In theory, a starting spot in the top 10 of the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll should bode well for a team's chances of concluding the season in the 12-team College Football Playoff. In practice, however, that's anything but a guarantee.
Though the expansion to 12 is still fairly recent, we need look no further than last year to see just how speculative preseason rankings can be. Of the preseason top 10 in 2025, fully half did not wind up making the playoff. That list includes preseason No. 1 Texas, as well as notable name-brand programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson and LSU.
So what could trip up this year's top 10? To be sure, they all benefit from a lofty starting point, but all will face plenty of challenges over the long fall where things could go very right or terribly wrong. Here's a look at the keys for each of the top 10 teams hoping to carve a path to the playoff.
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#well
Though the expansion to 12 is still fairly recent, we need look no further than last year to see just how speculative preseason rankings can be. Of the preseason top 10 in 2025, fully half did not wind up making the playoff. That list includes preseason No. 1 Texas, as well as notable name-brand programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson and LSU.
So what could trip up this year's top 10? To be sure, they all benefit from a lofty starting point, but all will face plenty of challenges over the long fall where things could go very right or terribly wrong. Here's a look at the keys for each of the top 10 teams hoping to carve a path to the playoff.
HAYES: New generation of disdain: Gen Z discovering joy of hating Notre Dame | Opinion
TOPPMEYER: Alabama's season hangs on one decision Kalen DeBoer can't afford to get wrong
#well
3 months ago
