Ballot Type: Computer
Submitted: Sept. 14, 2026, 9:14 a.m.
Overall Rationale: This poll is a simple resume poll that evaluates on record, SoS, opponents' cumulative record, and to a smaller extent MoV/MoL. A few variations is that the resume treats OT results and FCS games as a 'tie' in a secondary adjusted record. The rating scales up in awarding ranked wins by starting only with raw results, then later rewards playing and winning games against top 45, top 30, and top 14 teams working out roughly to the 67th, 78th, and 90th percentile of the FBS.
This poll does not use expectations in any way, does not assume a team with a loss at this stage is supposed to be good, or uses predictive measures. It is a resume of what has actually happened to-date.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
USC Trojans
|
3-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage when not playing USC is 100%, no FCS opponent or OT games results in them receiving the FPV. |
| 2 |
LSU Tigers
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 3 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 4 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 5 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 6 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 7 |
UCLA Bruins
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 8 |
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 9 |
USF Bulls
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 10 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
While I agree the WMU finish is contentious, the record book officially awards Michigan the win and I will be following it as such. 2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 11 |
Auburn Tigers
|
2-0, cumulative opponents' win percentage against other teams is 100%, |
| 12 |
Michigan State Spartans
|
|
| 13 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
|
|
| 14 |
North Dakota State Bison
|
3-0, 2-0-1 on the adjusted record, COW% is 50% |
| 15 |
Texas Longhorns
|
|
| 16 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
|
| 17 |
Nebraska Cornhuskers
|
|
| 18 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
|
| 19 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
|
| 20 |
Florida Gators
|
|
| 21 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
|
| 22 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
|
| 23 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
|
| 24 |
Maryland Terrapins
|
|
| 25 |
James Madison Dukes
|
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
USC Trojans
|
1.74 |
| 2 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.54 |
| 3 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
2.01 |
| 4 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.79 |
| 5 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
5.05 |
| 6 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
UCLA Bruins
|
4.51 |
| 8 |
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
6.52 |
| 9 |
USF Bulls
|
15.67 |
| 10 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
1.90 |
| 11 |
Auburn Tigers
|
5.25 |
| 12 |
Michigan State Spartans
|
12.95 |
| 13 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
|
11.19 |
| 14 |
North Dakota State Bison
|
5.27 |
| 15 |
Texas Longhorns
|
-3.13 |
| 16 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
-1.78 |
| 17 |
Nebraska Cornhuskers
|
7.49 |
| 18 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
-1.60 |
| 19 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
-2.44 |
| 20 |
Florida Gators
|
0.16 |
| 21 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
0.64 |
| 22 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
-2.13 |
| 24 |
Maryland Terrapins
|
0.79 |
| 25 |
James Madison Dukes
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Georgia Bulldogs
|
4.32 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
1.86 |
BYU Cougars
|
2.53 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
1.27 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
1.44 |
Utah Utes
|
1.43 |
SMU Mustangs
|
1.14 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.91 |
Virginia Cavaliers
|
0.57 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.43 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.47 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.15 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.06 |
Total Score: 110.14