The Big Ten’s dominance is now undeniable, with three consecutive national titles won by three different programs. Meanwhile, the once-dominant SEC has been shut out of the last three championship games, completely absent from the national title stage.
Washington, Notre Dame, and Miami have all risen to the role of national title runner-up. During this same period, the SEC has mirrored Lincoln Riley-era Oklahoma: dangerous enough to reach the College Football Playoff, but not complete enough to survive it.
Who would have thought the Sooners’ unique blend of excellence and ineptitude—0-5 in five CFP appearances since 2015—would spread to the conference that welcomed them? Not me, and certainly not the SEC fan who enjoyed two decades of dominance starting with Tommy Tuberville’s 12-0 Auburn team and ending the moment Nick Saban chose broadcasting over coaching.
The result? The Big Ten sits atop the sport, daring the SEC to fight back. That’s where we stand in May, before the preseason prognostications and loud opinions begin. But soon, these programs will take the field again.
Here is a look at my post-spring top 25 rankings:
25. Tennessee Volunteers
Josh Heupel has built a program that remains competitive in the volatile NIL era. However, he now faces a defining quarterback battle between career backup George MacIntyre and five-star phenom Faizon Brandon. Getting this choice right could determine whether Tennessee makes the CFP or suffers a second straight loss to—gasp—Vanderbilt.
24. Utah Utes
Utah was already grooming Morgan Scalley to take over as head coach in all but name by 2026. Kyle Whittingham simply accelerated that timeline. The Utes’ defense should once again be fierce, but the question is how well quarterback Devon Dampier can perform without Jason Beck calling plays and Kevin McGiven directing the offense.
23. SMU Mustangs
Kevin Jennings has his flaws, but he’s good enough to keep SMU in the top 25 all season. He led the ACC in interceptions last year (13), yet also produced another season of at least 3,200 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. However, losing 90% of the pass rush from a defense that was already poor in 2025 is Rhett Lashlee’s real challenge in 2026.
22. Clemson Tigers
Offensive coordinator Chad Morris is back, defensive coordinator Tom Allen stayed, and quarterback Christopher Vizzina looks the part. But head coach Dabo Swinney enters 2026 with his back against the wall. Clemson produced more NFL Draft picks (nine) than wins (seven) in 2025, making this season about more than just hanging around the top 25. Swinney knows it, which is why I expect Clemson to respond.
21. Washington Huskies
Demond Williams Jr. connects with Denzel Boston for a one-handed TD
In 2025, I compared Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to Kyler Murray, and he still looks every bit that kind of dynamo. If the Huskies can develop a wide receiver as productive as Denzel Boston was last year, they can win double-digit games in the toughest conference in the country. This is also Year 3 of the Jedd Fisch era in Seattle; if his Arizona tenure taught us anything, it’s that this is when his teams tend to break through.
20. Florida Gators
Head coach Jon Sumrall might have pulled off his best recruiting win by convincing star running back Jadan Baugh to stay another year. Getting back a tailback who accounted for 1,380 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns on a 3-9 team is critical.
