1. Washington (6-0)
There is no reason that the Washington Huskies shouldn’t be the number one team in the nation. They beat the second best team in the PAC-12 and have massive wins over Michigan State, Boise State, and California. Michael Penix is balling and the Huskies are rolling. They might be my team of destiny this year the same way TCU was last year.
2. Florida State (6-0)
While they’ve been quiet the past few weeks, Florida State is still great. They steamrolled a solid Syracuse team and have proven they can close out close games beating Boston College and Clemson late. Jordan Travis should still be in the Heisman conversation.
3. Michigan (7-0)
As a Notre Dame fan, I don’t like giving Michigan props, but they haven’t had a close game yet. Granted their schedule has been remarkably weak, but their average margin of victory is 33 points. That’s insane. They are teeing up easy teams and bullying them. My only concern is that they won’t be battle-tested enough for when it comes time to play Ohio State or Penn State.
4. Ohio State (6-0)
Even though Ohio State has better wins thus far, Michigan has more convincing wins. Don’t get me wrong, I value the Buckeyes beating Notre Dame in South Bend over Michigan beating East Carolina at home, but I can’t argue their win margin. I wasn’t entirely confident in Kyle McCord coming into the season, but he’s playing good football.
5. Georgia (7-0)
Up to this point of the season, Georgia hasn’t done anything to warrant a top four ranking. Okay great, they beat UAB and Ball State. Congratulations. They only have one convincing win this year vs Kentucky, but have been challenged by Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Auburn who are SEC bottom-feeders. I haven’t been impressed by Georgia at all this season — especially when the lifeblood of their team, Brock Bowers, is out the rest of the year.
6. Penn State (6-0)
The BIG 10 is probably the most top-heavy conference this season and it’s reflecting in my rankings. I have four BIG 10 teams in my top 25, with three of them in the top six. Penn State has been the conference’s little brother the past few years getting picked on by Ohio State and Michigan, but with Drew Allar at the helm, this team could change the way that the Nittany Lions are looked at going forward.
7. Oklahoma (6-0)
While I wholeheartedly think Texas still is a better team than Oklahoma, the Sooners did beat them. They’ve looked impressive this season dominating in Big 12 play and have a fairly easy back half of their schedule. Dillon Gabriel is excelling and playing at a super high level and could propel the Sooners to a Big 12 title and a playoff berth.
8. Texas (5-1)
Even with the one loss on their record, I still believe that Texas is one of the nations best teams. They beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and destroyed a solid Kansas team. Quinn Ewers is absolutely balling and Jonathon Brooks is picking up where Bijan Robinson left off. I’m excited for the inevitable Big 12 championship game between Texas and Oklahoma.
9. Oregon (5-1)
While Oregon did lose in gut-wrenching fashion to Washington this weekend, they proved that they are a team you don’t want to play. Objectively speaking, no one on Oregon played bad — Washington just played better. Bo Nix is a baller and even though I don’t agree with some of Dan Lanning’s decisions, he’s a good coach.
10. Oregon State (5-1)
It’s amazing to see how DJU has settled in at Oregon State and unlocked his true potential. Their one loss is to a strong Washington State team, but they’ve also picked up huge wins against UCLA, Utah, California, and San Diego State. If I’m Washington or Oregon, I’d be terrified to play the Beavers at the end of the season because this team is a buzzsaw chainsaw
11. North Carolina (6-0)
I’m not sure why, but I don’t believe in North Carolina. I know their wins vs Syracuse and Miami are convincing, but something about this Tar Heels DNA doesn’t make me believe they can win the ACC. Maybe it’s because they broke down in horrific fashion last year, but I think them falling apart is due. They end the season vs Duke, Clemson, and North Carolina State.
12. Air Force (6-0)
The people making the top 25 are cowards for not ranking Air Force in the top 20. They’re 6-0 with wins over Wyoming, San Diego State, and San Jose State while also leading the nation in rushing by over 500 yards. If they finish the year 12-0 with wins against UNLV, Army, and Colorado State, there’s an argument to be made that they are a top 10 team in the whole country.
13. Alabama (6-1)
It’s hilarious to see this Alabama team be as average as they’ve been this year. While their record says 6-1, they have not looked sharp whatsoever this year, except for when they played Ole Miss. Getting taken deep by USF and Arkansas isn’t a great look for Saban’s squad. I will say, it is strange that Alabama doesn’t have a good quarterback. In years past we saw Young, Jones, and Tua. This year, Milroe isn’t getting the job done.
14. Notre Dame (5-2)
Yes, I am biased. But, Notre Dame deserves this slot. They just curb stomped one of the best offenses in the nation which was led by Heisman winner Caleb Williams. Sam Hartman might not be lighting the world on fire, but Audric Estime and Notre Dame’s deep running back room is. They have a few more huge games ahead of them vs Clemson and Stanford and if they can win out, then they will be a top 10 team.
15. USC (6-1)
While I did just assault USC, they are still a good team. I mean, it’s not the players fault that Alex Grinch is an inept moron. This is a very talented roster and even though Williams threw three interceptions vs the Irish, he’s still in the Heisman race. USC can still win the PAC 12, it’ll just be a little more difficult now following their loss to Notre Dame.
16. Ole Miss (5-1)
When Ole Miss is playing at their best, they are the scariest team in the SEC. When that Ole Miss plays, they beat LSU and Tulane. But, then you get the Alabama game where they played flat and looked very beatable. If the Ole Miss team that beat Tulane and LSU comes out for the rest of the season, Ole Miss is going to go 11-1. I just don’t know if that’s sustainable.
17. James Madison (6-0)
COWARDS AND FOOLS. COWARDS AND FOOLS. That’s what the NCAA is. They are cowards and fools for not letting the Dukes go dancing this year. They look like a true FBS powerhouse with wins over Troy, Virginia, Georgia Southern, and South Alabama. The Dukes are a wood chipper that absolutely no team wants to play this year.
18. Duke (5-1)
One of the toughest teams this year, and best surprises, are the Duke Blue Devils. Led by Riley Leonard, they’ve been a tough matchup for Notre Dame, Clemson, and North Carolina State. Their schedule is about to ramp up with Florida State, Louisville, and North Carolina. If Duke can get through this part of the schedule undefeated, then they’ll win the ACC.
19. Louisville (6-1)
Had Louisville not been absolutely lambasted by Pitt this weekend, they’d be a top six team. No doubt in my mind. But that loss is worse than anything that could’ve happened to them. Partially because losing hurts any team, but mainly because Pitt is not a good football team and Louisville lost to them by 17.
20. Missouri (6-1)
I think that Georgia is a very vulnerable squad, and the team with the best chance to beat them in the regular season this year is Missouri. Eli Drinkwitz and Brady Cook have Mizzou at 6-1 after going 6-7 last season. It’s a new era in Missouri and I’m all for it.
21. Iowa (6-1)
It’s shocking to me that Iowa is 6-1. They’re most likely going to win the BIG 10 West and get smoked in the BIG 10 championship. Their offense stinks, they play good defense, and it seems like their coaching staff is riddled with nepotism that’s holding them back. But then again, they are 6-1 with wins against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Iowa State.
22. Liberty (7-0)
You’re a fool if you don’t have Liberty in your top 25. Jamey Chadwell left Coastal Carolina for Liberty and initially, I thought this was a foolish move. Why would someone leave a program like Coastal where he’s had so much success? I guess Chadwell had the vision of making Liberty a powerhouse and is doing it right now.
23. Tennessee (5-1)
Has Tennessee necessarily looked great this season? No. But they have picked up big wins against Texas A&M and South Carolina. The Vols also have the opportunity to beat both Alabama and Georgia in the span of a month. Joe Milton is raw and if he can pick up his play in the next few weeks, the Volunteers could make some noise down the stretch.
24. Tulane (5-1)
Besides their one loss to Ole Miss, Tulane has looked awesome. The issue that stands with the Green Wave is that they don’t have a strong schedule. They could go 11-1, but with the lack of big name opponents and foes who have abysmal records, I can’t justify having them in the top 15 by the season’s end.
25. Toledo (6-1)
The MAC is a loaded conference and atop of it right now is Toledo. They have a huge matchup vs Miami Ohio this weekend and could decide who the conference champion will be. Dequan Finn is playing clean football and on defense, Judge Culpepper has been dominating in the middle. They’re a well rounded squad that is taking the MAC by storm.