Graphic by the Author and Google AI
The only ranked teams consistently showing they want it all in 2026 are Miami, Utah, and UCLA
1. Miami (8-0) (Last Week #1) (Ranked #1 in the CFP) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It was close, and it was a battle, but Miami put North Carolina away. That’ll make them the top team heading into the game with Notre Dame in South Bend this coming week. It’s also become clear that the Heisman is currently Darian Mensah’s to lose. Something that gets lost in seeing Mensah and Malachi Toney is that the Hurricanes defense is in the top 30 in both yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.
2. Utah (8-0) (Last Week #2) (Ranked #3 in the CFP) (Ranked #3 and #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
A lot of people are criticizing Utah’s schedule, but there are two things that can’t be forgotten no matter what your opinion of their schedule is. They’re one of only three remaining undefeated teams in college football. They’ve also been crushing almost everyone in their path. When you’re undefeated, that goose egg in the loss column speaks louder than anything any critic and sling at you. They have another opportunity to get a big win this week in the Holy War rivalry against BYU.
3. UCLA (8-0) (Last Week #3) (Ranked #8 in the CFP) (#5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
How long can UCLA stay undefeated? With Minnesota, Illinois, UM, and USC left, there’s no reason UCLA should go 12-0 and make it to the Big Ten championship in Bob Chesney’s first year. Even if they go 11-1, they have a very good shot to play in Indianapolis in December. Playing at Minnesota won’t be easy, but UCLA should be 9-0 this time next week.
4. BYU (7-1) (Last Week #5) (Ranked #9 in the CFP) (Ranked #7 and #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
BYU bounced back from the UCF loss with a slugging-it-out win against Arizona State. The Cougars did two things better against the Sun Devils than they did against the Knights, too. They finished better on defense and trusted Bear Bachmeier and the passing game more on offense. They’ll need to do this even more this Saturday in Salt Lake City to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
5. Notre Dame (7-1) (Last Week #6) (Ranked #11 in the CFP) (Ranked #4 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Notre Dame marched on with a win over Navy and the unique challenge their triple option offense presents. The Irish enter a must-win scenario now when they host Miami this Saturday. Right or wrong, if they don’t beat the Hurricanes, they’re probably out of the College Football Playoff. They won’t be able to buck the narrative that will surround them with a loss to Miami. Every time they’re mentioned, it will be that they lost to the two best teams on their schedule. They have to beat the Hurricanes at home on Saturday.
6. Indiana (8-1) (Last Week #7) (Ranked #4 in the CFP) (Ranked #6 and #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Winning when you shouldn’t is the mark of a champion, and that’s what Indiana has done a lot this season. They did that a lot last year, too. Thanks to the heroics of all-American wide receiver Charlie Becker, they were able to beat Minnesota at home in overtime. Indiana will get a much-needed week off to begin November.
7. Wake Forest (7-1) (Last Week #9) (Ranked #16 in the CFP) (#14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I wouldn’t have thought that, entering November, Wake Forest, of all teams, would be one of only 14 teams left with one or fewer losses in the FBS. SEC bias tries to downplay their schedule, but if being 7-1 or better were easy, everyone would do it. They can’t downplay Wake Forest’s schedule too much without making themselves look bad. Even next week’s game against an FCS team, like most SEC teams do in November.
8. Georgia (7-1) (Last Week #12) (Ranked #2 in the CFP) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
When the SEC beats each other up, it’s because of their strength, but when any other conference does it, it makes them weak. I’m going with the idea applied equally everywhere, which is why Georgia and Kentucky are ranked this far down.
9. Kentucky (7-1) (Last Week #13) (Ranked #6 in the CFP) (Ranked #8 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Wildcats have a bye this week before they head to Knoxville to play archrival Tennessee in a pivotal conference game for both teams. Kentucky will need a win to stay alive for an SEC championship opportunity.
10. Texas Tech (7-1) (Last Week #14) (Ranked #15 in the CFP) (Ranked #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I still can’t quite figure out how the Red Raiders couldn’t beat Cincinnati. Beating Houston and Arizona says more positive things about Texas Tech than what’s starting to look like a fluke loss on the road to UC does. Their defense will have another chance to show the Cincy game was the exception and not the rule when they host a powerful West Virginia offense this week.
11. Boise State (7-1) (Last Week #15) (Ranked #25 in the CFP) (Ranked #20 and #21 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It took a wild fourth-quarter shootout with Texas State to keep them here, but Boise State is still the Group of Six team to beat. Seven straight wins will do that. The Broncos should have no problem with Colorado State this week as long as they don’t get caught looking ahead to Jesse Legree and Oregon State the following week.
12. Liberty (7-1) (Last Week #17) (Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Another G6 team with a seven-game winning streak, Liberty is having a good year under head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Flames control their own destiny in Conference USA. Unfortunately, they would need a good deal of help to get into the conversation for the Group of Six CFP spot. They just have to keep winning, including next against New Mexico State.
13. New Mexico (7-1) (Last Week #18) (Unranked in the CFP) (#22 and #25 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Alone at the top of the Mountain West standings, the Lobos have played well this year, especially on defense. They’ll travel to Nevada this week to take on the Wolf Pack, and then begin the toughest stretch of their schedule, ending the season against the other three teams closest to them in the conference standings: UNLV, Wyoming, and Air Force.
14. UTSA (7-1) (Last Week #19) (Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
UTSA is off this week. After their bye, they’ll face Florida Atlantic on Thursday night on November 5th.
15. Tennessee (6-2) (Last Week #20) (Ranked #13 in the CFP) (Ranked #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Tennessee has their bye this week. The Vols will be at home next week when they host archrival Kentucky. Tennessee is in win-or-go-home mode with two losses, and Kentucky is the best they’ve been in a very long time.
16. Houston (6-2) (Last Week #21) (Ranked #17 in the CFP) (Ranked #17 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Cougars had this week off. Houston will host Cincinnati on November 7th.
17. USC (7-2) (Last Week #24) (Ranked #20 in the CFP) (Ranked #18 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Not everyone can seize a win when an opponent offers them one. USC did against Ohio State. They were behind the Buckeyes on every team stat in the game except the most important one, the score. Now they get to rest an extra week before going on the road to play at Indiana.
18. Alabama (6-2) (Last Week #25) (Ranked #5 in the CFP) (#19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Bama had their bye this week. They’ll be a part of the big slate of games on November 7th, when they travel to Baton Rouge to play LSU.
19. Texas (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #7 in the CFP) (#10 and #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With no room left for error, Texas defeated Mississippi State to set up another big game this upcoming week. They’ll play at Missouri. The Tigers are a very capable team that could defeat the Longhorns if Texas isn’t prepared and locked in, especially in Columbia, Missouri. Texas wins and keeps their postseason hopes alive this week at Mizzou.
20. Ohio State (6-2) (Last Week #4) (Ranked #12 in the CFP) (Ranked #11 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I don’t see Ohio State staying in the top 25 much longer. They refuse to learn or adjust, and you won’t keep getting wins when that is the case. You get spiked by a USC team that had looked on the ropes in every single game this season. OSU now has to host 5-3 Oregon, another team that had been at the top to start the year and has fallen far. Ohio State may have a November to forget.
21. Iowa (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #19 in the CFP) (Ranked #21 and #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Iowa got a huge win over Wisconsin. It’s pretty typical of Iowa that when you think you have them figured out, they surprise you and get an important win. Next week they’ll have to be on the road against one of the surprise teams of the Big Ten when they play at Northwestern.
22. Northwestern (6-2) (Last Week #8) (Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked and #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The loss at Oregon hurts, especially since it was so close, but no one predicted the Wildcats would enter November bowl-eligible with a 6-2 record. They’ll have a big one this weekend against Iowa at Ryan Field in Evanston. Northwestern has been known to give Iowa fits under Kirk Ferentz, with an 11-13 record against Iowa’s legendary coach.
23. Arizona (6-2) (Last Week #11) (Ranked #22 in the CFP) (Ranked #24 and #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Arizona’s hopes for a Big 12 title likely died when they lost a battle to Texas Tech. Still, crazier things have happened so they need to get back to winning when they host TCU in Tucson on Friday, November 6th.
24. North Dakota State (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Bison rebounded from their loss at New Mexico with a 31-7 win over UTEP at home. They needed that win as they only have three games to go. They have the week off before a huge road trip to Hawaii on November 14th.
25. Air Force (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s out of conference, but Air Force may have their biggest game of the year coming up this week when they head east to play the Army Black Knights. The Air Force will look to invade West Point and will do so on Fox’s game of the week, too.
On the Radar: LSU, Duke, Ole Miss, Missouri, and SMU
Playoff Projection
