College Football Rankings: My Preseason 138 Hits, Misses And Head-Scratchers

There’s no chance of genuinely understanding that Oregon would lose to 2 groups that completed 3-9 last season (Oklahoma State and UCLA) before the 2nd weekend of October ended. Nobody anticipated the Kentucky Wildcats to be who all of us believed LSU and Lane Kiffin would be, or that Texas A&M would fall back from a College Football Playoff group a year ago to fall towards the bottom of the SEC.

This is why we play the video games, and this is why the sport is so precious. At its finest, unpredictability is college football’s biggest property, and my rankings are constantly a reflection of that property.

Confessing when I was incorrect– even in a service where that’s half the task– isn’t enjoyable. I like winning, and I dislike losing.

Headed into Week 7 action, it’s helpful to look back at my Ultimate 138 rankings — showed below– and see what groups have actually over-performed versus my expectations and which groups have actually underperformed to such a degree that I merely need to record their midseason development here.

In both excellent and bad methods, some groups truly amazed me– and most likely you too. For others, my preseason rankings were area on. Let’s enter it.

My most current leading 25: NR
Newest AP leading 25: NR
Tape-record getting in Week 7: 4-2

The Minutemen managed an upset win versus a Power Four group as a 30-point underdog on the roadway to snap a 16-game losing streak, putting an end to their residency at the outright bottom of the 138-team Football Subdivision.

Prior to their 37-21 success versus Rutgers, UMass had actually not delighted in a winning record for 1,104 days. Halfway through 2026, the Minutemen are 4-2– 2 wins from going bowling– behind the limb of quarterback Williams “Pop” Watson III. Watson has actually represented more than 1,000 lawns of offense with 12 overall goals and simply 2 interceptions.

Next video game: At Buffalo

My most current leading 25: No. 25
Newest AP leading 25: NR
Tape getting in Week 7: 6-0

Something needs to remain in the water in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Need to be. How else can we represent previous Florida coach Billy Napier starting this season 6-0 as head coach at James Madison after being fired midseason in 2015?

Napier is one of 3 previous or existing head coaches at JMU to start the season unbeaten. The others? Indiana coach Curt Cignetti (6-0) and UCLA coach Bob Chesney (5-0) integrate with Napier to make the tally 17-0.

JMU is set to leave the Sun Belt in 2027 and sign up with the American Conference, which indicates among the excellent runs in Sun Belt history will concern an end, in addition to possibly Napier’s run of 18-straight wins versus Sun Belt challengers. Going back to his period as head coach at Louisiana, he’s 26-3 versus Sun Belt competitors.

Next video game: vs. Georgia State

My newest leading 25: No. 8
Newest AP leading 25: No. 15
Tape going into Week 7: 5-1

Not just has Will Stein turned Kentucky into a College Football Playoff group through 6 video games, however the Wildcats likewise have actually led a minimum of as soon as in every video game they’ve played. They lost to Alabama just after blowing a double-digit lead, and they showed themselves to be among the sport’s most clutch groups with back-to-back wins in overtime versus South Carolina and LSU.

With Tennessee and Missouri left as Kentucky’s only staying ranked challengers, these Wildcats might be considering a double-digit win season. Or a minimum of an ending up record that conveniently puts them amongst the sports top-50 groups.

Next video game: At Oklahoma

My most current leading 25: No. 24
Newest AP leading 25: No. 25
Tape-record getting in Week 7: 4-1

With a modification of landscapes for the 3rd time in his profession, a brand-new offending planner and offending developments suitable for the Canadian Football League, quarterback Aidan Chiles has actually changed into a capable field basic. He has actually finished 71.4% of his passing efforts for approximately 234.4 passing backyards per video game and led the Wildcats to a 4-1 start with their only loss visiting a single rating, on the roadway to unbeaten Indiana. Who saw this Northwestern group coming?

Even with a rough roadway ahead at Oregon, versus Iowa and at Ohio State, coach David Braun has his group in a much better position than lots of anticipated midway through the season.

Next video game: At Michigan State

My most current leading 25: NR
Newest AP leading 25: NR
Tape getting in Week 7: 3-2

The addition of previous Utah offensive planner Jason Beck to the Michigan offending personnel was expected to assist star quarterback Bryce Underwood settle into an offense that fits his strengths as a dual-threat with a disastrous hurrying attack. Rather, Underwood looks a lot more lost in the death video game this year than last.

The Wolverines have actually lost 4 of their last 7 video games going back to their 27-9 loss to Ohio State in 2025. They’ve likewise lost 2 video games before the 3rd week in October for 3 years in a row.

Maybe since head coach Kyle Whittingham was so proficient at Utah, I– we– anticipated him to turn the Wolverines into a CFP group once again in Year 1. Rather, Whittingham has actually currently acknowledged this gig, his most distinguished, is likewise the most difficult he’s ever had, and, taking a look at the 2nd half of the schedule– Indiana, Oregon, UCLA and the Buckeyes still to play– it’s about to get an entire harder.

Next video game: vs. Penn State

My most current leading 25: No. 23
Newest AP leading 25: NR
Tape getting in Week 7: 3-2

The Sooners have actually been frustrating offensively, and the assured advancement of quarterback John Mateer ended up being as unbelievable as the preseason top-10 ranking I designated them. He’s fumbled away the ball numerous times, tossed 4 interceptions in 5 video games and handled simply 3 passing goals versus Power Four groups.

While Mateer has actually been bad and the offense has actually worsened because in 2015, the Oklahoma defense has actually dipped into a champion level through the very first half of the year. The Sooners’ win versus formerly No. 1-ranked Texas with simply a single offending rating (and no turnovers) highlighted simply how great Venables’ protective system is this season with security Peyton Bowen dipping into an All-American level.

Next video game: vs. Kentucky

My most current leading 25: No. 3
Most current AP leading 25: No. 3
Tape-record getting in Week 7: 5-0

Aside from Georgia, Miami is the only program in the nation that has actually disappointed any defects.

The Hurricanes play explosive football on offense, and quarterback Darian Mensah has actually finished 84.2% of his passes. He’s tossed 15 goals and simply 21 incompletions. He’s not just precise, however the ‘Canes getting corps likewise has the best hands in the sport, with sophomore Malachi Toney leading that pass receiver space with 39 catches for 604 lawns and 6 goals.

What stays is how great– or bad– the Canes look versus a program with a ranking beside their name on ball game bug.

Next video game: vs. Florida State

My most current leading 25: No. 1
Newest AP leading 25: No. 1
Tape-record going into Week 7: 6-0

Even in an age when the skill space throughout the sport is diminishing, Kirby Smart has actually handled to keep a lineup and a design of play offensively and defensively that feels right out of the BCS period. Georgia runs the ball and plays defense.

Its finest gamer offensively is arguable– as it is most every year the Dawgs have actually bet champions. Quarterback Gunner Stockon gets the nod towards “star” due to the fact that somebody needs to be. He’s played well, finishing 76.6% of his passes with 14 goals and simply 2 interceptions. He’s likewise had the assistance of a dominant hurrying attack and defense that is as tough to move as a gorilla sitting on your chest.

Headed into Week 7, Georgia quiting simply 13.4 points per video game– sufficient for second-best in the nation.

Next video game: vs. Auburn

My newest leading 25: No. 5
Newest AP leading 25: No. 4
Tape-record going into Week 7: 5-1

Jeremiah Smith is unreasonable– specified on very first referral by Merriam and Webster as “ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous.” Anybody who states they anticipated he would be this efficient, this unguardable, in Year 3 wasn’t a lot lying as they were anticipating the coming of an unique gamer’s ascension with frightening uniqueness.

Recognize that we’re just midway through the season, and he’s currently done a complete season’s worth of damage by the majority of groups’ requirements: 48 catches for 916 backyards with 11 goals. It’s not tough to anticipate Smith capturing more than 100 balls for more than 2,000 backyards with more than 20 getting goals this season. As I stated, unreasonable

Ohio State has actually revealed defects, sure. It’s certainly a top-5 group still.

Next video game: At Indiana

My newest leading 25: No. 7
Newest AP leading 25: No. 5
Tape-record getting in Week 7: 6-0

Yes, the Hoosiers have actually remained in some close video games versus unranked challengers. One of those groups– Northwestern– is ranked now and, integrated with last week’s challenger Nebraska, those challengers are 9-2.

Among the factors that the Hoosiers have actually extended their winning streak to 22-straight video games and are bowl-eligible before Halloween for the 3rd year in a row is quarterback Josh Hoover. The male who tossed 33 interceptions in 35 video games at TCU hasn’t tossed any at Indiana. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is 17-0. And Indiana is still unique on the edge defensively. Edge rush Tobi Osunsanmi has actually taped 9.5 deals with for loss, consisting of 5 sacks.

Next video game: vs. Ohio State