1 performance could force voters to reconsider that position.

The Tigers defeated Clemson 51-10 in a result that immediately became one of the most eye-catching outcomes of the weekend. LSU controlled the game and turned a highly anticipated matchup into a one-sided affair.

For LSU, this is exactly the type of victory that can transform a team’s position in the national conversation.

A jump into the top 10 would not be surprising. The Tigers now have a quality win that many teams above them simply do not have.

Michigan Faces Questions Despite Winning

Not every ranked team’s victory was equally convincing.

Michigan entered the season ranked No. 16 but needed a dramatic finish to defeat Western Michigan 13-12.

The Wolverines survived after a controversial final-second sequence, and their performance raised questions about how they will handle stronger opponents later in the season. Michigan also committed three turnovers during the game.

Winning is always valuable, but rankings are about more than records. If voters focus heavily on performance, Michigan could be vulnerable to dropping several places despite remaining undefeated.

Indiana Continues to Build Its Case

Indiana entered the season ranked No. 6 and opened with a 52-16 victory over North Texas.

The Hoosiers extended their remarkable winning streak to 17 games, making it increasingly difficult to dismiss them as a team that simply benefited from a favorable schedule last season.

Indiana’s position will be closely watched when the next AP rankings are released. The Hoosiers have established themselves as a legitimate national contender and will have an opportunity to prove that their success is sustainable.

Miami Looks Like a Team to Watch

Miami also made an impressive opening statement.

The Hurricanes entered the season ranked No. 7 and defeated Stanford 45-6. Wide receiver Malachi Toney had a spectacular performance, finishing with 234 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Darian Mensah set a school record for passing yards in his Miami debut.

That type of performance could strengthen Miami’s position in the rankings.

With several teams around them facing tougher tests, the Hurricanes have an opportunity to climb if they continue winning convincingly.

The Top 25 Is About to Change

The preseason AP Top 25 provided a starting point, but the next rankings will begin to reflect what teams actually accomplish on the field.

The preseason top 25 featured Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas as the top five, followed by Indiana, Miami, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Oklahoma. LSU, Texas Tech and Alabama rounded out much of the next group.

Several teams have already strengthened their cases.

Ohio State dominated. Texas dominated. LSU destroyed a ranked opponent. Miami produced a statement victory. Indiana continued its winning run.

At the same time, Michigan’s narrow victory could make voters nervous, while Oregon’s close win over Boise State gives the Ducks less room for error.

There are still games remaining on the Week 1 schedule, including Notre Dame against Wisconsin, Ole Miss against Louisville and Washington against Washington State. Those results could have an immediate impact on the next rankings.

What to Expect From the Next AP Top 25

The first major AP ranking update of the regular season should provide a clearer picture of the national championship race.

Ohio State has a strong argument to remain No. 1 after its dominant opening performance. Oregon and Georgia also have reasons to stay near the top.

Texas could move up if voters reward its impressive victory, while LSU has perhaps the strongest case among the teams outside the preseason top 10 to make a significant jump.

The biggest question may ultimately be what happens to Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Louisville after their Week 1 matchup, along with Washington and the teams still waiting to play.

The 2026 season is only beginning, but the rankings are already becoming more interesting. Every week will bring new evidence, new contenders and new questions.

For now, the preseason AP Top 25 remains the official starting point. But after the opening weekend, it is becoming increasingly clear that the order at the top of college football will not stay unchanged for long.