Back to poll results >>

Tornadohunter24 Ballot for 2026 Week 10

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Nov. 3, 2026, 10:59 a.m.

Overall Rationale: We're (Georgia Tech) going 2-10. RIP

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 try to rank everyone from scratch. 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 will still be biased towards talent/recruiting rankings and give odd results, 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: Any FCS ranks are from the STATS poll. Furthermore, don't expect a detailed ballot from me next week - I'll be out of town and will not have time to do much more than rank. I'm sure all 1 of you (me) that care are disappointed.

| TEAMS DROPPING OUT (DO): #20 Florida Gators [5-3, 3-3 SEC], #21 SMU Mustangs [6-2, 4-2 ACC], #23 Wisconsin Badgers [5-3, 3-2 B1G]

| HONORABLE MENTIONS (HM): South Carolina Gamecocks [5-3, 3-3 SEC], Minnesota Golden Gophers [5-3, 3-2 B1G], Florida Gators [5-3, 3-3 SEC], Virginia Tech Hokies [6-2, 3-2 ACC], Oregon Ducks [5-3, 3-2 B1G], SMU Mustangs [6-2, 4-2 ACC], Memphis Tigers [7-2, 4-1 American], Clemson Tigers [5-3, 3-2 ACC], Wisconsin Badgers [5-3, 3-2 B1G], Liberty Flames [7-1, 4-0 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/ | WEEK 8 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/77302/ | WEEK 9 BALLOT: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/77741/

Rank Team Reason
1 Utah Utes [8-0, 5-0 Big 12] (+2) | SOR: #5 | Notable Results: W 27-24 @ Colorado [3-5], W 21-13 vs #16 Houston [6-2], W 49-25 @ Cincinnati [5-3] |

This weekend, Utah had to make the trek to Cincinnati to face a squad fueled with momentum off of a massive upset of Texas Tech by a convincing margin. The Utes proceeded to put the game to bed before halftime to the tune of 6 Touchdowns before halftime, and their recent performances give me enough belief in them to place them *just* ahead of the undefeated Hurricanes in #2, despite a worse SOR and SOS (though admittedly, I'm under the belief that the FPI/SOS mechanism ESPN uses undervalues the Big 12 compared to the other 3 conferences just a smidge, so take those numbers lightly). Regardless, even with Dampier's occasional hankering for a silly turnover, there is no reason to not believe that Utah has the strongest resume and performance to date, even with that close scare against Colorado last month.
2 Miami Hurricanes [8-0, 6-0 ACC] (-1) | SOR: #1 | Notable Results: W 33-20 @ #10 Wake Forest [7-1], W 43-35 (2OT) vs Florida State [3-5], W 52-23 vs Pittsburgh [6-3], W 38-35 @ North Carolina [4-4] |

Survive and escape with the win seems to be somewhat of a common theme of Miami over the past few weeks, utter destruction of a weakened Pitt team without their original QB aside. They made the trek up to North Carolina, and ol' Bill on Chapel Hill remembered that he doesn't particularly like teams from Miami all that much and set out to cause a shocking upset. It wasn't quite to be thanks to some untimely penalties and the Miami offense once again proving itself as one of the best in the nation, but that defense lacks the edge that they had last year. Don't be surprised if Miami finds itself in several more shootouts before the year is done.

For what it's worth, the Hurricanes are still favorites for both the #1 seed in the CFP and the ACC Championship (now tell me if you've heard this before...). However, their recent stretch of nailbiters has me worried about their defense costing them another shot at the title, like it did in 2024. For now, they sit at #2, with the best SOR in the nation.
3 Georgia Bulldogs [7-1, 5-1 SEC] (+5) | SOR: #6 | Notable Results: W 20-17 @ #13 Alabama [6-2], L 24-27 vs Auburn [4-4], W 27-8 vs DO/HM Florida [5-3] (in Atlanta) |

As everyone probably could have predicted, Kirby Smart has done an excellent job turning the blemish at home vs Auburn into bulletin board material, given their dominance in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, which is neither outdoor nor cocktails, nor much of a party given it was turned into a sponsored game at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Regardless, they still have a very solid win in their triumph in Tuscaloosa, and the destruction of the Gators (partially self-induced) helps them jump past some of the other teams in the top 10. It remains to be seen if they can avoid the curse of the AP #2 (and whether the CFP agrees with that), but the Bulldogs do look typically stout on both sides of the ball and in the trenches. They're still the favorite for the SEC Title and a top seed in the Playoffs for a reason.
4 UCLA Bruins [8-0, 5-0 B1G] (-) | SOR: #3 | Notable Results: W 17-15 @ HM Oregon [5-3], W 17-7 vs DO/HM Wisconsin [5-3] |

The Bruins didn't have much to worry about this past weekend, as they dismantled the Wolfpack from Nevada without much trouble en route to a remarkable 8-0 start for the first time since 1998 (just don't ask a Bruins fan how that season ended). UCLA in general has been able to take advantage of a weaker-than-expected schedule to put themselves firmly in the Drivers' Seat for the B1G Title and a guaranteed berth in the CFP, but Chesney's 1st squad in Los Angeles must still mind the roadblocks ahead. Two potentially tricky games away in Minneapolis and Ann Arbor are definitely worth noting, and their home finale against the hated Trojans looks to be critical for the Playoff race. Solid on both sides of the ball and able to handle the loss of Nico for the year well, the Bruins are comfortably sat at #4 this week.
5 BYU Cougars [7-1, 4-1 Big 12] (-) | SOR: #12 | Notable Results: W 28-17 vs #20 Arizona [6-2], W 28-24 vs #6 Notre Dame [7-1], L 31-39 (2OT) @ UCF [4-4], W 27-20 vs Arizona State [4-4] |

I don't know exactly have what Sitake's record in 1-score games is off the top of my head, but he has a penchant for finding himself embroiled in such affairs (and unlike Nebraska, usually emerging triumphant). The bitter taste of defeat in the Bounce House is still evident in this tested Cougars squad, and another display of Big 12 reffing ineptitude haunts them like a spectre; fitting, given their tense affair with the Sun Devils this past weekend. BYU keeps winning and still maintains a solid body of work, so I don't have much reason to drop them, but they'll need to find something new deeper in the playbook if they want to stop hated rival Utah's undefeated season in their tracks. However that Holy War plays out, the winner will find themselves in the lead for a spot in Arlington and a shot at the CFP. I wonder if Scalley somehow offended Bachmeier by noting his family's eating behavior like Notre Dame apparently did...
6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish [7-1, Independent] (-) | SOR: #13 | Notable Results: W 41-13 vs DO/HM Wisconsin [5-3] (at Lambeau Field), L 24-28 @ #5 BYU [7-1] |

It's rare for a 22-point win against a rival to feel like a disappointment, but given the collapse of the Badgers this past weekend and an overall unfortunate set of outcomes for their previous opponents, the Fighting Irish are probably annoyed that their resume took a hit and prevented any real movement this week. Combine that with continued frustrations over playcalling on both sides of the ball and Notre Dame finds themselves feeling like their season is once again staked on a date with the Hurricanes, this time in South Bend. If Chris Ash is worth the money spent on keeping him salaried, then he'll find a way to at least temporarily halt an incredibly efficient Darian Mensah and smother a superstar in Malachi Toney. Otherwise, it could be a long night in northern Indiana.
7 Indiana Hoosiers [8-1, 5-1 B1G] (-) | SOR: #4 | Notable Results: W 29-23 vs #24 Northwestern [6-2], W 20-17 @ Nebraska [5-3], L 15-19 vs #12 Ohio State [6-2], W 13-6 (OT) @ Michigan [5-3], W 23-16 (OT) vs HM Minnesota [5-3] |

The Hoosiers are an incredibly frustrating team to assess this year, given their continued struggles at QB (and yes, this will be a repeated statement for several other teams on this list. It's been a weird year). They are clearly talented, but their O-Line hasn't imposed their will as much as expected, and their NFL-bound receivers are having to make massive leaps just to ensure that they can continue moving the football. Both the defense and the special teams units deserve their flowers after this past weekend, however (despite an earlier mistake by the long-snapper for a FG), keeping them alive just long enough for the offense to remember that they're stacked too. Again, Cignetti is one of the best college football coaches (in spite of his time management issues - seriously, how does every team not already have an analyst specifically paid just for this???), and he's clearly built a contender in Bloomington, but it's a notable dropoff from last year's dream season. How Indiana handles their bye before tackling a stout Trojans squad will go a long way in determining their potential for a repeat.
8 Kentucky Wildcats [7-1, 5-1 SEC] (+1) | SOR: #1 | Notable Results: L 17-45 vs #13 Alabama [6-2], W 35-34 (OT) @ HM South Carolina [5-3], W 35-34 (OT) vs #15 LSU [6-2], W 21-13 @ Oklahoma [4-4] |

The Wildcats were on bye this past weekend, and so nothing notably changed about their previous assessment - a team with great coaching and the offensive talent to go far if they can maintain their performance against their backloaded schedule. They do jump up a place despite their inaction, thanks in part to the winning ways of Beamerball and Kiffin's wild ride, but they're limited until they can add some additional ranked wins to their collection. However, I would be a fool to count out Stein's squad from their potential to earn not only a spot in Atlanta but a position to seriously challenge for a national title... just don't look at how they collapsed in the 4th quarter against Alabama. Tennessee this weekend will tell us a lot about how feasible those hopes are.
9 Texas Tech Red Raiders [7-1, 4-1 Big 12] (+1) | SOR: #17 | Notable Results: W 28-26 vs #16 Houston [6-2], L 24-37 @ Cincinnati [5-3], W 34-26 vs #20 Arizona [6-2] |

This past weekend, the Red Raiders managed to regroup themselves after a thrashing at the hands of the Bearcats to fend off a team with a different feline mascot: the upset-minded Arizona Wildcats, themselves a fringe contender for a trip to Arlington. McGuire's squad were up for the challenge, and secured themselves a crucial win. Now, there still exists a ton of uncertainty about their ability to repeat as Big 12 champions, for good reason - they have yet to play at a top level for all 4 quarters of a game, they still feel underpowered under center, and the trenches aren't quite what they were last year, with big losses defensively in particular. However, Texas Tech still looks like a solid pick for a participant in the final Big 12 game, and to count them out would be a fool's errand.
10 Wake Forest Demon Deacons [7-1, 5-1 ACC] (+1) | SOR: #11 | Notable Results: W 38-36 (2OT) @ Purdue [3-4], L 20-33 vs #2 Miami [8-0], W 30-27 @ Louisville [5-3] |

It feels odd to only have the potential to note their performances in September considering their recent streak of form. The Demon Deacons have yet to allow a team to remain within 3 scores of them since their upset of the Cardinals in Louisville (who were ranked at the time) and have absolutely terrorized the lower and mid- levels of the ACC with some absolutely ridiculous performances on both offense and defense. Gio Lopez has managed to turn himself into a fringe Heisman candidate, and their rushing attack has had bursts of some real potential behind an impressive O-Line. Dickert's squad is well ahead of schedule and clearly looking forward to a potential rematch with the Hurricanes in Charlotte, but they still have to survive a few more weeks, with games in Dallas against the Mustangs and at rival Duke still left on the schedule.
11 Texas Longhorns [6-2, 3-2 SEC] (+2) | SOR: #10 | Notable Results: W 24-23 vs #12 Ohio State [6-2], W 30-6 vs #23 UTSA [7-1], W 20-17 @ #18 Tennessee [6-2], L 24-27 vs Oklahoma [4-4] (Cotton Bowl), L 24-27 vs DO/HM Florida [5-3], W 34-27 vs #14 Ole Miss [6-2] |

The past couple of weeks have been a nice change of fortune for the Longhorns, and their rank has been increased to just outside the top 10 in reflection of this. While it's still likely that Sark needs to have a dedicated OC in the future, the rest of the team has been able to take advantage of weaknesses in their opponents and pounce on the opportunity. Now obviously, Arch Manning is still somewhat of a headcase, and the less said about that dismal special teams' performance on the onside kick, the better. But there's reason for optimism in Austin and the route to challenge for not only the SEC Title once again but perhaps a CFP bid as well remains alive and well. Just don't look at how poorly their loss to Oklahoma is aging.
12 Ohio State Buckeyes [6-2, 4-1 B1G] (-10) | SOR: #9 | Notable Results: L 23-24 @ #11 Texas [6-2], W 31-14 @ #19 Iowa [6-2], W 19-15 @ #7 Indiana [7-1], L 18-30 @ #17 USC [7-2] |

Having to start a backup QB is a rough scenario for any team, but if there was any squad designed around making the transition as seamless as it could be, it'd be the Buckeyes. Or, at least I thought so, until this past weekend. Even with the advantage of a bye and the most talented receiver room in the nation, the rest of the squad's glaring issues (weaker trenches, poor playcalling, poor game management) came to light in glaringly obvious fashion in a rainy, muddy affair in Los Angeles. The typically solid defense crumbled under the assault of Maiava's arm (and some impressive agility from his receivers and tight ends) and the Buckeyes now face a near-must win out scenario to keep themselves alive in the B1G Title race. Fahey will have to take the next step and quickly, or more questions will be asked of Ryan Day by the Lunatic Fringe.
13 Alabama Crimson Tide [6-2, 4-2 SEC] (-1) | SOR: #8 | Notable Results: W 45-17 @ #8 Kentucky [7-1], W 49-18 vs HM South Carolina [5-3], L 17-20 vs #3 Georgia [7-1], L 10-26 @ #18 Tennessee [6-2] |

Similar to Kentucky, the Crimson Tide found themselves on a weekend off and could only sit back and observe the chaos around them. While some of their wins have continued to age well (over the Wildcats and Gamecocks in particular), there still feels like that there's something amiss in Tuscaloosa, even compared to Ty Simpson's purple patch last year. For whatever exact reason it is, Alabama has struggled to put together complete games, and while DeBoer still finds his seat cool, it could easily heat up if the Tide don't assert dominance over the Tigers from Baton Rouge this weekend.
14 Ole Miss Rebels [6-2, 4-2 SEC] (+1) | SOR: #9 | Notable Results: W 41-38 vs Louisville [5-3] (in Nashville), W 32-24 vs #15 LSU [6-2], L 28-52 @ DO/HM Florida [5-3], W 31-3 vs #21 Missouri [6-2], L 27-34 @ #11 Texas [6-2] |

The Rebels took care of business against an inconsistent Auburn squad who kept it close before Chambliss and Lacey broke open the game in the 4th Quarter and never looked back. This edition of Ole Miss doesn't quite appear to be as potent as last year's semifinalists, but there's still enough left under new HC Pete Golding to have hope for a shot at the SEC Title and the CFP. That defense does need to shape up, though.
15 LSU Tigers [6-2, 3-2 SEC] (+1) | SOR: #16 | Notable Results: W 51-10 vs HM Clemson [5-3], L 24-32 @ #14 Ole Miss [6-2], L 34-35 (OT) @ #8 Kentucky [7-1] |

Even in a week where the Tigers rested, Lane Kiffin found a way to raise a stink and get his name in the news. It's almost impressive about how he's able to keep himself a talking point. That said, LSU remains a dangerous opponent for any team, and Leavitt under center appears to finally be connecting with his pass-catchers in a way that will set up the Tigers for greater things. This could all come crashing down with one poor performance against the Tide this upcoming weekend, however.
16 Houston Cougars [6-2, 3-2 Big 12] (+1) | SOR: #21 | Notable Results: L 26-28 @ #9 Texas Tech [7-1], W 35-32 vs Oklahoma State [5-3], L 13-21 @ #1 Utah [8-0] |

Another team on bye, the Coogs were not quite themselves given the battering Weigman took under center, and while their losses have aged well, not enough has appreciably changed about their performance or their resume to merit a higher position. Worse still is that they're not in control of their destiny for the Big 12, and it's tough to imagine a route where they can find themselves in Arlington despite their performance. Fritz will need to keep his squad focused if they want any shot at postseason glory.
17 USC Trojans [7-2, 4-2 B1G] (NEW) | SOR: #14 | Notable Results: W 42-35 @ Rutgers [2-6], L 27-41 vs HM Oregon [5-3], W 25-21 vs Washington [5-3], W 31-23 @ Penn State [4-4], L 7-24 @ DO/HM Wisconsin [5-3], W 30-18 vs #12 Ohio State [6-2] |

Well, I'll be damned. Lincoln Riley gets a signature win against a top-tier opponent (albeit one missing a QB) in a season many had already written off as another failure following the Wisconsin loss. The Trojans are still somewhat shaky, especially on defense, but that offense can produce game-winning performances, and USC could still find itself in the midst of the B1G Title hunt as long as they keep playing like they did last weekend.
18 Tennessee Volunteers [6-2, 3-2 SEC] (-) | SOR: #18 | Notable Results: L 17-20 vs #11 Texas [6-2], W 24-17 @ Arkansas [3-5], W 26-10 vs #13 Alabama [6-2], L 24-27 @ HM South Carolina [5-3] |

Another team on bye in this list, but considering the struggles offensively, a much needed one for the Volunteers. The Vols still are a talented squad, but they appear to be a tier below the true contenders for the conference. Knock off a 1-loss Kentucky this weekend and the narrative changes quite dramatically for Heupel's squad.
19 Iowa Hawkeyes [6-2, 3-2 B1G] (-5) | SOR: #23 | Notable Results: W 16-13 vs Iowa State [4-4], W 20-19 @ Michigan [5-3], L 14-31 vs #12 Ohio State [6-2], L 10-13 @ HM Minnesota [5-3], W 30-0 vs DO/HM Wisconsin [5-3] |

I don't know what it is, but I'm convinced Kirk Ferentz is eternal. He and Phil Parker schemed up a defensive masterclass this past weekend in Kinnick, relegating the previously-ranked Badgers back into the Honorable Mentions section. Build the statue... hopefully not under center at QB.
20 Arizona Wildcats [6-2, 3-2 Big 12] (-6) | SOR: #30 | Notable Results: L 17-28 @ #5 BYU [7-1], W 34-7 vs Cincinnati [5-3], W 52-31 @ West Virginia [5-3], L 26-34 @ #9 Texas Tech [7-1] |

A tough loss on the road is quite the setback for the Wildcats, but they're still alive in the Big 12 Title hunt as long as they can regroup and take care of business against the Utes in 2 weeks.
21 Missouri Tigers [6-2, 3-2 SEC] (NEW) | SOR: #20 | Notable Results: L 24-31 @ Mississippi State [4-4], W 45-17 vs DO/HM Florida [5-3], L 3-31 @ #14 Ole Miss [6-2] |

Missouri is a team that just fits in the upper midcard of the SEC. They're good enough to beat the bottom half of the conference and challenge the rest, but when it comes to the true contenders, Drinkwitz falters and cannot hang. We'll see if that changes later this season.
22 Boise State Broncos [7-1, 4-0 Pac-12] (-) | SOR: #19 | Notable Results: L 27-34 @ HM Oregon [5-3], W 38-20 vs HM Memphis [7-2], W 38-24 vs FCS #8 South Dakota [7-3], W 38-31 @ Fresno State [5-3], W 46-45 vs Texas State [4-4] |

PAC-12. After Dark. Is so back, oh my god that game was ridiculous and incredible (and traumatizing as a Falcons fan).
23 UTSA Roadrunners [7-1, 4-0 American] (+2) | SOR: #22 | Notable Results: L 6-30 @ #11 Texas [6-2], W 16-14 @ Rice [1-7], W 31-24 vs South Florida [6-2], W 38-34 vs Navy [2-5] |

On bye, but their wins and loss keep looking better and better, so here they are, despite some close affairs. A dark horse for the G6 spot.
24 Northwestern Wildcats [6-2, 3-2 B1G] (-5) | SOR: #24 | Notable Results: W 34-18 vs FCS #5 South Dakota State [7-2], L 23-29 @ #7 Indiana [7-1], W 24-21 @ Michigan State [2-6], L 26-34 @ HM Oregon [5-3] |

Eugene is a tough place to win in for a reason. It's not over for Braun and his merry Cats, but the route to the B1G Title game and CFP are now much harder than they were a week ago.
25 New Mexico Lobos [7-1, 4-0 MWC] (-1) | SOR: #32 | Notable Results: L 6-14 @ Oklahoma [4-4], W 21-16 vs North Dakota State [7-2], W 21-16 @ San Jose State [4-5] |

Jason Eck will be a P4 coach next year, and that's a shame given how great he has been for New Mexico. While the offense is still hot and cold, the defense is rock solid and can give any team a true challenge.

Back to poll results >>