Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Sept. 21, 2026, 8:41 a.m.
Overall Rationale: This week told me more about Ole Miss than anything, so I wanted to see if teams took care of business like they should've.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
Until proven otherwise, Texas has the best win. |
| 2 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
They've beaten 2 top 25 teams, and next week could be 3. If that happens, I am not sure anyone can doubt they are the best team in the country. |
| 3 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Admittedly they haven't played anyone, but they get the benefit of the doubt. |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
We won't know if they are legit until November, but their offense is just about as good as anyone's at this point. |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
I think this team will prove itself in October. |
| 6 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
They keep winning big but haven't really faced anyone with a pulse. |
| 7 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
Struggled a little with MSU, no real test on their schedule till october. |
| 8 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
Slow starters, but they're still winning. |
| 9 |
USC Trojans
|
Struggled with Rutgers, but a win is a win. |
| 10 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
Can you say dark horse team, quietly taking care of business. |
| 11 |
BYU Cougars
|
We may learn more next week against TCU, or maybe not. |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
Statistically the Utes are a great team. I won't be surprised if they keep winning and climbing the polls. |
| 13 |
LSU Tigers
|
Tough loss, but Leavitt doesn't impress me all that much. |
| 14 |
UCLA Bruins
|
Another sleeper team, they may surprise some people. |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
Always a "good" team, need to prove they can win big games. |
| 16 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
I am unsure here, PSU could be legit, but I am always skeptical and of course they won't play anyone with a pulse until October. |
| 17 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
Struggled a bit early on, seems like they might figure it out and be a good team. Big test this week with Iowa. |
| 18 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
I've been impressed with MSU, fingers crossed their season stays on an upward trajectory. They are about to be seriously tested with Missouri, Bama, LSU, and Texas over the next 5 weeks. |
| 19 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Are they good, sure... Are they great, not sure. |
| 20 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
Franklin has this team playing well, but with every ACC team; who do they play? They won't get any respect until they play a legit team.. MAYBE SMU in November. |
| 21 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
Early loss to Ole Miss is looking better than expected. Could win the ACC. |
| 22 |
Boise State Broncos
|
They'll win the Pac-12 and get the G6 bid, just keep winning. |
| 23 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
Beat Arkansas this week and they could challenge Boise St for the G6 bid. |
| 24 |
North Dakota State Bison
|
Another team that could challenge Boise St for the G6 bid, probably a great decision to move to the FBS. |
| 25 |
West Virginia Mountaineers
|
Surprise of the season for me, as always; just keep winning. |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.07 |
| 3 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.11 |
| 6 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-0.36 |
| 8 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
USC Trojans
|
0.15 |
| 10 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.36 |
| 11 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
UCLA Bruins
|
1.87 |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.00 |
| 16 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.00 |
| 17 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 19 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
-0.64 |
| 20 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
0.19 |
| 21 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Boise State Broncos
|
2.82 |
| 23 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
North Dakota State Bison
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
West Virginia Mountaineers
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Florida Gators
|
0.62 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.41 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.21 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
0.00 |
Total Score: 7.80