Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Sept. 21, 2026, 3:18 p.m.
Overall Rationale: Pure Ball Knowledge
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
(-) Despite inconsistency, team is looking more complete with each week. Hard to name a true flaw outside of the inconsistency (particularly at the skill positions) |
| 2 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
(-) Start Nolan James and start coming out of the gate hot rather than rely on the 2nd half, and they look nearly as complete as Texas. Carr is so good at football |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
(-) Finally didn’t play a tomato can and looked… just pretty good? Nothing like the unstoppable force they were made out to be. Mensah insanely smart QB, LOS not being as physical as last year + injuries piling up remains a concern |
| 4 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
(+4) And that’s how it’s done. Chambliss and Lacy continue to be as advertised. Officially entered the national title hunt |
| 5 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
(-1) Finally playing a team with a pulse… well, at least OU’s defense has one. Let’s see if they can finally establish the run and secure the ball in a game that matters |
| 6 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
(-1) If this wasn’t at home, I could see Northwestern causing some issues. First real test likely comes in Lincoln in a few weeks |
| 7 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
(-) Bucks get a reeling Illinois at home, but Kinnick next week looking 👀 |
| 8 |
BYU Cougars
|
(+1) Quietly have been looking like the most consistent team in the BXII. They may actually be a live dog when ND comes to Provo in October |
| 9 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
(+5) Exactly what I needed to see against a tough Houston team. Finally looking like a balanced squad against a quality opponent… but this was likely their toughest opponent of the regular season. Only AZ and OkSt. (maybe ASU and WVU?) left to truly challenge them |
| 10 |
LSU Tigers
|
(-4) So much for the superteam hype. Just like the prior season, Clemson win aging like a stick of Juicy Fruit. Leavitt health and consistency and depth at skill positions a major concern |
| 11 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
(-) You guys can stay put. Not many teams have looked consistently like a top ten team, hell I don’t think I can say that about anyone but I DEFINITELY can’t about Bama, who should be thanking their lucky stars they didn’t lose to FSU AGAIN. Russell progression promising, but DB regression certainly isn’t |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
(+5) A top 10 Holy War would feed the state of Utah more than any “American Comeback Tour” ever could |
| 13 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
(+6) Big test at The Big House this week. Let’s see if this mystical “Iowa offense” can show up in what is likely to be a very slow defensive contest (I’ll take the under please). Pass that, and Hawkeyes get to ride that momentum when hosting OSU next week |
| 14 |
USC Trojans
|
(-2) A lot of movement above the Trojans, but even after a win yeah I’m not rewarding them for that performance against Buttgers. Fucking yikes. Lincoln Riley teams simply will never rise to the occasion defensively |
| 15 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
(+5) If the Cards/Miami isn’t the ACC title game I will be thoroughly shocked |
| 16 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
(+5) Wisconsin is the first real litmus test. Thankfully for them they get it at the Beav. Let’s see what these Nittany Cyclones are made of |
| 17 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
(+5) I fear Georgia Tech is quite bad. Fortunately for the Vols, they get to prove their worth against Texas at Neyland |
| 18 |
Missouri Tigers
|
(-) Lulled quite a bit against Troy, but I think they’re a bit more balanced than the teams below them |
| 19 |
UCLA Bruins
|
(+4) JMU the new head coaching factory? |
| 20 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
(HM) They will go as far as KaMario Taylor takes them |
| 21 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
(HM) They need to start Tommy Carr already. He may get his opportunity if Underwood shits the bed early against Iowa (he will) |
| 22 |
Houston Cougars
|
(-7) Despite the loss, this is a real football team folks. Willie Fritz truly is a program builder extraordinaire |
| 23 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
(+1) That Tulsa loss looking like more of an aberration by the day |
| 24 |
Oregon Ducks
|
(+1) No bonus points for thrashing Portland State. However this team is far too talented for me to give up on them quite yet |
| 25 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
(NR) Actually a pretty nice win on the road against a talented (but poorly coached) Maryland. Let’s see how ACC play treats them | DROPPED: (9) Texas A&M, (13) Virginia, (16) SMU | HONORABLE MENTIONS: Boise State, SMU, North Dakota State, Kansas State, Western Michigan |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.29 |
| 3 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.01 |
| 4 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.08 |
| 9 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.04 |
| 10 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.15 |
| 11 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
-0.19 |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.43 |
| 14 |
USC Trojans
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 16 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.00 |
| 17 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.15 |
| 19 |
UCLA Bruins
|
0.49 |
| 20 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 21 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.32 |
| 23 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
1.83 |
| 24 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Florida Gators
|
0.62 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
0.00 |
West Virginia Mountaineers
|
0.10 |
Total Score: 4.70