Overview
- ESPN analyst Bill Connelly released the first 2026 SP+ ratings Friday, slotting Ohio State No. 1 ahead of Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia and Indiana.
- SP+ is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted projection that blends returning production, recent results, recruiting and coaching changes, and it breaks teams into offense, defense and special-teams scores.
- Notable placements include Oklahoma at No. 12, BYU at No. 18, Utah at No. 25, Florida State at No. 35 and Colorado at No. 65, with Utah State at No. 97.
- Conference context shows the Big 12 averaging 7.4 for third among leagues by SP+ strength, while the Pac-12 averages minus-3.7 for fifth.
- These projections are early and will shift through spring and summer as practices, transfers and injuries reshape rosters.