The first Associated Press Top 25 poll of the 2026 regular season, released Tuesday, placed the Tennessee Volunteers at No. 18 while reaffirming Ohio State as the runaway No. 1 team heading into a marquee matchup this weekend.
Big picture from the opening poll
Ohio State received a commanding 46 of the 69 first-place votes from the national panel of writers and broadcasters, leaving the remaining 23 first-place ballots split among six teams. That margin keeps the Buckeyes comfortably atop the rankings as they prepare to face No. 4 Texas on Saturday.
Several notable shifts marked the first regular-season poll: LSU jumped back into the top 10 after a statement-opening win; Oregon fell out of the top five despite a victory; and Michigan, after a ragged home performance, fell completely out of the rankings.
LSU’s surge and the fallout
LSU rose from No. 11 to No. 8 following a 51-10 rout of Clemson in coach Lane Kiffin’s debut in Baton Rouge. That result — and the surrounding eligibility drama over players attempting to return from NFL training camps — pushed the Tigers back into the top 10 for the first time since last season.
LSU’s move up bumped Oklahoma out of the top 10; the Sooners are now at No. 11 after a 51-0 win over UTEP.
Other movement and notable vote totals
Defending national champion Indiana moved up one spot and collected the second-most first-place votes, with 8. The distribution of the remaining No. 1 ballots included LSU with 5, Notre Dame with 4, Oregon with 3, Texas with 2 and Miami with 1.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State |
| 2 | — (varies by voter) |
| 4 | Texas |
| 8 | LSU |
| 11 | Oklahoma |
Other teams rounding out the top 10 included Miami, Mississippi and Texas A&M, while an early Week 0 victory helped Virginia earn a spot at No. 25 — its first Top 25 appearance since 2005.
What it means for Tennessee
For Tennessee, the No. 18 ranking reflects respect for the Volunteers’ Week 1 performance and offers a gauge of national perception as the SEC season approaches. Poll placement can affect everything from media coverage and recruiting narratives to perceived postseason positioning, though early-season rankings often shift quickly based on nonconference tune-ups and the opening weeks of conference play.
- National perception: Being ranked in the Top 20 keeps Tennessee visible on a national stage and can influence TV slots and recruiting chatter.
- Upcoming tests: Early-season matchups and the strength of schedule will determine whether the Vols move up, hold steady or slip in subsequent polls.
- Fan expectations: A Top 20 ranking raises expectations for maintaining a winning record and competing near the top of the SEC.
Poll context and volatility
AP poll movement during the first weeks of the season often reflects single-game statements — blowouts, unexpected losses and rebounds by high-profile programs. LSU’s decisive win over Clemson is a prime example of how a one-game performance can vault a team into the top 10. Conversely, Michigan’s narrow escape against Western Michigan — a game decided in the final seconds after a second Hail Mary — cost the Wolverines their ranking entirely.
Voters will meet again weekly, and the Vols’ placement at No. 18 is an early-season snapshot rather than a prediction. Tennessee’s path through nonconference opponents and into SEC play will determine if the program climbs higher or becomes vulnerable to downward movement.
This poll sets the stage for several high-profile matchups in the coming days, most notably Ohio State versus Texas, a clash that could reshape the top of the standings depending on the outcome.
As the season progresses, Tennessee fans and local media will be watching performance, injuries and results across the country to see how the Volunteers' national standing evolves from this early ranking.
Brandon McAllister, State Correspondent.
