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Zef_Apollo Ballot for 2026 Week 7

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Oct. 12, 2026, 11:03 a.m.

Overall Rationale: Play, compete, and win in big games. I reevaluate all teams each week and sometimes have a lot of movement.

Rank Team Reason
1 Georgia Bulldogs Your new #1. Clearly top dawg, obvious to anyone with eyes that this is one of the top teams to beat this season regardless of how this past weekend went. However, I don't think this is Smart's scariest team by any means. This team will absolutely be in the SECCG and the playoffs.
2 Alabama Crimson Tide Probably controversial, but I'm not moving Alabama down. I had them #2 last week based on their resume including two ranked wins and those wins have aged even better, plus the SC win looking better. Also, I can't in good faith punish them for what was a hard fought battle against UGA and only losing by 3 when so many controversial calls went against them. I think if any one of the missed calls (PI, targeting, interception, facemask, facemask on Keelon) get called then this probably goes the other direction. Obviously, they may have still lost but regardless, I think they have the best resume and I won't drop them for losing a game to a higher ranked team. Other teams will jump them that are undefeated as they deserve to - I suspect that Indiana (100%) or OSU (probably) will jump them this week if they win, same with ND probably. But, ND and Miami on effective Byes and OSU's loss looking worse with lower and fewer quality wins - I just don't think they should be moved down below them.
3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Clearly a good team, also a lock for the playoffs because of the schedule. They'd probably have to lose 3 games to be knocked out and I just don't see it. Big game against BYU this weekend.
4 Miami Hurricanes Super talented, yet to be challenged.
5 Ohio State Buckeyes Loss looks worse as Texas's offensive struggles continue to be on display. I'm not convinced this team isn't just Sayin spamming Jeremiah Smith 10+ times per game. I think if a team covers Smith effectively then OSU may be a 3 loss team. Lucky for them, that would take an NFL team to do. I suspect they win against Indiana.
6 Indiana Hoosiers Clearly a worse team than last year. They've looked suspect agains the 2 teams they have played with pulses. I still don't see them missing the playoffs but I can't move them higher until they put something truly impressive on tape against a good team. They can shut me up this weekend.
7 Texas Longhorns I want to drop them further, honestly. I think they have an A defense and a C offense. Arch is overrated and a liability. None of the weapons on this team are being used effectively despite Cam Coleman finally having a breakout game. Texas is truly on a razors edge right now. They will continue to benefit from OSU the rest of the season but it's very possible that Oklahoma as a loss looks worse over time and they can't get credit for the Tennessee win if they keep losing. Florida is in a tail spin and this may be a scary team to face when Texas is struggling to find any identity.
8 Ole Miss Rebels Trinidad is this team. I think this team can be super exciting but apparently they can also just lay an egg, so not sure what to do with this team.
9 Kentucky Wildcats Underrated right now. I think they have the offensive and defensive pieces to really be a good team this year. I doubt they finish in the top 10 but thye've got some impressive SEC wins and one of the few teams in the country with a ranked win and 1 or fewer losses.
10 BYU Cougars BYu and Tech are effectively the same team to me right now. Need to see more from both of them before I take them seriously as a threat to the playoffs (but one will make it for sure, maybe both). BYU can shoot up the rankings if they win big this weekend.
11 Texas Tech Red Raiders
12 Mississippi State Bulldogs
13 UCLA Bruins
14 Missouri Tigers
15 Utah Utes
16 Tennessee Volunteers
17 USC Trojans
18 Iowa Hawkeyes
19 Oklahoma State Cowboys
20 Oregon Ducks
21 Houston Cougars
22 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
23 SMU Mustangs
24 Northwestern Wildcats
25 LSU Tigers

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