The preseason AP Top 25 poll was released on Monday, with the top of the rankings featuring very few surprises. As expected, Florida, Duke, Illinois and UConn occupied the top four spots in the poll. Those four represent the teams with the best odds to win the 2027 national title.
Outside of that, the rankings will surely fluctuate throughout the season. Because at least a dozen of the teams ranked in the preseason poll have one or more players fighting for a fifth year of eligibility in the courts. In the case of Kansas, former Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn is seeking a sixth year of eligibility to play for the Jayhawks In 2026-27.
Kansas, ranked No. 17 in the preseason poll, is also hoping that Tre White and Melvin Coucil Jr. will be eligible. If those three players are cleared, it makes Kansas a clear-cut top 10 team. The same can be said about Texas Tech, ranked No. 19 in the first poll of the season.
The Red Raiders are hoping Donovan Atwell, Darrion Williams and Jamichael Stillwell will be granted a fifth year. If those three players are ruled eligible, Texas Tech is the team that can challenge Arizona for the Big 12 title. CBS Sports' Chris Hummer did these rankings earlier this year when the first college football poll of the season was released.
Instead of ranking teams' chances to reach the College Football Playoff/win the national title, we are dividing it up by teams to reach the Final Four in Detroit. S: Legitimate national title favoriteA: Can win it all if things break rightB: Have roster questions, but are talented enough to reach the Final FourC: Second weekend team, with Final Four upside The teams: No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 UConn There is a clear top four heading into the 2026-27 season. Here is why each team is ranked in the S Tier to reach the Final Four/win the title: The teams: No. 5 Arizona, No. 6 Michigan State, No. 7 Texas, No. 8 Tennessee, No. 11 Louisville, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 17 Kansas, No. 19 Texas Tech Eight teams are ranked in the second tier for different reasons.
On paper, Arizona would be in the S Tier if there were a resolution regarding RJ Godfrey's eligibility. The Wildcats' one weakness heading into the season is at PF, which Godfrey would fill if he's ruled eligible. The Wildcats have one of the best trios in the sport in Motiejus Krivas, Ivan Kharchenkov and Caleb Holt.
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