4 teams that won’t live up to Coaches Poll rankings — starting with No. 1 Ohio State

The US LBM Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday afternoon and the start of the college football season is right around the corner.

As always, with any preseason rankings, there are going to be teams that were underrated and overlooked, as well as teams that don’t pan out and disappoint.

Looking at the coaches’ top 25, here are four teams that are not going to live up to the billing this season.

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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

For starters, Ohio State has the most difficult strength of schedule of any Big Ten team this season, and the Buckeyes have the No. 8 SOS overall. With that being said, we are talking about Ohio State, a program that reloads every season.

However, with a total reset of the defense, Ohio State could take a few losses this season. The Buckeyes have to go to Texas in Week 2, which might tell us everything we need to know about the Buckeyes.

Ohio State also has a three-game stretch of at Indiana, at USC, and vs. Oregon toward the end of the season, plus hosting Michigan.

Would it shock anyone if Ohio State wins all of those games? No. But reality says the Buckeyes drop a couple of those games and if so, Ohio State won’t be sitting at No. 1 at the end of the regular season.

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Apr 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer calls a play during the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Ty Simpson is gone and Kalen DeBoer has to break in a new starting quarterback. Former five-star Keelon Russell likely has the inside track, but veteran Austin Mack won’t go down without a fight. And it’s not a good season for the Tide to not have a proven starter.

Alabama doesn’t play an FCS schools this season, and it has the No. 15 SOS in the country. Three-quarters into the season, Alabama has to play vs. Georgia, at Tennessee, vs. Texas A&M, and at LSU in a row.

The Crimson Tide might be lucky to get two of those games, and three or more losses is certainly on the table for DeBoer’s program in 2026.

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Nov 22, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz reacts during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

In typical Iowa fashion, the Hawkeyes are going to need to live and die by their rushing attack and defense. Running back Kamari Moulton returns after rushing for nearly 900 yards last season.

But also in typical Iowa fashion, its quarterback plan is a disaster. With veteran Mark Gronoskwi leaving, Kirk Ferentz is relying on two signal callers who have barely played any college football. This could look like Cade McNamara behind center for Iowa, and that wasn’t a good thing.

Even with a decent schedule, Iowa still has to play both Michigan and Ohio State, along with toss-up games against Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois this season.

There is some hype around Iowa, but until they have a proven quarterback, an 8-4 record is on the table.

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Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Last season was quite the disaster for Dabo Swinney and Cade Klubnik behind center. And this season might not be much better.

Klubnik is finally gone, and the Tigers are going to start former four-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who looked good enough in backup duty. But not only is he not all that experienced, but the Tigers are projected to start three sophomores and one freshman along the offensive line this season.

The ACC isn’t that strong, however, Clemson might not be that talented for a second season in a row. The Tigers will play against LSU in Week 1, and then ACC games against Miami, Cal, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech all loom before a final game at South Carolina.

It isn’t normal to think of Clemson not contending, but with what its roster looks like, plus the schedule, it might be another long year for Dabo.