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Xy13 Ballot for 2026 Week 9

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Oct. 26, 2026, 2:21 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Records and Eyeballs

Rank Team Reason
1 Miami Hurricanes Back in form after the rivarly game scare, continuing to put up video game numbers. If the trends continue I think Mensah/Toney might finish 1/2 in Heisman?
2 Utah Utes Pick up a ranked win over Houston. Maybe receny effect putting them over UCLA? Maybe not.
3 UCLA Bruins UCLA's signature win (@13ORE) has declined in value immensely, but they continue to be undefeated even with a backup QB.
4 Indiana Hoosiers I debated a lot for the first 1 loss team. Ultimately I went with the reigning NCs. Their one loss is by a foot (literally) to OSU, and they are 7-1. They're the top P4 scoring defense, and 3rd P4 in sack count.
5 Kentucky Wildcats Kentucky. I'm still not sure how they're here, but they continue to surprise. Their OT W agaisnt SCAR looks a little better now too now that SCAR beat Florida and Tennessee back to back. Current SEC leader 7-1.
6 Ohio State Buckeyes OSU has lost their QB1, and is only 6-1, which is why they were not 4 or 5. I still have them above many other and1 teams. Though the quality of their loss to Texas is slipping as well.
7 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Maybe should've ranked the Demons higher earlier. Their one loss was a competitive one to current #1 MIA, and when looking at common opponents of other teams, they beat stanford better than ND, and Cal bette than UCLA did, etc.
8 Georgia Bulldogs Just one loss to an unranked auburn, bye week.
9 BYU Cougars Ouch. Questionable decisions lead to an upset at UCF. Still was down to a one score game.
10 Arizona Wildcats Fifita appears to be firing on all cylinders (How is this guy still in college though, weren't he and TMAC class mates?), Only loss is to BYU.
11 Texas Tech Red Raiders They did not look good in their upset to unranked Cincinnati. They have not lived up to their hype all season, really. Maybe this will be the kick in the pants they need to wake up.
12 Northwestern Wildcats Only loss is by 6 @ Indiana. Aiden Chiles has been a surprise hit at QB. Great 1st year for their new stadium!
13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sitting the bye after losing their 1 hard game of the year so far. Sad thing is they could lose to BYU, MIA, and SMU, and they'll probably still get in.
14 SMU Mustangs They continue to roll through ACC conference play. Their one loss was close with Louisville.
15 LSU Tigers Our first 1 loss team, one being an OT loss vs Kentucky. LSU still feels like one of the quickest, most explosive teams I've watched on both offense and defense. I feel their potential is still one of the highest in SEC, if they can just shore up their lows.
16 Florida Gators The gators go to Austin and Chomp on some longhorn beef. They host UGA this weekend and if they can beat TX and UGA back to back they will no doubt be the top ranked 2 loss team, maybe into the top 10.
17 Texas Longhorns Started the season big with an OOC win over OSU, the longhorns have now fallen to 2-2 in conference play. Is the locker room falling apart or going to regroup?
18 Alabama Crimson Tide For a few series the Tide we're making Marcel Reed look good, and we were wondering if the season was over for Bama. But they got it together.
19 Houston Cougars A close, competitive loss to Utah for the Cougs. Allowed the last score intentionally for clock management purposes, but weren't able to score to go to OT. Houston has beaten everyone they were supposed to, and probably will win out the rest of the regular season, but lost to Utah and TTU, which was the pre season predictions.
20 Tennessee Volunteers Sellers had some big moments which will likely end up getting some NFL staffers fired when they draft him, to the dismay of the Vols. Another tricky team to get a beat on. They barely lose to Texas, then handily beat Bama, then lose to SCAR.
21 Boise State Broncos The current ~~MW~~ PAC12 leader and likely G6 slot in the CFP. 6-1
22 James Madison Dukes An unfortunate upset ruins their undefeated season, they fall to 7-1. SBC favorites, possible G6 spot.
23 New Mexico Lobos 6-1 the lobos are the turnover leaders in all of CFB. Luck, or scheme and skill? Lead the MW
24 UTSA Roadrunners 7-1 lead the American Conference
25 USC Trojans I thought about putting a lot of different teams here. Ok St, Iowa, Ole Miss, Mizzou, Wisconsin.. but at the end of the day, they're all 5-2, while USC is 6-2.

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