Big Ten Powers Ohio State and Oregon Claim Top Spots in 2026 AP Preseason Top 25

For our merchandise lineup, this August poll acts as an ideal editorial alignment. Fifteen unique items highlight universities featured directly in the preseason Top 25, alongside six additional pieces representing programs sitting right on the cusp just outside the rankings. This tight connection gives the new national poll immediate practical relevance for football supporters gearing up for game days.

Furthermore, these product drops arrive right as crisp autumn style starts shaping game-day wardrobes. Many selections blend traditional team spirit with harvest, holiday, and Halloween motifs, translating school pride into creative lifestyle graphics that go beyond standard logos. With the first rankings out and kickoff weekend approaching, these designs carry an extra layer of excitement.

Ohio State starts at No. 1, and the Big Ten owns the top two

Ohio State steps into the new season claiming the preseason No. 1 ranking for the ninth time in program history and the first since 2015. Claiming 40 of the 69 total first-place votes, the Buckeyes command a clear edge at the top, though immense expectations immediately surround a roster heavily favored to contend all year long.

Our featured Ohio State holiday wind chime captures this exact crossover between football intensity and autumn decorating. It introduces festive spooky-season flair right as the Buckeyes assume the target-on-their-back status of being the nation’s top team. As the schedule heats up through October, top-tier rankings give supporters plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Over in Eugene, No. 2 Oregon is carving out program history. Though the Ducks previously opened as high as No. 3 on four separate occasions, this poll lifts them to their highest preseason position ever. Pulling in 14 first-place votes, Oregon proves that a significant portion of voters views them as legitimate national championship material.

The stylish Oregon sunglasses in our collection provide a sharp lifestyle alternative to standard game-day gear. They highlight how modern collegiate branding expands far beyond stadium jerseys into everyday accessories, proving that team loyalty can shine through premium fashion statements just as well as traditional apparel.

Notre Dame, Texas and Indiana bring three very different top-six stories

Claiming the No. 4 spot, Notre Dame earned six first-place votes, securing its place among the elite group of teams backed for the top spot. This impressive preseason ranking immediately thrusts the Fighting Irish into the national championship conversation, creating an exciting backdrop for themed fan gear.

Products like the “Luck of the Scream” polo and the Gothic Leprechaun wind chime creatively blend legendary campus traditions with playful holiday graphics. Pairing these festive items with a prominent top-five ranking makes supporting the team even more fun as fall weather rolls in.

Texas anchors the No. 5 position. Positioned just behind Notre Dame and ahead of the defending champions, the Longhorns enter a season where early high-stakes games will quickly test their playoff mettle. Special apparel like the “Hook ‘Em and Haunt ‘Em” polo perfectly bridges game-day enthusiasm with the spirit of the fall season.

Indiana claims perhaps the most fascinating storyline in the upper tier at No. 6. As reigning national champions coming off a flawless 16-0 run, the Hoosiers remarkably find themselves starting behind five other schools. Even so, pulling down eight first-place votes—more than any program outside of the top two—shows that many experts still view them as serious repeat threats.

The spirited “Scream for the Cream” polo captures this unique championship momentum with a clever holiday twist. For a program enjoying a completely transformed national profile, high-demand merchandise lets fans celebrate their team’s elite new status in style.

Miami and Texas A&M push the top 10 deeper into this collection

Miami checks in at No. 7, strengthened by picking up a first-place vote. The Hurricanes stand as the clear frontrunners in the ACC, showcasing how quickly national respect builds when a talented program enters a new season with serious momentum.

Playful items like the “Trick or Cane” polo and “Boo Crew” tee lean right into festive holiday fun, pairing seamlessly with the team’s strong preseason ranking. As early-season games unfold, these unique designs give fans a fun way to support the Hurricanes through every conference battle.

Texas A&M secures the No. 8 ranking, rounding out a powerhouse group of five SEC teams inside the top ten. The bold “Raise Hell After Midnight” shirt adds an energetic, late-night edge to traditional team gear while keeping school pride right at the forefront.

Ole Miss lands at No. 9, followed closely by Oklahoma at No. 10 to round out the top tier. Their apparel choices lean into classic school traditions and warm autumn aesthetics rather than spooky themes, featuring a cozy “Hotty Toddy” quilted V-neck for the Rebels and a classic vintage patchwork design for the Sooners.

Together, these creative pieces showcase the wonderful variety available in modern collegiate fashion. Whether supporters prefer playful holiday graphics or timeless quilted patterns and warm autumn colors, there is a stylish way to represent every school pride all season long.

Explore the featured college designs above to take your school identity into fall—whether your team begins at No. 1, sits inside the Top 25 or starts the season trying to force its way into the rankings.