Ohio State and Oregon Lead 2026 AP Preseason Top 25 as College Football’s Fall Race Takes Shape

Furthermore, these merchandise selections emerge precisely as autumn aesthetics begin influencing college football fashion. Several offerings incorporate seasonal, harvest, Halloween, or match-day motifs, transforming institutional affiliation into festive lifestyle graphics rather than relying exclusively on standard athletic logos. With the inaugural poll now public and opening fixtures drawing near, these items acquire a definitive competitive context.

Ohio State opens at No. 1

Ohio State enters the campaign as the preseason No. 1 for the ninth occasion in school history and the first instance since 2015. The Buckeyes captured 40 out of 69 total first-place ballots from AP voters, establishing a comfortable margin over Oregon while placing intense scrutiny upon a roster that occupied top poll positions for much of the previous year.

The squad’s competitive allure is self-evident. Ohio State retains quarterback Julian Sayin alongside standout pass-catcher Jeremiah Smith, while the backfield benefits from running back Bo Jackson following his 1,000-yard freshman performance. The Buckeyes face immediate tests, including a September 12 journey to No. 5 Texas and a grueling Big Ten slate featuring multiple ranked opponents.

The pair of Ohio State merchandise options featured in the catalog highlight the intersection of athletics and autumn culture. One apparel item depicts Brutus within an autumn-inspired motif, whereas the alternative item embraces complete Halloween aesthetics through spooky skeletons integrated into a solar garden stake light. The recent poll imparts renewed significance to both designs, emphasizing that Ohio State represents the primary target for every national contender.

Oregon reaches a new preseason high

No. 2 Oregon is forging its own historical path. Although the Ducks previously started at No. 3 on four occasions, the 2026 ranking elevates them to their highest preseason standing ever recorded. Oregon secured 14 first-place votes, indicating that a substantial segment of poll participants views the program as fully capable of outpacing Ohio State.

This placement further underscores the recent national supremacy of the Big Ten. With Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana capturing the previous three College Football Playoff titles, positioning Ohio State and Oregon at the top two slots suggests evaluators anticipate the conference extending that championship streak.

The Oregon sunglasses within this assortment offer a lifestyle accessory alternative to conventional game-day jerseys. Such pieces illustrate how university branding now extends far past stadium apparel into items like eyewear, wind chimes, garden illumination, and quilt-inspired textiles while preserving an identical competitive spirit.

Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas fill out a loaded top five

Georgia anchors the No. 3 position following another campaign situated at the heart of the national title chase. The Bulldogs represent the highest-rated SEC program, entering the preseason top five for the ninth successive year. Such consistency is vital amidst poll volatility, as Georgia commands championship consideration through sustained elite performance.

Notre Dame follows closely at No. 4, marking the program’s loftiest preseason ranking since 2006. The Fighting Irish garnered six first-place ballots and carry a 10-match win streak into the autumn. Quarterback CJ Carr returns amid soaring expectations, providing the team an opportunity to advance rapidly should they navigate an early slate featuring formidable ranked adversaries.

Texas claims the No. 5 spot one year after opening atop the preseason index. Although the Longhorns captured no first-place votes on this occasion, a top-five entry keeps them squarely within championship contention. Their September 12 showdown against Ohio State stands out as an early catalyst capable of reshaping national standings.

The Texas Halloween wind chime aligns perfectly with the seasonal calendar. As the competitive schedule reaches its core, autumnal decor and football Saturdays merge seamlessly, blending university pride into both match-day traditions and seasonal household environments.

Defending champion Indiana starts at No. 6

Indiana arguably presents the most compelling storyline within the upper tier. The Hoosiers enter as defending national title holders after achieving an unprecedented 16-0 finish in the modern era, yet poll participants slotted them at No. 6 rather than the top five. Nevertheless, they secured eight first-place votes—surpassing both Georgia and Texas—highlighting a division in preseason assessments.

The primary transition centers on personnel changes. Indiana shifts from Heisman Trophy recipient and top NFL draft selection Fernando Mendoza to TCU transfer Josh Hoover under center. Simultaneously, the program retains core veteran talent while integrating a highly rated incoming transfer class, positioning the squad as a plausible repeat threat despite cautious overall polling.

Furthermore, Indiana stands as the most prominently featured institution in this catalog, boasting three dedicated items. Options range from a harvest-themed hometown shirt to a crimson Halloween wind chime and a vintage quilt-styled V-neck honoring Bloomington match-day heritage. Such diversity mirrors the unique standing Indiana now occupies nationwide: no longer a regional underdog, but the reigning titleholder stepping into a campaign framed by elevated expectations.

Miami and Texas A&M push into the top eight

Miami begins at No. 7, bolstered by a single first-place vote. The Hurricanes represent the top-rated ACC representative by a comfortable margin, with conference peers appearing considerably lower in the index. Emerging from a campaign that concluded just shy of the national title match, Miami enters 2026 as the unquestioned conference frontrunner.

The Hurricanes wind chime incorporates spooky seasonal artistry into team merchandise, benefiting from the simultaneous arrival of autumn sports and holiday celebrations. Although action commences early in September, Halloween motifs will harmonize completely with the calendar by the time conference rivalries intensify.

Texas A&M commences at No. 8, achieving its initial preseason top-10 appearance since 2022. This placement embeds the Aggies among five SEC programs inside the top 10, granting the conference substantial early sway over the playoff discussion.

The Texas Roots autumn apparel matches this seasonal timing cleanly. The aesthetic focuses less on an individual fixture and more on the broader cultural identity surrounding football in Texas: footwear traditions, school colors, weekend rituals, and the autumnal transition in fan wardrobes.

LSU and Alabama keep the SEC crowded with contenders

LSU occupies the No. 11 spot during its inaugural full campaign under Lane Kiffin. Because the Tigers concluded last season unranked, opening just outside the top 10 represents a major reset in national outlook. The fixture list generates immediate drama, as LSU opens against Clemson, the first program positioned outside the Top 25.

The two LSU merchandise choices divide evenly between Halloween and autumn themes. The “Geaux Halloween” top serves as direct spooky-season wear, whereas “Fall Roars Louder” links team spirit to autumn without depending on a specific holiday. Both fit a preseason poll cycle effectively by targeting the window where rankings, rivalries, and seasonal style intersect.

Alabama lands at No. 13, maintaining SEC depth among national heavyweights. While the Crimson Tide sit lower than their peak historical standards, No. 13 positions them close enough to the top 10 that a productive September can shift national narratives swiftly.

The Denny Chimes at Midnight wind chime reimagines a famous campus landmark within a Halloween environment. It exemplifies merchandise that gains relevance once competitive football expectations merge with seasonal home decor.

Michigan keeps the Big Ten presence deep

Michigan debuts at No. 16, providing another elite brand to the Big Ten’s eight total ranked squads. The Wolverines join Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana among ranked programs featured in this collection, reinforcing the heavy overlap between the catalog and the conference dominating the index.

Michigan’s gold-frame sunglasses further demonstrate how collegiate merchandise transitions toward lifestyle accessories. Supporters need not don full jerseys or outerwear to signal affiliation; the product functions as a compact, everyday expression of school identity.

The bubble may be just as interesting as the Top 25

The August 17 index also defined a clear tier of programs positioned just outside the formal rankings. Clemson led the group with 112 voting points, trailing No. 25 Missouri by a mere five points. Florida, Boise State, Arizona, TCU, Navy, and South Carolina rounded out the prominent vote-getters outside the index.

Consequently, several additional items in this assortment hold direct relevance despite their schools lacking a Top 25 ranking. Clemson’s standing carries particular significance because the Tigers open against No. 11 LSU on September 5, where a statement victory could propel them into the rankings immediately.

Programs such as Florida, TCU, Navy, and South Carolina likewise garnered sufficient support to remain prominent within the preseason dialogue. While unranked, their visibility signifies that voters are monitoring them as probable early risers.

Navy features twice in the catalog through premium eyewear and an Annapolis autumn apparel item. TCU offers a cozy-season piece, Florida channels its “Haunted Swamp” persona into a Halloween wind chime, and South Carolina presents a quilted autumn V-neck. These creations adhere to the overarching seasonal theme established by the ranked items: football allegiance is being reinterpreted through autumn motifs before kickoff weekend.

The SEC has the most ranked teams, but the Big Ten owns the top

Conference representation constitutes a defining storyline within the 2026 preseason index. The SEC paces all conferences with nine ranked institutions, encompassing Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Mississippi, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri. Five of those programs reside within the top 10.

Conversely, the Big Ten claims eight ranked representatives, though its upper-tier distribution is more dramatic: Ohio State and Oregon occupy the first two spots, Indiana sits at No. 6, and Michigan holds No. 16. Following three consecutive national titles secured by Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana, the index indicates voters believe the conference’s championship dominance will persist.

The ACC contributes three ranked schools, spearheaded by Miami at No. 7, while the Big 12 accounts for four. Notre Dame stands independently as the top-rated independent at No. 4. No Group of Six program managed to crack the Top 25, underscoring how concentrated preseason expectations have become around major conference powerhouses.

Why this poll is the strongest story for the CSV

Although the database also incorporates NFL franchises, the Boston Red Sox, Memphis Grizzlies merchandise, Doctor Who, One Piece, Scooby-Doo, Paddington, Transformers, and Winnie the Pooh, none align with as broad a product selection as the August 17 AP index.

Over 20 offerings connect directly to either ranked institutions or universities specified among top vote-getters outside the Top 25. This grants the ranking exceptional merchandise representation while satisfying primary editorial standards: the index constitutes major contemporary sports journalism rather than an artificial marketing construct devised solely to display inventory.

The timing is equally precise. Published on August 17 within the required August 17–19 window, the poll establishes baseline expectations for 2026, sets up debates leading into opening weekend, and creates immediate stakes for marquee fixtures like Ohio State visiting Texas and Clemson playing LSU.

Fall football now has its first national pecking order

Preseason polls remain predictive models rather than definitive outcomes, as previous years demonstrate that August assumptions can evaporate quickly. Yet that uncertainty constitutes part of their enduring appeal. A Top 25 supplies supporters concrete discussion points prior to kickoff, while unranked aspirants receive an opportunity to invalidate voter skepticism.

For the programs featured here, the narrative begins with Ohio State and Oregon leading the field, followed closely by Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas, alongside reigning champion Indiana bearing the unique pairing of a No. 6 ranking and eight first-place ballots. Miami and Texas A&M complete a top eight saturated with brands guaranteed immediate national visibility.

Trailing them, LSU, Alabama, and Michigan retain upward mobility, whereas Clemson, Florida, TCU, Navy, and South Carolina commence just outside the index with clear trajectories toward entry. Such competitive parity ensures the opening weeks of September carry immense significance before conference schedules fully materialize.

For supporters, this dynamic infuses autumn merchandise with expanded significance. A harvest shirt, Halloween wind chime, premium eyewear, or quilt-style match-day top transcends basic seasonal decor—it aligns directly with a program holding a validated position within the national landscape.

Explore the featured college designs above and carry your school identity into the opening weeks, whether your team begins at No. 1, sits inside the Top 25 or is already chasing its way into the rankings.