EA Sports releases Top 25 overall schools in College Football 26

1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 89

Alabama doesn’t have a starting quarterback yet, but it has some believers over at EA Sports. The Crimson Tide are the top-rated team in College Football 26.

With wide receiver Ryan Williams to throw to, it might not even matter who’s tossing him the football; just get it in his hands and watch him make magic. It seems like Ty Simpson is the leader in the clubhouse, but don’t count out Austin Mack or Keelon Russell.

2. Texas Longhorns, 88

Arch Manning is going to be the main attraction for anyone playing as Texas in College Football 26. The favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, gamers will want to know if the quarterback is worth the hype or not.

Aside from Manning, the Longhorns are worthy of some love. They’re sitting at 91 overall as the top-rated offense in the game, and they have the second-best-rated defense at 94 overall. Their quarterback is the attraction, but players like linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. will be fun to use, as well.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes, 88

The reigning national champions come in at No. 3 in EA Sports’ ratings. It looks like Julian Sayin will be tabbed with taking over for Will Howard at quarterback, and it’s anyone’s guess if he’ll be better suited to run Brian Hartline’s offense, after Chip Kelly returned to the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders.

He’ll have one of the more highly-touted wide receiving prospects in recent memory to throw the ball to at least. Jeremiah Smith is back, and so is Carnell Tate — you should be able to put up silly numbers with those two in College Football 26.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions, 88

Drew Allar liked being in College Football 25 so much that he spurned the NFL so he could lead Penn State in College Football 26. Kidding, but no matter the reason, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are elated to have their quarterback back for another go-round.

They’re receiving love from all angles — preseason polls, television pundits and EA Sports. Penn State is tied for the best offense in the game at 91 overall, and they come in tied second on defense at 94 overall. Happy Valley has a squad.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 88

Notre Dame is one of the more interesting teams in the nation heading into this upcoming season. They rebounded after a shocking early-season loss to make the national title game, but they came up just short against the buzzsaw that was Ohio State last January.

There are question marks at quarterback, but the selling point for the Fighting Irish will be running back Jeremiyah Love. He’s receiving immense buzz ahead of a new campaign. We’ll see if he can take another step forward in 2025.

6. Georgia Bulldogs, 88

After an ugly finish to last season’s journey, Georgia seems to be flying a bit under the radar this summer. EA Sports gave them some love, delivering the Bulldogs an 88-overall rating, which isn’t too shabby.

Carson Beck is gone, and it might take a bit for Georgia to settle on their next quarterback. Gunner Stockton has first dibs, but it didn’t go so smoothly last year. We’ll see if he has a better grip on things this time around, or if fans turn to other options on the depth chart in College Football 26.

7. Clemson Tigers, 88

Watching Cade Klubnik play is fun. Now you get to run around and toss lasers across the field with him in College Football 26? Yeah, you can’t beat that. There’s a reason Clemson is the ACC’s highest-rated team in the game, and it’s their quarterback.

But wait, there’s more. The Tigers have talent all over the field for 2025 — Bryant Wesco Jr. and Antonio Williams at wide receiver. Peter Woods, T.J. Parker and Wade Woodaz on defense. With a roster like this, your friends aren’t going to let you use Dabo Swinney’s bunch in your online dynasty competition; it ain’t fair.

8. Texas A&M Aggies, 88

Texas A&M seems primed to take another step forward in Mike Elko’s second season with the Aggies. Marcel Reed at quarterback is certainly going to be a fan favorite in College Football 26. Good luck trying to tackle him on defense.

He’s not a one-trick pony either, and neither is Texas A&M as a whole. They have an offense rated at 89 and a defense that’s a 90 — a recipe for success.

9. Oregon Ducks, 86

Oregon may be the surprise of this list. They were the best team in college football for a majority of the 2024 season, but they faltered in the College Football Playoff. Still, they’re firmly in the top ten for College Football 26.

EA Sports actually has more confidence in their defense than their offense. They’re the No. 7-rated defense in the game, while you have to scroll down to No. 19 to find their offense. Dante Moore can change that in short order with some solid performances, though.

10. LSU Tigers, 86

LSU is a sneaky title pick for many pundits out there. EA Sports believes the hype for Brian Kelly’s team, it seems, with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leading the charge.

The Tigers are the tenth-ranked team, but they’re the No. 6 offense and the No. 8 defense. Don’t forget about having to play them in Death Valley. That controller is going to be rattling as you try to stifle Nic Anderson and Barion Brown, while Harold Perkins Jr. chases your quarterback.

EA Sports’ College Football 26 Team Overalls — Nos. 11-25:

11. Miami Hurricanes, 86
12. Florida Gators, 86
13. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 86
14. Arizona State Sun Devils, 85
15. Michigan Wolverines, 85
16. Ole Miss Rebels, 85
17. Oklahoma Sooners, 85
18. Indiana Hoosiers, 85
19. SMU Mustangs, 84
20. Tennessee Volunteers, 84
21. Missouri Tigers, 84
22. Auburn Tigers, 84
23. Duke Blue Devils, 84
24. South Carolina Gamecocks, 82
25. Illinois Fighting Illini, 82