Josh Pate’s Post-Spring Top 25 Sparks Debate as Notre Dame, Texas and Oregon Lead Shocking 2026 Rankings
The 2026 college football season is still months away, but one thing is already clear opinions are flying, fan bases are arguing, and Josh Pate just poured gasoline on the fire.
The college football analyst unveiled his latest post-spring “Commissioner’s Poll,” and the rankings instantly turned heads across the country. Some programs were rewarded for stability and star power. Others were pushed lower despite championship expectations. And a few surprise teams suddenly look like serious playoff threats heading into the summer.
Pate made one thing crystal clear when revealing the rankings:
“For teams ranked low, prove me wrong. For teams ranked high, don’t embarrass me.”
That challenge alone tells you everything about how volatile the 2026 season could become.
At the very top sits a familiar powerhouse that many expected to contend but not necessarily claim the No. 1 spot this early.
Notre Dame Claims the No. 1 Spot
opens the post-spring rankings at No. 1 after a strong offseason that convinced Pate the Fighting Irish are built to compete for a national championship.
The biggest reason? Quarterback CJ Carr.
Carr enters the season with massive expectations after helping Notre Dame finish 10-2 last year and narrowly miss the College Football Playoff. While the Fighting Irish must replace elite running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, there’s growing confidence in Aneyas Williams stepping into a featured role.
Notre Dame’s defense may be even scarier.
Leonard Moore returns as one of the most feared defensive backs in the nation, giving Marcus Freeman a cornerstone defender capable of changing games. That balance between quarterback stability and elite defensive talent is a huge reason the Irish sit above every other contender heading into the summer.
And honestly? This ranking is going to create enormous pressure in South Bend.
Anything short of a playoff run will now feel disappointing.
Arch Manning Pushes Texas Into National Title Territory
At No. 2, continues to ride the wave of the Arch Manning era.
The former five-star quarterback became one of the hottest names in football during the second half of the 2025 season, delivering performances that looked every bit like a future Heisman Trophy campaign.
Now the expectations are exploding.
If Manning plays at that same level across an entire season, Texas could become the most dangerous offense in the country. The Longhorns already possess elite talent across the roster, and the addition of Auburn transfer receiver Cam Coleman gives Manning another dangerous weapon on the outside.
Steve Sarkisian finally appears to have the complete package quarterback play, explosive athletes, depth and playoff experience.
That combination is why Texas is sitting near the top of nearly every early projection heading into 2026.
Oregon Becomes the Highest-Ranked Big Ten Team
One of the biggest surprises in Pate’s poll came at No. 3, where was ranked ahead of every other Big Ten powerhouse.
Dan Lanning’s program has already proven it can dominate in its new conference after winning the Big Ten and reaching the College Football Playoff semifinal last season. But now comes an even bigger challenge: sustaining that success after losing both coordinators.
Still, the Ducks may have too much talent to ignore.
Quarterback Dante Moore enters the season with legitimate No. 1 NFL Draft pick buzz, while wide receiver Evan Stewart returns healthy after battling injuries. Oregon’s defensive front also looks loaded again, giving the Ducks one of the most balanced rosters in America.
If the coaching transition goes smoothly, Oregon could absolutely finish this season holding the national championship trophy.
Ohio State Reloads Again
At No. 4, might possess the most explosive offense in college football.
Julian Sayin takes over at quarterback surrounded by elite talent, including superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith and running back Bo Jackson. On paper, few offenses in the country can match Ohio State’s firepower.
The concern comes on defense.
The Buckeyes lost multiple first-round NFL Draft picks, leaving major holes across that side of the ball. However, there’s excitement surrounding linebacker Riley Pettijohn and Alabama transfer pass rusher Qua Russaw, both expected to play major roles immediately.
Ryan Day’s roster once again looks championship-caliber. The question is whether the rebuilt defense can survive against elite playoff offenses.
Miami’s Expectations Are Sky High
checks in at No. 5 after falling painfully short in last season’s national title game.
The Hurricanes moved on from Carson Beck and handed the offense to Darian Mensah, a decision that could define the entire season. According to Pate, Miami should be “equal to or better than last year,” which says everything about the talent still on the roster.
Sophomore receiver Malachi Toney is expected to become a breakout star, while the Hurricanes strengthened the offense further through the transfer portal. The offensive line may quietly be one of the nation’s best units.
Defensively, veteran linebacker Mohamed Toure anchors a group filled with experience.
Miami has the roster to win it all.
Now comes the difficult part: handling the pressure that comes with being expected to do it.
Defending Champion Indiana Somehow Lands Outside the Top Five
That’s where things get really interesting.
Despite winning the national championship, only landed at No. 6 in Pate’s rankings.
That alone is guaranteed bulletin-board material for Curt Cignetti.
Indiana must replace Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza after adding Josh Hoover through the transfer portal. The Hoosiers also face the challenge of rebuilding key areas of the roster, something Cignetti has handled brilliantly throughout his coaching rise.
Over the last two years, he transformed Indiana using elite portal additions and a culture built around toughness and development. Pate clearly still believes the Hoosiers are contenders just not overwhelming favorites.
Still, doubting Indiana after last season feels dangerous.
Georgia, Ole Miss and Oklahoma Remain Dangerous
enters the season ranked seventh as Kirby Smart attempts to return the program to championship form.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton brings experience, but Georgia no longer feels like the unstoppable machine that won back-to-back national championships earlier this decade. Even so, nobody wants to face the Bulldogs late in the season if they start clicking.
At No. 8, continues its rise under Pete Golding after Lane Kiffin’s departure.
Golding nearly guided Ole Miss to the national title game last season, and veteran quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returning for a sixth year gives the Rebels legitimate playoff hopes once again.
Then there’s at No. 9.
Everything depends on quarterback John Mateer’s health. If he stays healthy, Oklahoma has enough returning defensive starters and overall talent to challenge nearly anyone in the country. Brent Venables badly needs another strong season to keep the Sooners firmly planted among college football’s elite.
Texas A&M Rounds Out the Top 10
closes the top 10 with quarterback Marcel Reed returning to lead the offense.
Mike Elko’s culture appears firmly established in College Station, and that stability matters entering a season loaded with uncertainty nationally.
The biggest concern remains the offensive line, where four projected starters are transfers. If that group develops chemistry quickly, Texas A&M could become one of the toughest teams in the SEC.
The Rest of Josh Pate’s Post-Spring Top 25
The remainder of the rankings includes several massive brands and a few surprise risers:
One Ranking Already Has Fans Arguing
That’s the beauty of post-spring polls.
They aren’t supposed to settle debates they’re supposed to start them.
Notre Dame at No. 1. Indiana outside the top five. Alabama sitting at No. 13. Miami inside the top five despite losing the national championship. Oregon leading the Big Ten.
Every single placement feels like fuel for offseason arguments.
And the scary part?
None of these teams have even played a meaningful snap yet.
That’s what makes the 2026 season feel so unpredictable. One injury, one breakout star or one shocking upset could completely rewrite the national picture by October.
For now, though, Josh Pate’s latest rankings have officially set the stage for what could become one of the wildest college football seasons in recent memory.
