College Football's Middle Class: CFN Preseason Rankings 51-100

[ASFN Admin]

From the Power Four programs looking to break through to the Group of Six teams trying to crash the College Football Playoff party, this is the college football middle class. They're the teams ranked from 51 to 100 in the 2026 CFN Preseason Rankings.

We've researched and evaluated all 138 teams, ranking them all based on talent level, coaching, depth, experience, and again (because it's the most important factor), talent.

A high-end team from the MAC or Sun Belt would have problems doing much in the Big Ten, a projected lower-tier SEC team would rock the Mountain West, and they're all represented here.

We ranked Duke 52nd before last season - it won the ACC Championship. Tulane was 69th, James Madison 82nd, and they made the College Football Playoff, and Notre Dame and Texas didn't.

The middle class matters.

College Football Rankings 2026: CFN Preseason 51 to 100​

CFN's 2026 Preseason Rankings
The Elite of the Elite: Top 10
Great Teams in the Mix: 11 to 25
The Best of the Rest: 26 to 50

100. Utah State Aggies​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 6-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 106
2025 CFN Final Rank: 85
Week 1: Weber State
Swing Game: at Texas State, Oct. 24

Bronco Mendenhall’s bunch is good, but more than any other Mountain West team making the move to the Pac-12, it’ll be a grind. He has the offense, though, to stay in every game.
Utah State 2026 Team Preview

99. San Jose State Spartans​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 3-9
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 80
2025 CFN Final Rank: 116
Week 1: at USC
Swing Game: at Nevada, Oct. 24

Ken Niumatalolo’s passing game will be good again, and so will the coaching, but the transfer portal wasn’t kind, and five road games in the first eight games won’t make this easy.
San Jose State 2026 Team Preview

98. Miami University RedHawks​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 7-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 89
2025 CFN Final Rank: 93
Week 1: at Pitt
Swing Game: at Central Michigan, Oct. 24

Another year, another run to hang around in the MAC Championship chase. The defensive front is among the best in the conference, and the offensive line will take over at times.
Miami University 2026 Team Preview

97. Troy Trojans​

Predicted Record: 7-5
2025 Final Record: 8-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 99
2025 CFN Final Rank: 100
Week 1: Sam Houston
Swing Game: at Louisiana, Oct. 17

Anything less than another trip to the Sun Belt Championship won’t do. The defense is among the league’s best, the quarterback situation is strong, and the schedule works out nicely.
Troy 2026 Team Preview

96. North Texas Mean Green​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 12-2
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 93
2025 CFN Final Rank: 40
Week 1: at Indiana
Swing Game:Florida Atlantic, Oct. 29

North Texas is hitting the refresh button, but new head coach Neal Brown was a good hire. The team might have been gutted, but it’ll still be good enough to push for a bowl game.
North Texas 2026 Team Preview

95. Colorado State Rams​

Predicted Record: 7-5
2025 Final Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 86
2025 CFN Final Rank: 117
Week 1: Wyoming
Swing Game: San Diego State, Oct. 24

Jim Mora comes in from UConn, bringing several key players along for the ride. This might not be a Pac-12 title contender yet, but it has the potential to be the strongest Ram team in years.
Colorado State 2026 Team Preview

94. Ohio Bobcats​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 94
2025 CFN Final Rank: 86
Week 1: at Nebraska
Swing Game: at Kent State, Oct. 3

There's a lot to like about an Ohio team with a loaded offensive backfield and one of the MAC’s best linebacking corps. The schedule sets up nicely for a big run.
Ohio 2026 Team Preview

93. Liberty Flames​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 75
2025 CFN Final Rank: 121
Week 1: at James Madison
Swing Game: FIU, Oct. 31

There are way too many good things in place to struggle like it did last year. The lines will be the best in Conference USA, and the backfield has the runners to dominate the tempo.
Liberty 2026 Team Preview

92. James Madison Dukes​

Predicted Record: 10-2
2025 Final Record: 12-2
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 82
2025 CFN Final Rank: 45
Week 1:Liberty
Swing Game: at Georgia Southern, Oct. 10

Billy Napier has the pressure of trying to keep the powerhouse rolling. The Dukes don’t have the talent of last year, but the defense will be enough to make another Sun Belt title push.
James Madison 2026 Team Preview

91. Wyoming Cowboys​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 95
2025 CFN Final Rank: 103
Week 1: at Colorado State
Swing Game: at San Jose State, Oct. 10

Finally, the Cowboys appear to be ready to look the part again with a strong backfield, great secondary, and the right pieces in place to play their style.
Wyoming 2026 Team Preview

90. Toledo Rockets​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 8-5
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 78
2025 CFN Final Rank: 90
Week 1: at Michigan State
Swing Game: San Diego State, Sept. 26

Toledo came up with a brilliant hire in Mike Jacobs. Nothing stops for a program with the lines and all-around talent to not just win the MAC, but have honest dreams of getting into the CFP.
Toledo 2026 Team Preview

89. Florida Atlantic Owls​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 92
2025 CFN Final Rank: 114
Week 1: at Florida
Swing Game: at North Texas, Oct. 29

Look out for the Owl passing game. It didn’t quite click like it was supposed to last year, but it’s about to explode in shootout after shootout.
Florida Atlantic 2026 Team Preview

88. Western Michigan Broncos​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 10-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 122
2025 CFN Final Rank: 80
Week 1: at Michigan
Swing Game:Boise State, Sept. 26

Winning the MAC title was good, but the Broncos can shoot for even more. This should be the league’s best team, and in a good way, it has plenty of schedule challenges to show off a bit.
Western Michigan 2026 Team Preview

87. Oregon State Beavers​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 76
2025 CFN Final Rank: 134
Week 1: at Houston
Swing Game: Washington State, Oct. 17

JaMarcus Shephard is a fun coach making his debut. His energy will have to carry a rebuilding team with a questionable running game that will have a hard time taking over games.
Oregon State 2026 Team Preview

86. UConn Huskies​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 77
2025 CFN Final Rank: 63
Week 1: Lafayette
Swing Game: at Air Force, Oct. 31

Jason Candle takes over in a rebuilding season after Jim Mora took a slew of key players to Colorado State. UConn still has a good enough starting lineup to push for a bowl appearance.
UConn 2026 Team Preview

85. Army Black Knights​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 84
2025 CFN Final Rank: 78
Week 1: Bryant
Swing Game: Tulane, Oct. 10

You know exactly what you’re getting out of Army. Great running, no mistakes, lots of control. The offensive line will pave the way to another great year for the ground attack.
Army 2026 Team Preview

84. Tulane Green Wave​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 11-3
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 69
2025 CFN Final Rank: 37
Week 1: at Duke
Swing Game: Memphis, Oct. 16

Tulane is supposed to be an annual star in the American, but there’s too much turnover and too many question marks to make any sort of a push for another College Football Playoff spot.
Tulane 2026 Team Preview

83. Air Force Falcons​

Predicted Record: 7-5
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 81
2025 CFN Final Rank: 96
Week 1: Duquesne
Swing Game: at Wyoming, Oct. 24

Following a trying season, the defense will be far better - at least up front - and the offensive parts are in place to be even stronger and more dominant at controlling games.
Air Force 2026 Team Preview

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Nov 21, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado (12) looks to make a pass against the UNLV Rebels during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

82. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 88
2025 CFN Final Rank: 79
Week 0: at Stanford
Swing Game: at Wyoming, Sept. 26

Be annoyed if Hawaii isn’t fantastic. Quarterback Micah Alejado and the loaded passing game will go off, and the schedule works out well enough to build off a great finish to last season.
Hawaii 2026 Team Preview

81. Stanford Cardinal​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 5-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 83
2025 CFN Final Rank: 68
Week 0: Hawaii
Swing Game: Hawaii, Aug. 29

It won’t be an easy first season under Tavita Pritchard, but the Cardinal will pull off a few stunners at home. The offense will be effective, but it’ll be the defense that keeps things close.
Stanford 2026 Team Preview

80. Texas State Bobcats​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 90
2025 CFN Final Rank: 105
Week 1: at Texas
Swing Game: at Oregon State, Nov. 7

From the Sun Belt to the Pac-12, Texas State made a major move up, and it should be an instant factor with a high-powered passing game to offset a sketchy defensive back seven.
Texas State 2026 Team Preview

79. USF Bulls​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 71
2025 CFN Final Rank: 41
Week 1: FIU
Swing Game: at UTSA, Oct. 8

USF lost a ton, but new head coach Brian Hartline will be great right out of the box. The Bulls have a relatively favorable schedule and enough talent around to put out a good starting 22.
USF 2026 Team Preview

78. Memphis Tigers​

Predicted Record: 7-5
2025 Final Record: 8-5
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 72
2025 CFN Final Rank: 66
Week 0: at UNLV
Swing Game: Army, Oct. 31

Charles Huff knows how to do big things right away. The new Tiger head coach has a good team, but the road games are all a problem in what should be a stepping-stone season.
Memphis 2026 Team Preview

77. East Carolina Pirates​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 91
2025 CFN Final Rank: 42
Week 1: at Alabama
Swing Game: at Memphis, Oct. 22

Believe in the Pirates. They didn’t get the credit they deserved last season, but this year they have the parts to once again be deep in the American Conference hunt until the end.
East Carolina 2026 Team Preview

76. UTSA Roadrunners​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 74
2025 CFN Final Rank: 89
Week 1: UT-Rio Grande Valley
Swing Game: at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 5

UTSA will be in for a big season if it can avoid misfires on the road. It does the little things right, the coaching is great, and everything is in place to be deep in the American title hunt.
UTSA 2026 Team Preview

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Aug 30, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Braxton Woodson (5) attempts a pass against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets during the third quarter at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

75. Navy Midshipmen​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 11-2
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 73
2025 CFN Final Rank: 39
Week 1: Towson
Swing Game: at UTSA, Oct. 17

Set the bar and expectations super-high. The ground game will be at a whole other level of dominance, along with a schedule that sets up nicely to be in the American and CFP chases.
Navy 2026 Team Preview

74. UNLV Rebels​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 10-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 85
2025 CFN Final Rank: 67
Week 1: Memphis
Swing Game: at Air Force, Oct. 17

No Power Four games, a lighter Mountain West, and a great offense will make UNLV a player for the Group of Six’s CFP spot, even with a whole lot of dangerous road games early on.
UNLV 2026 Team Preview

73. North Dakota State Bison​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 12-1
2025 CFN Preview Rank: Not Ranked
2025 CFN Final Rank: Not Ranked
Week 0:Jacksonville State
Swing Game: at New Mexico, Oct. 24

Get ready for the loaded Bison to make a statement after stepping up to the FBS. Road games at Air Force, UNLV, New Mexico, and Hawaii are all that stand in the way of an amazing debut.
North Dakota State 2026 Team Preview

72. New Mexico Lobos​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 110
2025 CFN Final Rank: 53
Week 1: Central Michigan
Swing Game: at Hawaii, Oct. 17

New Mexico went from meh to magnificent under Jason Eck. The linebacking corps is among the best in the Group of Six, the lines are fantastic, and there’s a real winning attitude.
New Mexico 2026 Team Preview

71. Washington State Cougars​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 70
2025 CFN Final Rank: 81
Week 1: at Washington
Swing Game: at Utah State, Oct. 9

New head man Kirby Moore put together a strong starting 22, but three Power Four games and a rough mid-season of road games in the new Pac-12 won’t make things easy.
Washington State 2026 Team Preview

70. Fresno State Bulldogs​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 79
2025 CFN Final Rank: 76
Week 1: at USC
Swing Game: at Washington State, Oct. 2

All of the pieces are in place to be deep in the Pac-12 title chase until the end. The running game will be great, the defensive front strong, and the schedule is built to have a huge season.
Fresno State 2026 Team Preview

69. Iowa State Cyclones​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 8-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 35
2025 CFN Final Rank: 46
Week 1: SE Missouri State
Swing Game: at Baylor, Nov. 7

Iowa State is undergoing a total overhaul after losing a bulk of the team to Penn State, but there’s still enough in place for new head coach Jimmy Rogers to get it to a bowl game.
Iowa State 2026 Team Preview

68. San Diego State Aztecs​

Predicted Record: 8-4
2025 Final Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 87
2025 CFN Final Rank: 54
Week 1: Portland State
Swing Game: at Colorado State, Oct. 24

The offense that was supposed to be the calling card of the Sean Lewis era is about to show up. It’s loaded with veteran talent, and it’ll need to be great with the loss of several stars on D.
San Diego State 2026 Team Preview

67. Syracuse Orange​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 3-9
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 50
2025 CFN Final Rank: 97
Week 1: New Hampshire
Swing Game: Louisville, Oct. 17

Can the offense find its groove again? The passing game will be far better, and it’ll have to be in plenty of shootouts. Quarterback Steve Angeli has to be healthy and back to form.
Syracuse 2026 Team Preview

66. North Carolina Tar Heels​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 38
2025 CFN Final Rank: 73
Week 0: TCU (in Dublin)
Swing Game: at Pitt, Oct. 10

It’s easy to predict doom and gloom for a Tar Heel program with shockingly few high expectations. It’s still a Bill Belichick-coached team, and it’s far better than last year’s version.
North Carolina 2026 Team Preview

65. Boise State Broncos​

Predicted Record: 9-3
2025 Final Record: 9-5
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 41
2025 CFN Final Rank: 65
Week 1: at Oregon
Swing Game: at Fresno State, Oct. 10

Boise State dominates conferences, and now it gets to take over the Pac-12. This isn’t the loaded team of past seasons, and the schedule is more difficult, but it’s an instant contender.
Boise State 2026 Team Preview

64. Boston College Eagles​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 60
2025 CFN Final Rank: 91
Week 1: at Cincinnati
Swing Game: Virginia Tech, Oct. 3

It’s a stronger team with a far better defense, but the schedule gets nasty late, including Notre Dame and Miami. Even so, the Eagles will be a tough out every week.
Boston College 2026 Team Preview

63. West Virginia Mountaineers​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 62
2025 CFN Final Rank: 71
Week 1:Coastal Carolina
Swing Game: at Iowa State, Oct. 3

It’s the Big 12 team you don’t want to face, with Rich Rodriguez’s offense about to take off. There will be a few dud games, but if you’re not fully focused against this bunch, forget it.
West Virginia 2026 Team Preview

62. Michigan State Spartans​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 43
2025 CFN Final Rank: 62
Week 1: Toledo
Swing Game: Nebraska, Sept. 26

Pat Fitzgerald is comfortable again. He’s in the underdog role as he builds the Spartans. It’ll take a bit to start bringing in the talent, but he’s a refreshed coach ready to take on the world.
Michigan State 2026 Team Preview

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Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

61. Colorado Buffaloes​

Predicted Record: 2-10
2025 Final Record: 3-9
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 51
2025 CFN Final Rank: 82
Week 1: at Georgia Tech
Swing Game: at Baylor, Sept. 26

Deion Sanders has the linebackers, and the receivers, and the speed across the board to make Colorado more dangerous, but the offensive line still has to prove it can block someone.
Colorado 2026 Team Preview

60. Vanderbilt Commodores​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 10-3
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 58
2025 CFN Final Rank: 20
Week 1: Austin Peay
Swing Game: at Kentucky, Oct. 24

Schedule, schedule, schedule. It wasn’t all Diego Pavia last year. This year’s team is great without its star, but it should be the underdog against just about everyone in SEC play.
Vanderbilt 2026 Team Preview

59. Rutgers Scarlet Knights​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 5-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 44
2025 CFN Final Rank: 58
Week 1: UMass
Swing Game: at Maryland, Oct. 17

Rutgers will have to win games in fun shootouts with a questionable defensive front that will be in for a long season. It’ll take a few upsets to get to a bowl game, but the fight will be there.
Rutgers 2026 Team Preview

58. Kansas Jayhawks​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 5-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 48
2025 CFN Final Rank: 59
Week 1: LIU
Swing Game: at Kansas State, Oct. 17

The Jayhawks have the offense to hang with anyone, but the defense will be a letdown. The nasty schedule with six road trips - including London vs ASU - in the last ten games is a killer.
Kansas 2026 Team Preview

57. Purdue Boilermakers​

Predicted Record: 3-9
2025 Final Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 68
2025 CFN Final Rank: 74
Week 1: Indiana State
Swing Game: Minnesota, Oct. 10

Barry Odom’s Boilermakers are far better now, starting with a defense front that will give plenty of teams fits. The schedule is way too tough, though, to make this a breakthrough campaign.
Purdue 2026 Team Preview

56. UCF Knights​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 5-7
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 54
2025 CFN Final Rank: 75
Week 1: Bethune-Cookman
Swing Game: at Oklahoma State, Oct. 10

Scott Frost won’t have UCF back to the good old days quite yet, but it’ll be dangerous with a better attack with more explosion. Consider this season another step forward.
UCF 2026 Team Preview

55. Cincinnati Bearcats​

Predicted Record: 4-8
2025 Final Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 56
2025 CFN Final Rank: 52
Week 1:Boston College
Swing Game: at West Virginia, Oct. 17

Cincinnati has the players, but it doesn’t have a schedule loaded with sure wins. The hardest games are at home, but that’s not necessarily a plus for a good team that’ll have a bad record.
Cincinnati 2026 Team Preview

54. Duke Blue Devils​

Predicted Record: 6-6
2025 Final Record: 9-5
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 52
2025 CFN Final Rank: 24
Week 1: Tulane
Swing Game: at NC State, Nov. 7

The defending ACC champs underwent way too many changes to repeat, but underestimate this bunch at your own peril. Manny Diaz’s defensive front will be terrific again.
Duke 2026 Team Preview

53. Virginia Cavaliers​

Predicted Record: 7-5
2025 Final Record: 11-3
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 66
2025 CFN Final Rank: 25
Week 1: NC State
Swing Game: at SMU Oct. 17

Don’t assume that last year was an aberration. It’s another good Cavalier team with a super-nice ACC slate, but it has to find the same magic and attitude from the breakthrough run.
Virginia 2026 Team Preview

52. Maryland Terrapins​

Predicted Record: 5-7
2025 Final Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 63
2025 CFN Final Rank: 72
Week 1: Hampton
Swing Game: at Nebraska, Oct. 3

As Mike Locksley pointed out, Maryland always had a lead in every game - it just couldn’t hold it. The passing game will be fantastic and explosive, but it’ll be tough to get to a bowl game.
Maryland 2026 Team Preview

51. Arkansas Razorbacks​

Predicted Record: 2-10
2025 Final Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Preview Rank: 30
2025 CFN Final Rank: 61
Week 1: North Alabama
Swing Game: at Vanderbilt, Oct. 17

Ryan Silverfield takes over, and his first job is to fix the defense. That won’t happen overnight, but the offense will still be good. The record, though, won’t be great against a rough slate.
Arkansas 2026 Team Preview

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