2026 Preseason AP Top 25 Reaction + Notre Dame & G6 Season Previews

2026 Preseason AP Top 25 Reaction + Notre Dame & G6 Season Previews

Author: The Athletic August 18, 2026 Duration: 1:03:52

The road to the 2026 College Football Playoff starts right here. Today, Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo are breaking down every angle of the newly released 2026 AP Preseason Top 25 Poll. Big Ten heavyweights Ohio State and Oregon headline the poll at No. 1 and No. 2. But does this mean the Buckeyes or Ducks can actually make the National Championship game? We deep dive into whether Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish truly belong at No. 4, or if they are sitting in a preseason trap.


Then, we flip the script to the Group of 6 (G6) preview. Stew and Ralph focus on the newly rebuilt Pac-12 conference and look at how Boise State is leading the pack after receiving the most votes outside the Top 25. We rank our top 3 CFP contenders from the G6 and close things out with a coaching special: which coaches could be on the move after the 2026 season wraps up?


🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Audible App or your favorite audio platform.


👉 Subscribe to our channel for weekly college football game previews, recruiting updates, and bracketology breakdowns.


Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:53 - AP Top 25 Preseason Poll

14:20 - Jayden Daniels

21:21 - Notre Dame

29:49 - G6 conversation

43:08 - Drafting G6 contenders for playoff

53:21 - Coaches Convo


#APTop25 #NotreDame #GroupOf6 #CFBPlayoff #BoiseState


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For anyone who lives and breathes college football, the weekly conversation happening on The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph is essential. This isn't just a recap of last Saturday's scores; it's where the sport's narrative gets unpacked by three of its most connected and seasoned voices. Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo bring a combined depth of experience that cuts through the noise, offering clarity on everything from coaching changes and playoff implications to the evolving landscape of conferences and recruiting. Their access is a key part of the podcast, featuring candid interviews with coaches, players, and insiders you won't hear elsewhere. Whether it's the frenzy of National Signing Day, the weekly drama of the regular season, or the road to the National Championship, they provide a consistent, intelligent, and often entertaining analysis that follows the sport's endless calendar. Presented by The Athletic, this show delivers the kind of substantive discussion and forward-looking insight that true fans rely on, making it a staple for those who want to go deeper than the headlines.
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