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The Best of the Rest: CFN Preseason College Football Rankings 26-50
Not all big seasons come from the teams ranked high in the preseason rankings. The mid-level of the CFN preseason college football rankings represents something more important overall.Power.Oh sure, everyone circles the games against Ohio State, and Alabama, and Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia. But what makes a power conference so strong? It's that nasty midsection of games that make the body blows add up.Great, you got by Clemson. Now beat SMU, and then Florida State, and then a Wake Forest team that few will pay attention to, but has the stuff to win nine games like last year's version did.These teams might be just outside of our preseason top 25, but you'd better take them all seriously.The Best of the Rest: CFN Preseason College Football Rankings 26-50CFN's 2026 Preseason Rankings The Elite of the Elite: Top 10 | 11 to 2550. Northwestern WildcatsPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:7-62025 CFN Preview Rank:672025 CFN Final Rank:31Week 1:South Dakota StateSwing Game:Penn State, Oct. 2With a shiny new stadium, a whale of a coaching staff - including offensive coordinator Chip Kelly - and real talent, theres a lot to like. The schedule, though, will crush the excitement.Northwestern 2026 Team Preview49. Wake Forest Demon DeaconsPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:652025 CFN Final Rank:36Week 1:AkronSwing Game:at NC State, Oct. 10The five tough ACC road games, along with a home game against Miami, will make it hard, but the veterans are there to put together another sneaky-great run.Wake Forest 2026 Team Preview48. Nebraska CornhuskersPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:7-62025 CFN Preview Rank:322025 CFN Final Rank:43Week 1:OhioSwing Game:Washington, Oct. 31The Huskers will play hard and give everyone fits, but they dont have the playmakers to get past Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State - theyre all on the slate. The struggle continues.Nebraska 2026 Team Preview47. Virginia Tech HokiesPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:3-92025 CFN Preview Rank:492025 CFN Final Rank:83Week 1:VMISwing Game:Georgia Tech, Oct. 17Temper the expectations a wee bit with a nasty ACC road slate, but James Franklin is putting together a killer. This will be the team no one wants to face over the second half of the season.Virginia Tech 2026 Team PreviewFlorida State head coach Mike Norvell leads practice Thursday, April 9, 2026. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images46. Florida State SeminolesPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:5-72025 CFN Preview Rank:402025 CFN Final Rank:69Week 0:New Mexico StateSwing Game:at Louisville, Oct. 9Wheres the high-end Florida State-level talent? There should be enough to be stronger, but there are way too many landmines to sidestep in the schedule to get back among the elite.Florida State 2026 Team Preview45. Pitt PanthersPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:8-52025 CFN Preview Rank:462025 CFN Final Rank:47Week 1:Miami UniversitySwing Game:Georgia Tech, Oct. 31Consistency will be everything after what should be a roaring start. The schedule is hardly a barrier to a big season, and, as always, the pass rush and passing attack will be great.Pitt 2026 Team Preview44. NC State WolfpackPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:8-52025 CFN Preview Rank:392025 CFN Final Rank:33Week 0:at VirginiaSwing Game:at Stanford, Oct. 24It's yet another rock-solid Wolfpack team under Dave Doeren, and theres plenty to like about its schedule. But can it finally put it all together to be a true player in the ACC title chase?NC State 2026 Team Preview43. Oklahoma State CowboysPredicted Record:5-72025 Final Record:1-112025 CFN Preview Rank:572025 CFN Final Rank:113Week 1:at TulsaSwing Game:at Iowa State, Oct. 31Good luck finding any team that will be more fun. Every game will be a wild firefight with Eric Morris bringing his loaded offense over from North Texas, but the defense will be optional.Oklahoma State 2026 Team Preview42. Baylor BearsPredicted Record:5-72025 Final Record:5-72025 CFN Preview Rank:372025 CFN Final Rank:70Week 1:Auburn (in Atlanta)Swing Game:TCU, Oct. 17Can the passing game be enough to win more high-scoring firefights? Four road games in the final six will be too much to overcome, but the Bears will be dangerous every time out.Baylor 2026 Team Preview41. Mississippi State BulldogsPredicted Record:4-82025 Final Record:5-82025 CFN Preview Rank:642025 CFN Final Rank:57Week 1:ULMSwing Game:at Minnesota, Sept. 12Among the hot teams on the underground college football pundit circuit, the offense will be outstanding - remember the name of QB Kamario Taylor - but the schedule didnt get the memo.Mississippi State 2026 Team Preview40. Wisconsin BadgersPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:4-82025 CFN Preview Rank:422025 CFN Final Rank:64Week 1:Notre Dame (in Green Bay)Swing Game:at UCLA, Oct. 17Wisconsin is the underground hipster team playing the small club scene. The defense will once again be a force, and this year, the other side of the ball will not only run well; itll finally score.Wisconsin 2026 Team Preview39. Cal Golden BearsPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:7-62025 CFN Preview Rank:592025 CFN Final Rank:55Week 1:UCLASwing Game:Clemson, Sept. 26New head coach Tosh Lopoi has a sneaky-loaded team led by QB Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele - a name you must know. The defense will be among the toughest in the ACC.Cal 2026 Team Preview38. Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:312025 CFN Final Rank:23Week 1:ColoradoSwing Game:at Virginia Tech, Oct. 17Yeah, were probably underappreciating this bunch. The offensive backfield is loaded, the coaching is elite, and 11 Power Four teams on the schedule. Itll be another fun season.Georgia Tech 2026 Team Preview37. Arizona WildcatsPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:552025 CFN Final Rank:22Week 1:Northern ArizonaSwing Game:at West Virginia, Oct. 10Can the Wildcats win the games theyre supposed to? Thats a must with road games at BYU and Texas Tech. QB Noah Fifita and the offense will be good, and the defense will be better.Arizona 2026 Team Preview36. TCU Horned FrogsPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:342025 CFN Final Rank:30Week 0:North Carolina (in Dublin)Swing Game:at Arizona, Nov. 7There's a lot to love about a TCU team with few flaws, a more controlled attack, and a slate with just four road games spread out after the opener in Ireland against North Carolina.TCU 2026 Team Preview35. Kentucky WildcatsPredicted Record:4-82025 Final Record:5-72025 CFN Preview Rank:472025 CFN Final Rank:50Week 1:Youngstown StateSwing Game:at South Carolina, Oct. 3Will Stein made a bold splash at SEC media days, and the transfer portal talent is there to back it up - to a point. The record wont be great, thanks to a nightmare schedule.Kentucky 2026 Team Preview34. Houston CougarsPredicted Record:9-32025 Final Record:10-32025 CFN Preview Rank:612025 CFN Final Rank:26Week 1:Oregon StateSwing Game:at Kansas State, Oct. 10You want a College Football Playoff sleeper? Road games at Texas Tech and Utah will make it tough, but the loaded Cougars built to get to this point, and now theyre really good.Houston 2026 Team Preview33. UCLA BruinsPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:3-92025 CFN Preview Rank:532025 CFN Final Rank:60Week 1:at CalSwing Game:Wisconsin, Oct. 17Its one of our big calls of the season - the Bruins will rise fast under new head coach Bob Chesney. The starting 22 is talented, but the consistency will take a bit to come together.UCLA 2026 Team PreviewSep 20, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images32. SMU MustangsPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:332025 CFN Final Rank:21Week 1:at Florida StateSwing Game:at Stanford, Nov. 28The conference schedule is insanely favorable, and for a third straight ACC season, the Mustangs will be deep in the title hunt up until the end behind a loaded offense.SMU 2026 Team Preview31. Illinois Fighting IlliniPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:9-42025 CFN Preview Rank:232025 CFN Final Rank:19Week 1:UABSwing Game:at Michigan State, Oct. 10There are big replacements in key spots, but the Illini reloaded. Solid lines and a favorable schedule are good, but the key is a confident Bret Bielema who has made Illinois his program.Illinois 2026 Team Preview30. Missouri TigersPredicted Record:7-52025 Final Record:8-52025 CFN Preview Rank:192025 CFN Final Rank:28Week 1:Arkansas-Pine BluffSwing Game:Florida, Oct. 3Peak Missouri, itll get off to a rip-roaring start with a favorable slate, and then reality and good opponents will kick in. Its a very good team, but it doesnt have enough to be among the elite.Missouri 2026 Team Preview29. Clemson TigersPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:7-62025 CFN Preview Rank:92025 CFN Final Rank:44Week 1:at LSUSwing Game:at Florida State, Oct. 31Can the Tigers get back to their old selves? Not quite, but the defense will be great as the season goes on, and theres a desperation across the board to put together a strong season.Clemson 2026 Team Preview28. Minnesota Golden GophersPredicted Record:6-62025 Final Record:8-52025 CFN Preview Rank:262025 CFN Final Rank:38Week 1:Eastern IllinoisSwing Game:Michigan, Oct. 3One of the Big Tens most interesting teams, theres shock-the-world potential here. It has an NFL quarterback in Drake Lindsey, a nasty defense, and way too many tough road games.Minnesota 2026 Team Preview27. Arizona State Sun DevilsPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:8-52025 CFN Preview Rank:202025 CFN Final Rank:29Week 1:Morgan StateSwing Game:Kansas State, Oct. 24The Sun Devils are better, but the BRUTAL set of road games will keep them from dreaming big. However, the lines are tremendous, and the receiving corps is dynamic.Arizona State 2026 Team Preview26. Florida GatorsPredicted Record:8-42025 Final Record:4-82025 CFN Preview Rank:172025 CFN Final Rank:49Week 1:Florida AtlanticSwing Game:South Carolina, Oct. 10Jon Sumrall is changing up the vibe and style of the program. He has the offensive backfield, linebacking corps, and schedule to make Florida among the SECs breakthrough teams.Florida 2026 Team Preview
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