Spring ball is in the rearview mirror, and the college football world is already buzzing about what lies ahead. With most programs wrapping up their early offseason workouts, it's time to look at which teams are poised to make some serious noise when the 2026 season kicks off.
On Sunday, CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford unveiled his post-spring top 25 rankings, and there are plenty of surprises to chew on. From Miami claiming the top spot to a few underdogs crashing the party, this list has the potential to shape some exciting College Football Playoff matchups if the projections hold.
Crawford's Post-Spring Top 25
Taking to social media over the weekend, Crawford shared the 25 schools he believes are best positioned after all the spring additions and practices. Here's the full rundown:
- Miami Hurricanes
- Texas Longhorns
- Oregon Ducks
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Georgia Bulldogs
- LSU Tigers
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- USC Trojans
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Michigan Wolverines
- BYU Cougars
- Oklahoma Sooners
- SMU Mustangs
- Washington Huskies
- Louisville Cardinals
- Utah Utes
- Houston Cougars
- Florida Gators
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- UNLV Rebels
Miami's rise to No. 1 comes after a national championship appearance last season, and the Hurricanes are already generating buzz for the 2027 NFL Draft. ESPN's Jordan Reid recently predicted that two Miami defensive linemen—Damon Wilson II and Ahmad Moten Sr.—will be first-round picks next year. Wilson, who transferred from Missouri after a nine-sack season in 2025, is projected to go to the Titans, while Moten is headed to the Bears in Reid's mock.
“Wilson had nine sacks at Missouri in 2025 before transferring to Miami in the offseason,” Reid wrote. “He has a chance to fill the edge rusher void for the national runner-ups, who just saw Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor get drafted in Round 1.”
Other notable inclusions in Crawford's top 25 include Texas at No. 2, Oregon at No. 3, and Ohio State at No. 4. The Longhorns and Ducks both had strong springs, while the Buckeyes are reloading after a solid campaign. Indiana, which made the national championship game last year, checks in at No. 6, proving the Hoosiers aren't going anywhere.
For programs looking to climb the rankings, the path won't be easy. As Kyle Whittingham recently warned, college football is heading for $50 million rosters by 2027, putting pressure on teams to keep up financially. Meanwhile, Nick Saban has been vocal about the sport's financial unfairness and is demanding a salary cap to level the playing field.
As the summer approaches, these rankings will undoubtedly shift, but for now, Crawford's list gives fans plenty to debate. Can Miami hold onto the top spot? Will Texas or Oregon make a push? One thing's for sure: the 2026 season can't come soon enough.
