The Evidence.

2026 preseason model
The Evidence

They haven't played anybody.

Fine. Let's check.

Who's actually earned a top-10 ranking. Who hasn't scheduled anybody. Why this team is ranked ahead of that one. Every answer here is checkable — and most of them take one tap.

What are you trying to settle?
The arguments right now

The arguments worth having this week, answered. Tap Why and the evidence opens here — you never have to leave the page for it.

Updated weekly · Preseason evidence

Who's fighting for the last playoff spot?

MISSTENN
No. 12 Ole Miss
0.5 Verdict pts apart

No. 12 Ole Miss is the last team in; No. 13 Tennessee is the first team out. One result decides it.

SMU
Who are the polls too high on?
SMU
AP #19 · Verdict No. 40
TENN
Whose season comes down to coin flips?
Tennessee
7 toss-up games · projected finish 8-4
UGAALA
Which league owns the board?
The SEC, with 5 of the 12 seats
5 of the 12 seats
OSU
Who has the easiest path to the playoff?
Ohio State
100% playoff odds · moderate schedule
FLA
Who's better than their record?
Florida
No. 22 · Team Strength 69.4 · SOS 69.2
OSU
Who has the strongest preseason case?
Ohio State
Verdict Score 94.5 · 3.8 clear of No. 2
TEX
Which ranking looks crazy until you see the evidence?
Texas
No. 8 · projected finish 8-4 · SOS 68.1
The Statistical Record

The numbers entered into evidence.

Every headline number, who owns it, and what the field averages. Raw production tells you what happened; Verdict's evidence tells you how much it meant. Tap any number for the full record behind it.

Projections, not statistics

The season hasn't kicked off, so there are no box scores yet. Every number above is what the model projects. The full statistical record — scoring, yardage, efficiency, turnovers, splits and contradictions — fills in with the first games and takes this space over.

Dig into the evidence

Nine investigation rooms, opened by the question each one settles.

Compare two teams

The argument you're actually having.

Pick two teams and put their cases side by side — one category at a time, with the reason one grades out ahead of the other.

VerdictThe Courthouse of College Football

Every Team. Every Game. Follow the Evidence.

Verdict's better with more people to argue with.

Verdict is an independent college football analytics and editorial project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or operated by the NCAA, College Football Playoff, conferences, schools, teams, polls, broadcasters, or data providers. Team and organization names are used only for factual identification. All third-party trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

© 2026 Verdict. All rights reserved.
HQ