The 2026 preseason US LBM Coaches Poll has been released, marking the first top 25 ranking of the season. Four Big 12 teams appear in the initial poll, while USC is not projected to hold a College Football Playoff position, a sign that the Trojans will need to prove themselves on the field.
The poll has drawn scrutiny from analysts who use advanced analytics-driven rankings. According to Fox News, the Coaches Poll includes both hits and misses when compared with those data-based systems. With the season not yet underway, the preseason ranking offers an early look at how coaches view the nation's top teams, though it is subject to change once games are played.