AP Top 25 · FBS football
College Football Rankings 2026
See all 25 teams in the college football rankings released October 18, 2026, with records, poll points, first-place votes and changes from the previous AP poll. Select a team to explore its schedule and results.
At a glance
Who leads the college football rankings?
Miami leads the October 18 AP poll, followed by BYU and Ohio State. These are media-voted rankings, separate from the College Football Playoff selection committee’s list.
The complete poll
AP Top 25 College Football Rankings
Showing 25 of 25 ranked teams. Swipe or scroll the table to see every column.
| Rank | Team | Record | Change | Previous | Points | No. 1 votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Miami (FL)ACC | 6-0 | Up 2 places | 3 | 1,697 | 40 |
| 2 |  BYUBig 12 | 6-0 | Up 6 places | 8 | 1,675 | 20 |
| 3 |  Ohio StateBig Ten | 6-1 | Up 1 places | 4 | 1,649 | 9 |
| 4 |  Notre DameIndependent | 6-1 | Down 2 places | 2 | 1,395 | 0 |
| 5 |  GeorgiaSEC | 6-1 | Down 4 places | 1 | 1,382 | 0 |
| 6 |  IndianaBig Ten | 6-1 | Down 1 places | 5 | 1,370 | 0 |
| 7 |  Ole MissSEC | 5-1 | Up 2 places | 9 | 1,360 | 0 |
| 8 |  Texas TechBig 12 | 6-0 | Up 2 places | 10 | 1,336 | 1 |
| 9 |  UCLABig Ten | 6-0 | Up 3 places | 12 | 1,159 | 0 |
| 10 |  UtahBig 12 | 6-0 | Up 1 places | 11 | 1,153 | 0 |
| 11 |  TennesseeSEC | 6-1 | Up 3 places | 14 | 1,151 | 0 |
| 12 |  KentuckySEC | 6-1 | Up 3 places | 15 | 932 | 0 |
| 13 |  AlabamaSEC | 5-2 | Down 7 places | 6 | 870 | 0 |
| 14 |  HoustonBig 12 | 6-1 | Up 6 places | 20 | 785 | 0 |
| 15 |  IowaBig Ten | 5-1 | Up 2 places | 17 | 747 | 0 |
| 16 |  USCBig Ten | 6-1 | Up 3 places | 19 | 592 | 0 |
| 17 |  Wake ForestACC | 6-1 | Up 4 places | 21 | 574 | 0 |
| 18 |  LSUSEC | 5-2 | Up 4 places | 22 | 529 | 0 |
| 19 |  TexasSEC | 4-2 | Down 12 places | 7 | 440 | 0 |
| 20 |  FloridaSEC | 5-2 | New | NR | 355 | 0 |
| 21 |  Boise StatePac-12 | 5-1 | Up 2 places | 23 | 295 | 0 |
| 22 |  MissouriSEC | 5-2 | Down 9 places | 13 | 290 | 0 |
| 23 |  SMUACC | 5-1 | Up 1 places | 24 | 265 | 0 |
| 24 |  NorthwesternBig Ten | 5-1 | Up 1 places | 25 | 254 | 0 |
| 25 |  ArizonaBig 12 | 5-1 | New | NR | 136 | 0 |
Sources: LSU Athletics’ published AP poll and ESPN rankings. “NR” means not ranked in the previous Top 25; “New” marks a team entering this week’s list. These rankings are a dated snapshot.
Outside the Top 25
College football teams receiving votes
These teams earned AP ballot points but did not finish in the Top 25. Receiving votes is not an official ranking of No. 26 or lower.
- Oklahoma State128 points
- Oregon79 points
- Auburn61 points
- James Madison52 points
- Mississippi State30 points
- New Mexico6 points
- Oregon State3 points
This poll’s changes
What changed in the latest college football rankings?
Miami moves from No. 3 to No. 1, while BYU climbs six places to No. 2. Ohio State rises to No. 3. Georgia falls from first to fifth, and Alabama drops seven places to No. 13.
Florida enters at No. 20 and Arizona at No. 25. Oklahoma State and Mississippi State leave the Top 25 but still receive votes. The table shows every team’s previous position so you can compare the complete poll, rather than only the biggest moves.
To understand the next round of matchups, check the college football schedule and the confirmed scores. A win, a loss or a bye does not produce a fixed change in ranking: voters weigh the entire field.
How to read the list
AP, Coaches Poll and CFP rankings explained
AP Top 25
Media voters submit ordered ballots of 25 teams. A first-place ballot gives a team 25 points, second gives 24, and so on down to one point for 25th. Total points determine the published order. First-place votes count how many voters placed a team first; they are not its total points.
Coaches Poll
The Coaches Poll uses a separate voting panel. It can place the same teams in a different order. The table on this page shows the AP poll consistently, so its points and positions should not be mixed with Coaches Poll numbers.
College Football Playoff rankings
The CFP selection committee publishes its own rankings during the season and uses its selection process for the playoff. An AP position is not a playoff seed or a guaranteed berth. This page does not label the AP Top 25 as the committee’s rankings.
Team records matter, but they are not the only consideration. Opponents, quality wins and losses can lead voters to rank a one-loss team above an undefeated team. For conference context, browse the conference pages or all college football teams.
FAQ
College football rankings FAQs
What are college football rankings?
College football rankings order teams using a poll or a selection committee’s evaluation. This page lists the AP Top 25 media poll. The Coaches Poll and College Football Playoff rankings are separate lists and can use a different order.
Are all college football teams ranked?
The AP poll publishes 25 ranked teams. Other teams may receive ballot points without reaching the Top 25; they appear in the receiving-votes list. Unranked teams do not have an official AP position of 26 or below.
What does NR mean in college football rankings?
NR means not ranked in the previous Top 25. A team marked New has entered this week’s list after being outside the previous poll, even if it had already received some votes.
What is the AP poll?
The AP poll is a ranking produced by a panel of media voters, published weekly through the season. It reflects voter opinion rather than a formula, so ballots differ and rankings can move on the strength of a single result.
How do the AP poll and NCAA rankings differ?
NCAA.com currently publishes the AP Top 25, which is the same media poll displayed on our AP page. The separate College Football Playoff committee rankings are released later in the season.
How often do rankings update?
Rankings follow a weekly cycle during the season, typically published after each Saturday slate is complete, with a preseason edition before any games are played.
Why can a team with a better record be ranked lower?
Strength of schedule is a large part of the judgement. A team with one loss against difficult opponents is frequently ranked above an unbeaten team that has played a weaker slate.
Do rankings decide the postseason?
The AP Top 25 does not determine playoff seeds or guarantee a playoff berth. The College Football Playoff selection committee uses its own rankings and selection process; bowl placements also depend on the relevant selection rules and conference agreements.