Summary
College Football 26has a ton of different teams for players to choose from. Whether it’s the lowly Air Force Falcons from the Mountain West or the Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC, all the major teams from different divisions have been included. With extensive offensive and defensive playbooks, a new dynamic substitution system, and improvements to defensive mechanics, there’s plenty for players to get to grips with compared to last year’s entry. While some like a challenge and prefer to play with the less developed teams, others like to be able to realize their plays with the very best players and teams in the game.
For players falling into the latter camp, this list provides a rundown of the very best teams inCollege Football 26, ranked by their overall rating.
In cases where the Overall and either their Offense or Defense rating is the same, the remaining stat has been used as a tiebreaker to determine order.
10Oregon Ducks
Overall Rating: 86
The Oregon Ducks are one of the best teams inCollege Football 26in large part due to their formidable defense. With players like Dillon Thieneman as a 93-rated strong safety, and Matayo Uiagalelei as a 91-rated Right End as their top-rated players in this department, and Bear Alexander as an 85-rated defensive tackle helping Uiagalelei lead the line, it’s no surprise their Defense rating is one of the best in the game.
Quarterback Dante Moore leads the offense as a dual-threat, supported by 92-rated Makhi Hughes at running back and 91-rated Evan Stewart at Wide Receiver. These two star players are supported by the likes of Noah Whittington, Dakorien Moore, and Malik Benson, all above an 80 overall rating, meaning Moore has plenty of weapons to use when driving Oregon down the field.
9LSU Tigers
LSU just gets the edge over Oregon due to their higher Offense rating while matching their Defense. As is normally the case with the SEC team, they look strong across the board with an 89 in Offense and 92 in Defense, and some star players leading on both sides of the field.
Garrett Nussmeier leads the offense as a 92-rated QB and continues the strong lineage of Tigers quarterbacks, including Heisman Trophy winners Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow. He’s supported by Caden Durham, an 89-rated running back, and Aaron Anderson, an 89-rated wide receiver. The depth the Tigers have in their offense is impressive, with several speedy receivers and a safe pair of hands at tight end giving Nussmeier plenty of options on plays. Harold Perkins Jr. (91) continues to be a big impact player on the defense, with Ashton Stamps (91) and Mansoor (90) Delane as strong cornerback options.
8Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rating: 88
A lot of teams are matched at an even 88 Overall rating, with some standing out more than others. Texas A&M is no slouch on either side of the ball, with Ar’maj Reed-Adams (93) their highest-rated player at right guard, Kevin Concepcion (90) at wide receiver, and Le’Veon Moss (89) at running back. The offense is headed up by Marcel Reed (85), who may not be one of thefastest quarterbacks inCollege Football 26, but still has the pace to scramble away from blitzing defenders and make a play.
Defensively, right outside linebacker Taureen York (90), right end Cashius Howell (88), and defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim (88) provide power, speed, and protection respectively, ensuring that scoring against the Aggies isn’t going to be an easy feat.
7Clemson Tigers
Despite finishing the regular season as the 16th-ranked team in the country and losing in the first round of the playoffs, the Clemson Tigers are still considered one of the best teams inCollege Football 26thanks to their strong roster of high-potential players. Their highest-rated players are on the defensive side, with left end T.J. Parker (95), defensive tackle Peter Woods (94), and cornerback Avieon Terrell (92) able to make an impact in big game moments.
Offensively, Cade Klubnik (92) leads the line as a strong pocket passer at quarterback. His main weapons come at wide receiver with Bryan Wesco Jr. (88), and T.J. Moore (86) combining lightning quickness with solid route running and a safe pair of hands. There’s also a number of running backs vying for the RB1 slot, with Jay Haynes (85), Keith Adams Jr. (83), and Adam Randall (83) all capable of finding the gaps and driving down the field.
6Georgia Bulldogs
What the Georgia Bulldogs lack on the offensive side of the ball compared to the Tigers, they more than make up for with their defense. Ending last season as the 2nd-ranked team in the country before losing to Notre Dame in the playoff quarter final, it’s not a surprise to see thehighest-rated team inCollege Football 25end up in the top 10 once again.
While some of the big names that made Georgia such a powerhouse on both sides of the ball last year have now left, there are still some high-profile players who can punish the opposition. Defensive tackle Christen Miller (92), middle linebacker C.J. Allen (91), and free safety KJ Bolden (91) lead the line defensively, while tight end Oscar Delp (90), running back Nate Frazier (88), and one of thefastest wide receivers inCollege Football 26, Zachariah Branch (88) give junior QB Gunner Stockton plenty of options in offense.
5Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Finishing the regular season with an 11-1 record and losing in the National Championship final to Ohio State, the Fighting Irish had an incredibly strong run last year. Despite this, the team has seen a drop in their Overall rating from last year to an 88, but they’ve still got some big-time players capable of shifting the momentum of the game in their favor.
While QB Riley Leonard has moved on to the Indianapolis Colts, running back Jeremiyah Love (95) still brings the speed, toughness, and ball carrier vision to gain serious yardage when rushing. Wide receivers Malachi Fields (91) and Jaden Greathouse (87) offer freshman QB CJ Carr (80) strong passing options and make for an incredibly dynamic offense. Defensively, cornerback Leonard Moore (93), middle linebacker Drayk Bowen (90), and cornerback Christian Gray (87) lead the line.
4Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a strong 11-2 record before going out in the semi-finals to the previous team on this list, Notre Dame. Despite this, both the offensive and defensive rosters look stacked for the coming season, and Beaver Stadium is going to be a challenging as ever for visiting teams to play in.
QB Drew Allar (92) leads the offense with RBs Nick Singleton (93) and Kaytron Allen (92) giving strong rushing options, while wide receivers Devonte Ross (90) and Trebor Pena (89) offer more than capable passing options. On the defensive side, team highlights include left end Dani Dennis-Sutton (92), cornerback A.J. Harris (91), and defensive tackle Zane Durant (90).
3Ohio State Buckeyes
They might only be the third-best team inCollege Football 26, but the Ohio State Buckeyes have the two highest overall rated players in the game in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (98), and free safety Caleb Downs (96). With these two set-to-be superstars and a strong roster behind them, it’s no surprise they went on to win the National Championship last season.
Quarterback Julian Sayin (85) has plenty of other strong options in his offense, too, with receiver Carnell Tate and tight end Max Klare both rated 91. Running backs Jayson Ball and James Peoples are both rated 87 and are supported by 86-rated CJ Donaldson Jr. Backing up the best defensive player in the game, Ohio State has cornerback Davison Igbinosun (90) and right outside linebacker Sonny Styles (90). Just like last year, using the right formations both offensively and defensively will ensure you get the best out of the roster.
2Texas Longhorns
Losing to the eventual National Championship winners in the semifinals, the Longhorns had a solid season, and while it might seem strange that they’re technically ranked higher than Ohio State, it’s the depth of their roster that gives them the edge and allows them to dominate the field regardless of the play.
This year sees QB Arch Manning (90) lead the offense. Running back Quintrevion Wisner (91), tight end Jack Endris (90), and wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (87) give Manning options across the board and showcase the quality of the roster. In the way of opposition offenses, middle linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (95) leads the way and is the sixth-best overall player in the game. Right tackle Colin Simmons (93), cornerback Malik Muhammad (92), and free safety Michael Taafee (91) again show just how strong the Longhorns are on both sides of the ball and make them one of the best and most entertaining teams to play as inCollege Football 26.
1Alabama Crimson Tide
Overall Rating: 89
Alabama is the only team to get an 89 overall rating, making them the best team inCollege Football 26, and it’s not hard to see why. The Crimson Tide has eight players with a 90 rating or higher, including the third-best player in the game in wide receiver Ryan Williams (95). In terms of offensive weapons, he’s joined by running back Jam Miller (88) and fellow receivers Isaiah Horton (87) and Germie Bernard (87). What makes Alabama’s offense so tough is its formidable O-line. Left tackle Kaydn Proctor (94), right guard Jaeden Roberts (92), and center Parker Brailsford (91) offer raw strength and solid pass protection for junior QB Ty Simpson (82) to make a big play.
You don’t get a 96 Defensive rating for anything, either. Tim Keenan (92) is the highest-rated player on the Crimson Tide defense at defensive tackle, with strong safety Bray Hubbard (91), outside linebacker Deontae Lawson (91), and left end power rusher LT Overton (90) backing him up. The depth of the defensive roster continues with seven more players rated 83 or higher.
