Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Sept. 28, 2026, 8:42 a.m.
Overall Rationale: Resume, record, head-to-head, prospective winners in neutral site, in that order.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
Still listed as #1, respecting wins against Ohio St and Tennessee |
| 2 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Two SEC opponents handled with ease, one of the best offenses currently |
| 3 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
With the win over Penn State, Wisconsin is looking like a more respectable win. This defense is amazing |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
A closer game against Wake Forest is looking better. Benefactor of other teams ahead dropping below, but Mensah is as good as advertised |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
A close loss to a high caliber team should not dock you a ton. Their game against Iowa next week should show this team's true colors. |
| 6 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
This has been the best team since Saban retired. They looked good in all 4 quarters, as opposed to half of them |
| 7 |
Florida Gators
|
An amazing win, Jadan Baugh is a stud. Not higher on this list with concerns for the defense |
| 8 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Not much movement as Sam Houston was taken care of. Still respecting the Houston win. |
| 9 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
One of the better resumes in college football currently, road wins in Minnesota and South Carolina and beating Missouri this week. |
| 10 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
Very concerned for this Hoosiers squad and their defense |
| 11 |
BYU Cougars
|
More of a prospective ranking here, this will shake out later in October after Notre Dame |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
The offense has been looking great, and is the exact kind of offense that could compete for the Big-12 title |
| 13 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
A statement win is completely overshadowed by the loss to Florida. Chambliss looks great, and could have a Lamar- or Daniels-like Heisman in Chambliss |
| 14 |
LSU Tigers
|
A statement win to Texas A&M, and because of Ole Miss' performance, this is where LSU sits. |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
Justice for Western Michigan. If Iowa forces you to play their brand of football, things aren't looking good. Iowa forced Michigan down there, but I don't think the teams above Iowa can get there |
| 16 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
A close loss to Texas means you belong on my board. |
| 17 |
Kentucky Wildcats
|
The win against A&M is looking a little weaker with their loss to LSU, but they stay in the top 25 for me until they prove otherwise. |
| 18 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
A statement win against a conference opponent that's looked good. Their loss to Tulsa is making their placement a lot harder to calculate, but if they keep this up for the rest of the season then it won't even matter |
| 19 |
Oregon Ducks
|
This team showed a lot of grit in the game against USC. Dylan Raiola moving there was the weirdest move in the offseason, but it's looking like he's going to get some time to prove himself |
| 20 |
Boise State Broncos
|
Western Michigan is no slouch, so winning in dominant fashion is deserving to move them up my rankings. A close loss to Oregon still keeps them under the Ducks |
| 21 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
4-0 against a pretty good slate of opponents. Schedule has nothing too crazy ahead of them. If they stay undefeated, their match against Miami could be the biggest game in the ACC |
| 22 |
UCLA Bruins
|
Another 4-0 team that's 2-0 in conference. A matchup with Oregon next week could catapult this team to the national spotlight |
| 23 |
Cincinnati Bearcats
|
Giving Cincinnati their flowers while I can, 4-0 on the season with a nice win over Kansas State. This team is about to run the gauntlet against some good Big 12 teams |
| 24 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
The first loss on the season on a last minute touchdown to an Iowa teams that can shut you down at any corner. The offense was humming despite the scoreboard, but will need to run the table (or have other teams around them crumble) for them to stay alive in the rankings |
| 25 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
|
I do not think this is an overreaction to Saturday's game against Louisville. If I'm not punishing Kentucky or Tennessee for their losses against top 10 teams, then I can't punish Wake Forest for a loss against #4 Miami and not reward them for a win against previously #12 Louisville. |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Florida Gators
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.27 |
| 9 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
0.27 |
| 10 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
-0.03 |
| 11 |
BYU Cougars
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Utah Utes
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.00 |
| 16 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.05 |
| 17 |
Kentucky Wildcats
|
2.80 |
| 18 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
0.21 |
| 19 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
Boise State Broncos
|
0.73 |
| 21 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
UCLA Bruins
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
Cincinnati Bearcats
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.41 |
| 25 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
USC Trojans
|
0.32 |
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
0.13 |
Nebraska Cornhuskers
|
0.11 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.32 |
Virginia Tech Hokies
|
0.06 |
Total Score: 5.71