Georgia leads the 2026 college football Top 25, followed by Notre Dame and Miami. See all 25 ranked teams, their records, major risers, and the biggest stories shaping the College Football Playoff race.
College football is heating up, and the latest AP Top 25 has delivered major changes at the top. Georgia has claimed the No. 1 spot, Notre Dame and Miami remain undefeated, and Indiana has surged into the top five. Meanwhile, Texas has fallen after a rivalry loss, and Kentucky has made a statement by entering the rankings.
Whether you’re following the national championship race, tracking your favorite team, or looking for the latest college football rankings, this guide breaks down the Top 25 college football teams for the 2026 season, including their records and what makes each program worth watching.
Top 25 College Football Rankings 2026
The following rankings are from the AP Top 25 poll released October 11, 2026, following Week 6 games. Records reflect the poll’s published standings. Rankings can change every week as teams win, lose, and face tougher opponents.
| Rank | College football team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Bulldogs | 6–0 |
| 2 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 6–0 |
| 3 | Miami Hurricanes | 5–0 |
| 4 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 5–1 |
| 5 | Indiana Hoosiers | 6–0 |
| 6 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 5–1 |
| 7 | Texas Longhorns | 4–1 |
| 8 | BYU Cougars | 5–0 |
| 9 | Ole Miss Rebels | 4–1 |
| 10 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | 5–0 |
| 11 | Utah Utes | 5–0 |
| 12 | UCLA Bruins | 5–0 |
| 13 | Missouri Tigers | 5–1 |
| 14 | Tennessee Volunteers | 5–1 |
| 15 | Kentucky Wildcats | 5–1 |
| 16 | Mississippi State Bulldogs | 4–1 |
| 17 | Iowa Hawkeyes | 5–1 |
| 18 | Oklahoma State Cowboys | 4–1 |
| 19 | USC Trojans | 6–1 |
| 20 | Houston Cougars | 5–1 |
| 21 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | 5–1 |
| 22 | LSU Tigers | 4–2 |
| 23 | Boise State Broncos | 5–1 |
| 24 | SMU Mustangs | 4–1 |
| 25 | Northwestern Wildcats | 4–1 |
*Source: AP Top 25 poll published October 11, 2026.
Top 10 College Football Teams to Watch
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia sits at No. 1 after defeating Alabama 20–17 on the road. The Bulldogs are 6–0 and received 66 of 70 first-place votes in the latest AP poll. Their combination of defensive pressure, physical play, and composure in close games makes them a leading contender in the national title conversation.
Why watch Georgia: The Bulldogs have the opportunity to prove they can maintain their position against a demanding schedule.
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame holds the No. 2 spot at 6–0 after a commanding 58–7 win over Stanford. The Fighting Irish have put themselves in a strong position early in the season, but upcoming high-level matchups will offer a clearer measure of their championship potential.
Why watch Notre Dame: An undefeated record and a place near the top of the poll keep the Irish firmly in the national spotlight.
3. Miami Hurricanes
Miami is third at 5–0 and remains undefeated despite not playing during the latest poll’s game weekend. The Hurricanes have stayed among the leading teams while other contenders have experienced major ranking swings.
Why watch Miami: Every upcoming game offers a chance to strengthen its case among the nation’s elite.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is No. 4 with a 5–1 record after beating Maryland 45–16. The Buckeyes continue to feature in the national championship conversation, but their upcoming showdown with undefeated Indiana could have major implications for the Big Ten race.
Why watch Ohio State: The matchup with Indiana is one of the most important games on the upcoming schedule.
5. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana has climbed to No. 5 and remains unbeaten at 6–0. The Hoosiers survived a difficult road game against Nebraska, winning 20–17 after a comeback. Their results have made them one of the season’s most compelling stories.
Why watch Indiana: The Hoosiers now have a major opportunity to show that their rise is more than an early-season surprise.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama ranks sixth at 5–1 after a narrow 20–17 loss to Georgia. Losing to the new No. 1 team is a setback, but the Crimson Tide remain highly ranked and have time to strengthen their playoff case.
Why watch Alabama: How the team responds to its first loss will be important as the SEC schedule continues.
7. Texas Longhorns
Texas fell from No. 1 to No. 7 after losing 27–24 to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns are now 4–1, and their narrow defeat has increased the pressure on the remainder of their schedule.
Why watch Texas: The Longhorns still have the talent to compete, but consistency and avoiding costly mistakes will be crucial.
8. BYU Cougars
BYU remains undefeated at 5–0 and holds No. 8. The Cougars defeated Iowa State 24–10, maintaining their position among the country’s top teams. Their next major test against Notre Dame offers an opportunity to make a stronger national statement.
Why watch BYU: An undefeated record and a high-profile upcoming matchup give the Cougars plenty of momentum.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss is No. 9 at 4–1 after a convincing 52–17 victory over Vanderbilt. The Rebels’ scoring performance reinforced their position inside the top 10, although tougher conference games will test their consistency.
Why watch Ole Miss: Their ability to sustain offensive production against stronger opponents could shape their playoff prospects.
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech rounds out the top 10 with a 5–0 record. The Red Raiders have stayed unbeaten and are positioned to compete for a major role in the Big 12 race. Their challenge is to keep winning as the schedule becomes more demanding.
Why watch Texas Tech: Remaining undefeated could turn the Red Raiders into a serious contender for a high-value playoff position.
Teams Ranked 11–25: Who Could Shake Up the Season?
11. Utah Utes
Utah is 5–0 and ranked No. 11. The Utes have put together a strong start and are within reach of the top 10. Continued wins against conference opponents could strengthen their national standing.
12. UCLA Bruins
UCLA has climbed to No. 12 at 5–0 after a 17–15 win over Oregon. The result ended Oregon’s four-year run in the AP poll and gave the Bruins one of their biggest wins of the season.
13. Missouri Tigers
Missouri holds No. 13 with a 5–1 record. The Tigers remain in the upper half of the rankings, but their remaining schedule will determine whether they can move closer to the top 10.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee is 5–1 and ranked No. 14. The Volunteers remain a team to watch in the SEC, where even a single loss can quickly change the conference and playoff picture.
15. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky has entered the rankings at No. 15 after beating LSU in overtime and adding another important win over South Carolina. The Wildcats’ rise is one of the week’s standout stories.
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State sits at No. 16 with a 4–1 record. The Bulldogs have earned a place in the poll and will aim to prove they can remain competitive as conference play intensifies.
17. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa ranks No. 17 at 5–1 after defeating Washington 41–24. The Hawkeyes’ physical style and ability to control games keep them relevant in the Big Ten race.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is 4–1 and ranked No. 18. The Cowboys remain in contention for a strong Big 12 season and face important opportunities to improve their position.
19. USC Trojans
USC is No. 19 at 6–1. Despite having six wins, the Trojans sit outside the top 15, showing how record alone does not determine ranking. The quality of wins and losses also matters.
20. Houston Cougars
Houston is 5–1 and ranked No. 20 after a 35–16 road win over Kansas State. The victory helped the Cougars move up and gave them a chance to build momentum in the Big 12.
21. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is 5–1 and sits at No. 21 after defeating NC State 38–14. The Demon Deacons have entered the Top 25 and will look to maintain their momentum through the rest of the season.
22. LSU Tigers
LSU has fallen to No. 22 with a 4–2 record after losing to Kentucky in overtime. The Tigers have the potential to rebound, but their margin for error is shrinking as they pursue a stronger finish.
23. Boise State Broncos
Boise State is 5–1 and ranked No. 23. The Broncos remain one of the leading teams outside the sport’s traditional power conferences and will aim to turn their strong record into a meaningful postseason opportunity.
24. SMU Mustangs
SMU holds No. 24 at 4–1. The Mustangs are back in the national conversation and have an opportunity to build their reputation through conference play and key matchups.
25. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern completes the Top 25 at 4–1. Their inclusion highlights how a strong start can earn national recognition, even for programs that are not regular fixtures near the top of the poll.
These positions reflect the October 11 AP poll, not a guarantee of final College Football Playoff selection.
Biggest Storylines in the 2026 College Football Rankings
Georgia takes over No. 1
Georgia’s victory over Alabama and Texas’ loss to Oklahoma created a major shift at the top. The Bulldogs now lead the poll, while the Longhorns have fallen six places.
Indiana is no longer an under-the-radar contender
At 6–0 and No. 5, Indiana has become one of the most interesting teams in college football. Its upcoming matchup with Ohio State will provide an important test of its unbeaten start.
Kentucky and UCLA are major risers
Kentucky’s entry at No. 15 and UCLA’s rise to No. 12 show how quickly the rankings can change. Both teams have strengthened their positions with notable wins.
The SEC remains heavily represented
The SEC has nine teams in this week’s AP Top 25, while the Big Ten has six. That depth creates a difficult path for teams trying to finish with a strong record and earn a favorable playoff position.
How Are College Football Top 25 Rankings Decided?
The AP Top 25 is a weekly poll compiled from votes by sportswriters and broadcasters. Voters assess teams based on factors such as wins and losses, strength of schedule, performance against ranked opponents, and overall results.
The AP poll is widely followed, but it is not the same as the College Football Playoff selection committee’s rankings. The AP Top 25 provides a useful snapshot of national opinion; playoff selection follows its own process and criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is No. 1 in college football in 2026?
Georgia is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll released October 11, 2026. The Bulldogs are 6–0 after defeating Alabama 20–17.
What are the top five college football teams right now?
The latest AP Top 25 lists Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, Ohio State, and Indiana as the top five teams.
Is the AP Top 25 the same as the College Football Playoff rankings?
No. The AP Top 25 is a media poll, while the College Football Playoff selection process uses a separate committee and its own evaluation criteria.
Which teams are undefeated in the latest Top 25?
The undefeated teams in the October 11 AP Top 25 are Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, Indiana, BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and UCLA.
How often do college football rankings change?
The AP Top 25 is updated weekly during the season. Major wins, unexpected losses, and performances against ranked opponents can significantly change a team’s position.
When will the next college football Top 25 be released?
The AP poll is generally released on Sundays during the regular season, following that weekend’s games. Check the official NCAA rankings page for the latest published poll.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 college football season is delivering a compelling mix of established powerhouses and rising challengers. Georgia leads the latest AP Top 25, Notre Dame and Miami remain unbeaten, Indiana is making a strong case for national recognition, and teams such as Kentucky and UCLA are reshaping the rankings.
For fans, the key is to watch more than the numbers beside each team’s name. Records, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and performances in high-pressure games will help determine which teams stay in contention as the College Football Playoff race develops.
Bookmark this guide and check back after the next poll release for updated rankings, records and the biggest movers in college football.
