A year ago at this time, college football fans around the country were counting down the days to get on the sticks and play EA Sports College Football 25, the first release of the video game in over a decade.
Now, fans are looking forward to playing as their favorite teams for a second straight year when EA Sports College Football 26 is released between July 7 and July 10.
Here are the 10 best teams, by overall, in EA Sports College Football 26:
10. LSU — 86 overall
9. Oregon — 86 overall
8. Texas A&M — 88 overall
7. Clemson — 88 overall
6. Georgia — 88 overall
5. Notre Dame — 88 overall
The Fighting Irish were one game away from capturing their program’s 12th national title last season and will have a mixture of new players and proven production in 2025—26. A new quarterback will be at the helm following the departure of Riley Leonard to the NFL. However, running back Jeremiyah Love will return as one of the best tailbacks in the country, as well as wide receivers Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison. Defensively, Notre Dame has a new defensive coordinator in Chris Ash, who replaced Al Golden.
4. Penn State — 88 overall
The Nittany Lions, led by quarterback Drew Allar, are going to face immense pressure to make a run at a national championship this season. Penn State is returning not only Allar but its elite running back duo in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. As a program that always prides itself on defense, the Nittany Lions brought in Jim Knowles from Ohio State as their defensive coordinator, a strong move that could propel them to the top of college football.
3. Ohio State — 88 overall
The defending National Champion Buckeyes lost 17 players to the NFL, but are reloaded and ready to make a run to go back-to-back. Ohio State will have a new quarterback in 2025 and will be surrounded by young talent on both sides of the ball, including receiver phenom Jeremiah Smith and do-it-all safety Caleb Downs.
2. Texas — 88 overall
The Longhorns are one of the favorites to win the National Championship in 2025—26 after falling to Ohio State just one game short of a national title game appearance. With quarterback Arch Manning ready to take the reins at quarterback, it should be no surprise that the video game is buying into the well-deserved hype.
1. Alabama — 89 overall
The Crimson Tide, who are coming off a disappointing 9-3 regular season record, are the video game’s highest-rated team. Alabama has seven players rated in the game’s top 100, including wide receiver Ryan Williams, a 95 overall, who is one of the game’s cover athletes and the fifth-best player.
