Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Sept. 8, 2026, 3:44 p.m.
Overall Rationale: This week I am looking at quality of opponent and performance amongst other things. Cupcakes don't equate to large movements up the poll.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Took care of business and will learn a lot about them when they play Texas. |
| 2 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Nothing new to see here, waiting for a true test. |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
Impressive on both sides of the ball. |
| 4 |
Oregon Ducks
|
They scheduled the best G6 team (at this point) found a way to win - can't punish them too much for that, but I am not convinced they are a top 3 team, next week won't tell us much either. They could continue to tumble. |
| 5 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
Took care of business. Will see what happens when they play a quality opponent. |
| 6 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
Slow start; not sold yet. |
| 7 |
Texas Longhorns
|
This week will tell me a lot about the identity of Texas. |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
You beat a bad Clemson team, congrats, you've gained two spots in this poll. |
| 9 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
Struggled and looked very bad at times, but a win is a win. Not convinced this team can beat any teams above it in this poll. |
| 10 |
USC Trojans
|
Winning convincingly, week 4 against Oregon will be their first real test. |
| 11 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
Should steamroll Michigan, first real test week 4 against Georgia. |
| 12 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
I expect Alabama to be 5-0 going into their game against Georgia. |
| 13 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
Wasn't overly impressed with the first half, is Reed that guy? Their Defense is stout, should help next week against ASU. |
| 14 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Not sure beating ACU 33-10 and struggling to really put up points in the 2-4th quarter is good enough, luckily their schedule is very easy. |
| 15 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
GT could be a decent test, otherwise they should roll into week 4 at Texas undefeated. |
| 16 |
BYU Cougars
|
Staying put at 16; they'll get tested down the stretch. |
| 17 |
Utah Utes
|
Doesn't sound like they will have trouble with Arkansas at Rice-Eccles - Could answer some questions for me. |
| 18 |
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
Staying put here, and I doubt Towson will teach us a bunch about this team in week 2. |
| 19 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
The James Franklin train is rolling. That won't stop, but if it does; The James Franklin train will be punished. |
| 20 |
Arizona State Sun Devils
|
ASU is underrated, have some ballers on offense, TAMU will be a fun one, let's hope ASU keeps it close (or wins). |
| 21 |
Boise State Broncos
|
This is a fundamentally sound team, hard to argue with the result, and it probably would've been different if the clock management had been there. |
| 22 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
Earned respect taking Ole Miss to the wire, jumped up in this poll and I expect them to beat SMU in two weeks. |
| 23 |
UCLA Bruins
|
Underrated team, but I believe they are much improved and have a solid coaching staff. |
| 24 |
Washington Huskies
|
Yes they won, yes they get moved down. struggling with WSU is not a good look, but losing 2RBs hurts even more. |
| 25 |
Memphis Tigers
|
I am starting to believe in this team, but Boise State is probably going to crush that belief. |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.17 |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.07 |
| 5 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
USC Trojans
|
0.02 |
| 11 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.38 |
| 16 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 17 |
Utah Utes
|
0.12 |
| 18 |
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
1.93 |
| 19 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
2.86 |
| 20 |
Arizona State Sun Devils
|
4.55 |
| 21 |
Boise State Broncos
|
0.93 |
| 22 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
UCLA Bruins
|
0.08 |
| 24 |
Washington Huskies
|
-0.24 |
| 25 |
Memphis Tigers
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
1.03 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.68 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.69 |
Virginia Cavaliers
|
0.20 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.31 |
Total Score: 14.28