With the 2026 college softball season just weeks away, here are some takeaways from the preseason USA Softball/ESPN top 25 rankings to get you excited.
1. Texas and Texas Tech share No. 1
For the past four years, the preseason No. 1 team in USA Softball/ESPN's top 25 rankings has gone on to win the national title. This year, things will be a little different.
Texas comes in at the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row after clinching the 2025 national title. But the Longhorns have to share some real estate; Texas Tech also sits at No. 1.
The two powerhouses are tied for the top spot with 611 points, marking the first time in the poll’s 23-year history that USA Softball has released a preseason ranking with two teams knotted at No. 1.
They were also the last ones standing in the 2025 Women's College World Series finals, and this year may be similar, as Texas is bringing back its championship talent with Teagan Kavan leading the way.
📺 WATCH: Every Teagan Kavan strikeout from the 2025 WCWS title run
Three hundred and seventy-three miles away, the Red Raiders spent the offseason revamping an already stacked lineup with names like Taylor Pannel and Jasmyn Burns now backing up NiJaree Canady.
2. Sooners reload as Nebraska knocks
Oklahoma comes in at No. 3 after its four-year championship streak was snapped last season with a loss to Texas Tech, 3-2, in the WCWS semifinals. The Sooners have reloaded their arms in the portal with names like Miali Guachino and Syndey Berzon as they look to reclaim the throne.
Nebraska squeaks into the top 10 at the No. 9 spot after just falling short on reaching OKC last season when Tennessee eliminated them in the Knoxville Supers. The Huskers have reached the WCWS eight times in program history, but are currently sitting in a 12-year drought since their last appearance in 2013.
With Jordy Bahl Frahm leading the way, will this be Big Red's year?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball)
JORDY BAHL DOES IT AGAIN 😱😱😱
3. Tigers jump back into action
The biggest jump in the poll comes from LSU at No. 13.
The Tigers were knocked out of the 2025 NCAA softball tournament by a devastating loss to Southeastern Louisiana in the Baton Rouge Regional and finished at No. 19.
LSU comes into the season boasting an elite freshmen class while returning veteran talent in Maci Bergeron, Jayden Heavener, and the SEC Freshmen of the Year, Tori Edwards, justifying the six-spot hurdle.
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4. Rebels reeling, not ruled out
Who had the hardest fall?
That superlative belongs to No. 22 Ole Miss, who finished last year at No. 8 after their historic season and trip to the WCWS. The Rebels lost some big names in the offseason, however, with Ashton Lansdell graduating and Miali Guachino transferring to Oklahoma.
Don't count them out, though. Ole Miss wasn't even ranked in the 2025 preseason poll, and we saw how that turned out.
WHY NOT US?
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball)
5. The SEC holds the reins
If it seems like a lot of talk about SEC teams, it's because they boast 12 spots in the Top 25. Not only is it more than any other conference, but it's the most the league has ever had represented, thanks to the additions of Texas and Oklahoma in 2025. The ACC follows with five teams, while the Big Ten places four.
But if the 2025 season taught us anything, it's that past precedents don't always hold strong and that it's anyone's season to claim.
