Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Sept. 14, 2026, 10 p.m.
Overall Rationale: This can be considered the first actual ballot given we at least have some games to go off of
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
They beat Ohio State, no further reason needed |
| 2 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
Still defending national champs |
| 3 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Hard to really figure out based on the two blowouts. I'd favour them against nearly every team other than Texas, Indiana, and maybe Ohio State right now. Ohio State still has to be bumped down somewhat for the loss, thus #3 |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
Mostly a "until proven otherwise" type team like Georgia. That and the blowouts justify this |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
It was by one point, and I mean, against Texas. They should not drop much for that |
| 6 |
LSU Tigers
|
Clemson win boosts them here, even if Clemson might not actually be that good |
| 7 |
BYU Cougars
|
Won by 9 over Arizona. Arizona feels sleeper good as well |
| 8 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
Won by 28 over Arizona State. Arizona State feels at least decent |
| 9 |
USC Trojans
|
3-0 although quality of opponent is middling |
| 10 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
2-0 against very eh competition (Kentucky is not elite) |
| 11 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
Probably a weirdish line but I'd favour Alabama over Ole Miss at this moment. That and the Louisville win was very close, even if good |
| 12 |
Virginia Cavaliers
|
Kinda in an Alabama spot of running over NC State |
| 13 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
Two blowouts with most recent being Georgia Tech |
| 14 |
Utah Utes
|
Two blowouts with most recent being Arkansas |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
Two wins with most recent being narrow over Iowa State |
| 16 |
Houston Cougars
|
Houston feels good still but mortal. Also they won against Oregon State by 13 where as Tech was by 11. |
| 17 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Texas Tech feels good still but mortal |
| 18 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
Run over MI State next week and I'll actually take this team seriously |
| 19 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
Tulane and Illinois wins are lowkey kinda good here, no? |
| 20 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
Two blowouts with most recent being Washington State |
| 21 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
I still have trust issues with this team but they seem legit enough |
| 22 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
Close loss to Mississippi roughly should place them here |
| 23 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
They beat Oklahoma State, which beat Oregon. I mean, that sounds legit to me |
| 24 |
UCLA Bruins
|
I have little actual confidence in this, but they do have two clear wins with best being Cal |
| 25 |
Florida Gators
|
Either Florida or Vandy was taking this spot, and Florida's wins are just outright blowouts. HM in no order: SMU, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Oregon, UMass, ND State, Western Michigan, Boise State, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, James Madison |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.05 |
| 3 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.07 |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.08 |
| 6 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.79 |
| 8 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
USC Trojans
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Virginia Cavaliers
|
0.84 |
| 13 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Utah Utes
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.45 |
| 16 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.64 |
| 17 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-4.32 |
| 19 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
0.76 |
| 20 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
1.70 |
| 21 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
-0.09 |
| 22 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
UCLA Bruins
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
Florida Gators
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
SMU Mustangs
|
1.14 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.47 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.16 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.06 |
Total Score: 11.62