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Tornadohunter24 Ballot for 2026 Week 8

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Oct. 20, 2026, 10:59 a.m.

Overall Rationale: What a weekend of college football. Holy crap. Usually I'd post about how terrible my Jackets are doing, but holy crap, what a weekend. Also, uGA lost. So that's nice. Still can't believe the execs want to kill this with an expanded playoff without every conference getting an auto-bid...

Before we get started, I just wanted to remind you of a few caveats to my top 25: I'm including at least a few spots for the G6, as an indicator of who I think is favored to make a run at the Playoffs out of those conferences. In addition, this poll, by nature, is meant to be overreactive. I'm not here to try to be predictive - I want this to be strictly resume, even if that resume consists of a single game. I'm not here trying to justify every single one of my top 25 staying in the top 25 week-to-week; that's just lame. And it's not the point of what I want to accomplish when doing these rankings. Even still, before you crucify me for this poll ballot... allow me to explain further.

While preseason rankings, perceived team strength, recruiting rankings, and all of those other factors will still play a role in the value I grant to certain teams, I ultimately want this ranking to be a resume-based one as stated earlier, not a power ranking. I'm always searching for ways to best optimize this and to best balance the two, especially early on, so am open to opinions. However, since we are now well into conference play, the results on the field will continue to take increasingly more precedent over what was expected out of teams in pre-season based upon past years and talent/coaching available to them. Also, power rankings are in fact considered, but not weighed heavily.

So, a better question: why is the top 25 the way that they are? Well, I'm glad you asked, random stranger I made up in my head to dictate this interaction! There are a few key things that I will always do once everyone enters in-conference play. First, I basically disregard, to the best of my ability, not only last week's rankings but preseason expectations in general, and then rank from that. In addition, I like to include multiple G5 (now G6) frontrunners, even if their resumes lack slightly compared to a P4 team. ALL UNDEFEATED G6 TEAMS WILL BE RANKED. Does this make the poll have unreasonable amounts of instability and deviation from the norm? Probably! Do I care? Not really. It's still early on - everyone who deserves to be ranked will become ranked again soon enough. I'm not the committee; just keep winning, and things will fall into place.

That said, let's get on to the necessary business at the end of this. A lot of movement necessitates a lot of accounting. SOR is taken from ESPN for ease of access. And yes, I know it still looks silly early on in the year (even after 5+ weeks of games played), but considering how much I converge with it by the end of the year, I find it prudent to include. It is not the only metric I consider but it's the easiest to compare with my rankings.

NOTE: SEC circle of suck is once again the bane of my existence for trying to rank these accurately while respecting H2H. I'd ask you to be normal, but the results honestly keep getting more funny. Keep it up, guys. Also, any FCS ranks are from the STATS poll.

| TEAMS DROPPING OUT (DO): #13 Mississippi State Bulldogs [4-2, 2-2 SEC], #14 Missouri Tigers [5-2, 2-2 SEC], #21 Oklahoma State Cowboys [4-2, 2-1 Big 12], #22 Nebraska Cornhuskers [5-2, 2-2 B1G], #23 Wisconsin Badgers [4-2, 2-1 B1G]

| HONORABLE MENTIONS (HM): Mississippi State Bulldogs [4-2, 2-2 SEC], Oklahoma State Cowboys [4-2, 2-1 Big 12], Oregon Ducks [4-2, 2-1 B1G], Oregon State Beavers [5-2, 3-0 Pac-12], Missouri Tigers [5-2, 2-2 SEC], UTSA Roadrunners [6-1, 3-0 American], Auburn Tigers [4-2, 2-2 SEC], New Mexico Lobos [5-1, 2-0 MWC], North Carolina Tar Heels [4-2, 2-1 ACC], Liberty Flames [5-1, 2-0 CUSA]

| ESPN SOR, FPI, and other useful metrics: https://www.espn.com/college-football/fpi/_/view/resume

PRESEASON BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/73954 | WEEK 2 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/74364/ | WEEK 3 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/74836/ | WEEK 4 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/75247/ | WEEK 5 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/75815/ | WEEK 6 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/76012/ | WEEK 7 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/76809/

Rank Team Reason
1 BYU Cougars [6-0, 3-0 Big 12] (+5) | SOR: #1 | Notable Results: W 28-17 vs #17 Arizona [5-1], W 28-24 vs #6 Notre Dame [6-1] |

After a wild night in Provo (I heard the Mormons broke out the special milk for this one) and a little (read: a lot) bit of Big 12 ref incompetence, the Cougars sit at 6-0 with the best SOR in the nation. Does this make them truly the best team? Maybe not, but no one can top their results to date, and their playcalling was truly inspired in their efforts to topple the Fighting Irish, with QB Bear Bachmeier managing to throw, receive, and run in a touchdown all in the same game. Add in a strong win that continues to age well vs the Wildcats from Arizona, and BYU sits at the summit of this ballot. Now, just kindly ignore what's happened to the last 2 teams that have held the position these past 2 weeks...
2 Miami Hurricanes [6-0, 4-0 ACC] (+2) | SOR: #5 | Notable Results: W 33-20 @ #12 Wake Forest [5-1], W 41-13 vs @ Clemson [4-2], W 43-35 (2OT) vs Florida State [3-4] |

Aside from a surprisingly stout Wake Forest roster and feasting upon Clemson's decaying corpse in the NIL era, there hasn't been too much to write home about the Hurricanes so far until this past weekend. Perhaps it was rivalry game shenanigans, perhaps it was Norvell pulling off a coaching masterclass to save his job, but whatever it was, a dramatic double-OT winner vs Florida State (assisted again by the ACC refs not knowing what holding is or how simultaneous possession works) helps knock down their ratings just enough for BYU to jump them. They're still a very good team and may be able to jump into #1 before a fateful showdown in South Bend with the Fighting Irish in a few weeks' time.
3 Ohio State Buckeyes [6-1, 4-0 B1G] (+5) | SOR: #4 | Notable Results: L 23-24 @ #24 Texas [4-2], W 31-14 @ #16 Iowa [5-1], W 19-15 @ #5 Indiana [6-1] |

Ignoring the Texas-sized 4th quarter collapse of an elephant in the room, the Buckeyes currently look like the best team in the nation (pending on Sayin's diagnosis and backup Fahey's ability to connect with his loaded receivers). A statement win courtesy of a misplaced Marsh foot in Bloomington this past weekend only helps to cement that assumption. Backing this up with an impressive win over a decent Iowa squad in Kinnick certainly doesn't hurt any. A timely bye week should hopefully allow Fahey time to get acclimated to first-team reps before a showdown out west with the offensive powerhouse of Lincoln Riley's USC. As long as they can avoid more disastrous starts like in the Maryland game...
4 Texas Tech Red Raiders [6-0, 3-0 Big 12] (+5) | SOR: #8 | Notable Results: W 35-24 @ HM Oregon State [5-2], W 28-26 vs #15 Houston [6-1] |

Coming into the season off the heels of a tumultous saga with ex-Cincinnati QB Soresby, I wasn't sure what to make of Texas Tech, especially with some of the talent they lost to the NFL on defense. However, that Red Raiders defense is just as good as promised, and QB Will Hammond is slowly but steadily developing chemistry with the rest of the offense. The wins over Oregon State and Houston continue to look better and better as time passes, and all signs point to them being serious contenders for the Big 12 Title once again. If they avoid the egg they laid in the playoffs last year, college football may in fact run through Lubbock (no love lost here for Cody Campbell, however).
5 Indiana Hoosiers [6-1, 3-1 B1G] (-2) | SOR: #6 | Notable Results: W 29-23 vs #20 Northwestern [5-1], W 20-17 @ DO Nebraska [5-2], L 15-19 vs #3 Ohio State [6-1] |

While it's near-impossible to replicate the highs that last year's national champions were able to pull off, this year's Indiana has certainly been flirting with disaster at a few points throughout the season so far. Hoover is still too inconsistent with his throwing accuracy, which has lowered the ceiling of the Hoosier offense, and the defense and special teams alone can only do so much. Even with these hiccups, Indiana had the chance to seal the victory late vs the Buckeyes, only for Hoover to send it a little too far to the sideline and receiver Nick Marsh to make a costly misstep out of bounds. The rest of the schedule is quite manageable, and B1G title hopes aren't dashed yet, but Curt Cignetti will need to make some key fixes, and quickly.
6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish [6-1, Independent] (-4) | SOR: #14 | Notable Results: W 41-13 vs DO Wisconsin [4-2] (at Lambeau Field), W 36-27 @ HM North Carolina [4-2], L 24-28 @ #1 BYU [6-0] |

The Fighting Irish have a right to be aggrieved with how their high-profile matchup against the now-#1 Cougars ended. A bigger issue, however, is the tendency of both playcalling coordinators (Mike Denbrock on offense, Chris Ash on defense) to overthink themselves out of more simple and effective solutions, and no second returned to the game clock was going to fix the stupidity of calling a fade out on a short field for a TD in the dying moments. Ash was also left flat-footed on defense, and BYU could've easily gone up more earlier had they been more efficient in the redzone. Get that fixed over the next two weeks, and Miami at home is a very, very tempting avenue back into the top 3.
7 Tennessee Volunteers [6-1, 3-1 SEC] (NEW) | SOR: #7 | Notable Results: L 17-20 vs #24 Texas [4-2], W 24-14 vs HM Auburn [4-2], W 26-10 vs #13 Alabama [5-2] |

I have criticized the lackluster Tennessee offense (and Josh Heupel) at times for their inability to move the ball to capitalize off of the hard work that their defense and special teams to give them favorable positions. I cannot say the same this week after the complete beatdown they put on the Crimson Tide in Neyland. While those flaws are still prevalent to some degree, such a comprehensive win over a top-tier opponent does much to soothe all grievances and gripes with how the Volunteers have played earlier this season. It's a bit unfortunate that the loss at home to the Longhorns is aging so poorly, otherwise they might be higher.
8 UCLA Bruins [6-0, 4-0 B1G] (+3) | SOR: #2 | Notable Results: W 17-15 @ HM Oregon [4-2], W 17-7 vs DO Wisconsin [4-2] |

It may not have been pretty, and it may not have been entirely balanced in terms of penalties (again, thank you college refs, even B1G ones), but the Bruins are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2023 and are undefeated to boot. The Bruins have managed to cope well with the loss of starting QB Nico Iamaveala by relying on their stellar defense to keep games manageable. Head Coach Bob Chesney also looks like another chip of the coach-printing factory that is apparently JMU over the past decade, and despite a weaker schedule pinning them outside the top 5, there's a serious chance we're talking about the Bruins playing in Indianapolis for what looks to be the last B1G Title game for the near-future.
9 Utah Utes [6-0, 3-0 Big 12] (+1) | SOR: #13 | Notable Results: W 27-24 @ Colorado [2-4] |

The Utes under new head coach (and former DC) Morgan Scalley continues barreling towards a feisty Holy War with the top-ranked BYU Cougars, even if that road has been littered with slip-ups and setbacks. What looked to be a prime opportunity to handle a weaker conference opponent in the Buffalos almost ended in disaster, saved in part by their former QB not knowing how to lateral when accounting for forward momentum. It wasn't pretty, but the Utes sit at 6-0 with a game attended by College Gameday against the top-15 Houston Cougars this weekend.
10 Georgia Bulldogs [6-1, 4-1 SEC] (-9) | SOR: #10 | Notable Results: W 20-17 @ #13 Alabama [5-2], L 24-27 vs HM Auburn [4-2] |

NOTE: I'll get into the brief analysis in a second. However, joy has been hard to come by this year for my Jackets, and so I must take my laughs when I can. LOL, nice going dawgs. WDE!

Moving on, what looked to be the new consensus #1 team in the country set out to play a hated rival in Auburn at home in a game they were favored to win by 3 scores. They then blew a 14-0 lead, had their starting QB literally fumble away the game late in the 4th quarter, and could only watch helplessly as the Bulldogs under Smart took the worst loss under his reign since his first year in charge. While they still control their own destiny in the SEC and for the playoffs, such a slip-up cannot be allowed to happen again. They still might be the best in the SEC, but this past Saturday did not support that thesis whatsoever.
11 Ole Miss Rebels [5-1, 2-1 SEC] (+9) | SOR: #9 | Notable Results: W 41-38 vs Louisville [4-3] (in Nashville), W 32-24 vs #18 LSU [5-2], L 28-52 @ #23 Florida [5-2], W 31-3 vs DO/HM Missouri [5-2] |

Seemingly emerging as the best of the teams currently embedded in the ever-growing SEC circle of suck, the Rebels absolutely demolished a previously-ranked Missouri team to the tune of 31-3 without even breaking a sweat. Trinidad Chambliss continues looking like the best QB in the country, and the return of Kewan Lacy to the lineup only boosted their attack to dangerous levels. Now, if only they can go back in time and remember what rushing defense was for the Florida game...
12 Wake Forest Demon Deacons [6-1, 4-1 ACC] (+3) | SOR: #11 | Notable Results: L 20-33 vs #2 Miami [6-0], W 30-27 @ Louisville [4-3] |

The Demon Deacons are probably the biggest surprise of the season so far in terms of expectations to actual performance. While they did post a 9-win season last year, there was some regression expected, which has failed to materialize so far. A complete destruction of the JKS-less Golden Bears this past weekend in a potential trap game only shows to prove their strength, and there's a serious possibility of running the table and getting another crack at Miami in the ACC Title game.
13 Alabama Crimson Tide [5-2, 3-2 SEC] (-8) | SOR: #12 | Notable Results: W 45-17 @ #14 Kentucky [6-1], W 56-23 @ DO/HM Mississippi State [4-2], L 17-20 vs #10 Georgia [6-1], L 10-26 @ #7 Tennessee [6-1] |

Paul Finebaum can thank Kalen DeBoer and his staff for following up the close Georgia loss with a comprehensive beatdown on all fronts courtesy of the hated Volunteers for why his show probably gained some extra views and attention earlier this week. The Crimson Tide are only kept here due to their blowout wins against Kentucky and Mississippi State, and they need to resolve their offensive woes before considering themselves true contenders once again.
14 Kentucky Wildcats [6-1, 4-1 SEC] (+2) | SOR: #2 | Notable Results: L 17-45 vs #13 Alabama [5-2], W 35-34 (OT) @ South Carolina [3-3], W 35-34 (OT) vs #18 LSU [5-2] |

If Wake Forest is the ACC's surprise this year, then Kentucky is certainly the SEC's. First-year head coach Will Stein has got the Wildcats playing some gutsy, impressive (if cardiac-inducing) football that has put the rest of the conference on notice, and though they helped lower some of their fans' heart palpitations this past weekend, it's certainly been playing with fire for Kentucky so far. One has to wonder if they can keep it up, but if so, a first-time berth in the SEC Title game may await them.
15 Houston Cougars [6-1, 3-1 Big 12] (+2) | SOR: #16 | Notable Results: W 33-20 vs HM Oregon State [5-2], L 26-28 @ #4 Texas Tech [6-0], W 35-32 vs DO/HM Oklahoma State [4-2] |

For those that missed it, the Houston-Oklahoma State game this past Saturday was an incredible showcase between Houston QB Connor Weigman and Cowboys QB Drew Mestemaker on who could make the best throws for 60 minutes. It was an incredible game, and the Coogs deservedly move up the rankings as a result of their triumph over the Cowboys. They now have the opportunity to jump into the top 10 with a game against the Utes in Salt Lake City, a tough ask for the Fritz but one they may just be able to answer.
16 Iowa Hawkeyes [5-1, 2-1 B1G] (-4) | SOR: #15 | Notable Results: W 20-19 @ Michigan [4-2], L 14-31 vs #3 Ohio State [6-1] |

The Hawkeyes were on bye this past week after manhandling the Huskies in Seattle, which is probably for the best considering the chaos that erupted all around them. Their slide in the rankings is more a byproduct of other teams putting up impressive results while they rested more than anything their own resume did, which isn't the worst thing in the world. A manageable schedule exists in front of them to take advantage of, where B1G title dreams and playoff hopes await.
17 Arizona Wildcats [5-1, 2-1 Big 12] (+1) | SOR: #30 | Notable Results: L 17-28 @ #1 BYU [6-0], W 34-7 vs Cincinnati [4-2], W 52-31 @ West Virginia [4-3] |

Another team successfully avoiding the chaos by a timely bye week, the Wildcats are essentially buoyed by their blowout wins against middling conference opposition and a spirited effort against the now top-ranked Cougars. Handle business against a depleted Cyclones squad, and their following matchup against the Red Raiders gives them perfect opportunity to insert themselves into the Big 12 title race.
18 LSU Tigers [5-2, 2-2 SEC] (NEW) | SOR: #27 | Notable Results: W 51-10 vs Clemson [4-2], L 24-32 @ #11 Ole Miss [6-1], L 34-35 (OT) @ #14 Kentucky [6-1], W 31-0 vs DO/HM Mississippi State [4-2] |

Lane Kiffin may have just saved his first season in Baton Rouge with a blowout victory against a Kamario Taylor-less Mississippi State this past weekend. While the close losses to both his old team and Kentucky certainly sting and cast a ceiling on their ranking, potential still exists for them to sneak their way into the playoffs. Hell, with enough chaos, perhaps a berth in the SEC Title game isn't out of the question. But a lot relies upon QB Sam Leavitt continuing to increase his chemistry with his weapons on offense and the trench play continuing to manhandle their opposition.
19 Northwestern Wildcats [5-1, 2-1 B1G] (-) | SOR: #19 | Notable Results: W 34-18 vs FCS #5 South Dakota State [5-2], L 23-29 @ #5 Indiana [6-1], W 24-21 @ Michigan State [2-5] |

There is nothing to see here, no close games against the hapless Spartans led by their own coach here, nope.
20 USC Trojans [6-1, 3-1 B1G] (NEW) | SOR: #18 | Notable Results: W 42-35 @ Rutgers [2-4], L 27-41 vs HM Oregon [4-2], W 25-21 vs Washington [4-3], W 31-23 @ Penn State [3-4] (White Out) |

I'm more impressed Riley managed to out-coach someone in the dying moments of a game. That defense is still shambolic.
21 SMU Mustangs [5-1, 3-1 ACC] (NEW) | SOR: #24 | Notable Results: W 27-24 @ Florida State [3-3], L 31-41 @ Louisville [4-3] |

The Mustangs need to stop playing with their food, or they'll get burned like they did in Louisville.
22 James Madison Dukes [7-0, 4-0 Sun Belt] (+3) | SOR: #23 | Notable Results: W 20-13 vs Liberty [5-1], W 49-22 vs Georgia State [4-2] |

Another week, another absolutely dominant win (barring Liberty).
23 Florida Gators [5-2, 3-2 SEC] (NEW) | SOR: #17 | Notable Results: W 44-39 @ HM Auburn [4-2], W 52-28 vs #11 Ole Miss [6-1], L 17-45 @ DO/HM Missouri [5-2], L 19-38 vs South Carolina [3-3], W 27-24 @ #24 Texas [4-2] |

WHAT EVEN ARE YOU
24 Texas Longhorns [4-2, 1-2 SEC] (-17) | SOR: #21 | Notable Results: W 24-23 vs #3 Ohio State [6-1], W 30-6 vs HM UTSA [6-1], W 20-17 @ #7 Tennessee [6-1], L 24-27 vs Oklahoma [3-3] (Cotton Bowl), L 24-27 vs #23 Florida [5-2] |

Oh dear. That offense has only regressed. Back-to-back losses to unranked teams (including a hated rival) is absolutely killer.
25 Boise State Broncos [5-1, 2-0] (-1) | SOR: #25 | Notable Results: L 27-34 @ HM Oregon [4-2], W 38-20 vs Memphis [5-2], W 38-24 vs FCS #8 South Dakota [6-2], W 32-7 @ Western Michigan [5-2] |

On bye. Avoided the chaos. Probably counts as a win in Spencer Danielson's eyes.

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