RJ Young just dropped his Ultimate 138 College Football Rankings for the 2026 season, and he’s kicking things off with a massive statement: Indiana is his preseason No. 1. Yeah, you heard that right! While chatting it up with Danny Parkins on FOX Sports’ First Things First, Young broke down his thought process, and let me tell you, it’s all about winning every game and absolutely crushing the strength of schedule. That’s the secret sauce for how these teams shake out, especially when you’re pitting the “haves” against the “have-even-mores.”
Why Indiana Ain’t No Fluke at No. 1
Young isn’t *picking* Indiana to go back-to-back as national champs, but he’s saying they are absolutely capable. Think about it: they’ve got that same vibe UGA had in 2022. The Hoosiers defense was legit, folks, a No. 2 scoring defense that was just stingy. And protecting the ball? Forget about it. They didn’t commit a single turnover during their College Football Playoff run last year. That’s how you win big. And let’s not forget running back Turbo Richard, who put up a cool 1,000 yards at BC before heading to IU. Coach Curt Cignetti? He’s earned this, and then some. Over the last two years, they’re sitting pretty at 27-2, with a Big Ten title, a Heisman winner, and even the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. Cignetti coaches winners, plain and simple. They’ve brought back both coordinators, brought in talented passer Josh Hoover, and those winning habits? They’re ingrained, turning them into consistent champions.
Notre Dame’s High Hopes, High Hurdles
Now, let’s talk about Notre Dame. Young has them at No. 6, which feels a little low when you consider they’re tied for the best odds to win the national title, and their quarterback, CJ Carr, has the best odds for the Heisman. So what gives? Young’s take is super sharp: their defense will be stout again, giving up only 17.6 points and 313 yards per game. Cornerback Leonard Moore is out there acting like a personified surface-to-air missile, shutting down everything. But here’s the rub: they lost the dynamic duo of Love and Price to the NFL Draft. Those guys were Batman and Robin, both first-round picks who shredded defenses for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground last year. Tailback Aneyas Williams isn’t a household name yet, and he *has* to be if the Fighting Irish want to snag their first national title since ’88. The magic number for them is 140 rushing yards. They were a perfect 10-0 when they hit that mark last season. And don’t forget, they dropped one to Miami last year, so they absolutely gotta prove they can beat the Hurricanes this time around.
Ohio State, sitting at No. 1 in the AP’s preseason poll and No. 2 on Young’s list, also has some serious firepower, with Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith both rocking in the top seven for Heisman odds. This season is going to be wild. With the rankings set, the stage is absolutely lit for some insane college football drama.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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