2026 College Football Rankings Top 25 Week 11: Expert picks, analysis, AP projections including Notre Dame

Week 10 absolutely lived up to the hype! We had upsets all over the place and top 10 matchups that shook up the rankings and college football playoff scene. No. 1 Miami lost down in South Bend, Utah edged BYU, Texas and Alabama survived SEC heavyweight fights, plus teams like: UCLA, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, and more came up with huge wins. Let's take a deep dive into my top 25 this week as we have three newcomers and a new No. 1!

1. Georgia Bulldogs (+1)
2026 Record: 8-1 (6-1)
Last Game: 42-7 win at #10 Ole Miss
Next Game: Vs Missouri — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

Georgia absolutely obliterated Ole Miss in Oxford and reclaimed the top spot in my rankings after Miami lost. The Bulldogs have looked close to perfect over the past two games, outscoring Florida and Ole Miss, 69-15. Georgia outgained Ole Miss 481-252 in yards, and Gunner Stockton ran for a score, plus completed nine passes with four of them going for touchdowns. The Bulldogs ran for 6.1 yards per carry and grabbed five sacks, one fumble, and one interception, plus held the Rebels to 2.1 ypc. Georgia looks like a bulldozer and is back at home versus #18 Missouri this week.

2. Utah Utes (+1)
2026 Record: 9-0 (6-0)
Last Game: 28-20 win vs #9 BYU
Next Game: At Arizona — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Utah snapped its three-game losing streak to BYU and remained undefeated. Utah’s defense grabbed four interceptions, and Devon Dampier dominated with four touchdowns (two pass, two rush). Utah trailed at halftime for the second time all season and roared back in the second with 14 unanswered points. Utah’s defense shut out BYU in the second half and took control of the Big 12. With a road game at #22 Arizona next, Utah needs to remain focused and not let the big win lead to a letdown performance on the road.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+2)
2026 Record: 8-1
Last Game: 31-24 win vs #1 Miami
Next Game: Vs Boston College — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

The Irish built a massive 21-point lead to hang on against #1 Miami. Despite missing four starters on defense, Notre Dame made plenty of stops, including the fourth-and-six everyone was debating. Notre Dame solidified its playoff chances with the win and could earn a top-four seed depending on how things shake out in the Power Four conferences. CJ Carr won his first big game and is now the Heisman favorite (+140) with 2,168 passing yards, 24 total touchdowns to one interception, but he couldn’t have had the big night if it wasn’t for Micah Gilbert (9 rec, 98 yards, 2TDs) and Jordan Faison (6 rec, 77 yards, 1 TD).

4. Miami Hurricanes (-3)
2026 Record: 8-1 (6-0)
Last Game: 31-24 loss at #11 Notre Dame
Next Game: Vs Duke — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET

Miami had a chance to tie the game late, but fell to Notre Dame 34-27 in a second-half thriller. The Hurricanes couldn’t move the ball whatsoever in the first half and trailed 17-3 at the half and 24-3 in the third quarter. Without Malachi Toney, the offense sputtered, but Darian Mensah took control in the third quarter and kept his Heisman hopes alive. Mensah threw three touchdowns, one interception, and 296 yards, but was outdueled by the new Heisman favorite, CJ Carr, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. The loss doesn’t impact Miami in the ACC Championship race, but it could come into play for the Hurricanes’ playoff route when selections are final.

5. Texas Longhorns (+2)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 34-20 win at #18 Missouri
Next Game: At LSU — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Arch Manning threw for the most yards since Week 1 against Texas State (297), and the Longhorns are riding a three-game winning streak thanks to a 21-0 second-half run against Missouri. Manning tossed 297 yards on 28-of-38 and three touchdowns for what might have been his best game of the season. Texas goes to LSU next, and that can effectively end any hopes LSU has of the playoffs or SEC title game. Arkansas and Texas A&M await Texas following LSU.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide (+8)
2026 Record: 7-2 (5-2)
Last Game: 31-13 win at #14 LSU
Next Game: At Vanderbilt — Saturday at 12:45 PM ET

Alabama walked into Death Valley and caged the Tigers. Keelon Russell threw three touchdowns for the second straight game, and they all went to different receivers. On a day when Alabama ran for 2.7 yards per carry, Russell carried the offense. Alabama only managed 13 first downs and 285 yards, but converted on all three red zone trips and scored 10 points off turnovers on downs and a missed field goal. Alabama couldn’t ask for a better schedule to end the regular season. The Tide got to Vanderbilt, then host Chattanooga and Auburn. Alabama controls its own destiny thanks to the win over Kentucky early in the season.

7. Indiana Hoosiers (-1)
2026 Record: 8-1 (5-1)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: Vs USC — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

The Hoosiers are coming off a bye week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Hoosiers won back-to-back games in OT over Michigan (13-6) and Minnesota (23-16) after losing that nail-biter to Ohio State (19-15). The biggest question about Indiana is whether it will be Josh Hoover or Grant Wilson at quarterback moving forward. Hoover didn’t finish versus Minnesota, and the offense has had its struggles since conference play began. Indiana hosts USC this weekend, and it’s a must-win or visions of the Big Ten Championship Game become a little hazy.

8. UCLA Bruins (+4)
2026 Record: 9-0 (6-0)
Last Game: 34-20 win at Minnesota
Next Game: Vs Illinois — Friday at 9:00 PM ET

UCLA stayed perfect and did it in impressive fashion. The Bruins answered back to everything Minnesota threw at them, including two 75-yard touchdown passes on the first play of separate fourth-quarter drives. Ty Dieffenbach completed eight passes, but they were all impactful. He threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, all three scores from outside the red zone. The Bruins are 9-0 for the first time since 1998. UCLA hosts Illinois this weekend, goes to Michigan before heading to #20 USC to end the season. UCLA could absolutely finish undefeated in the regular season, and they are the second favorites at +300 odds to win the Big Ten Championship behind Indiana (-110).

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (+4)
2026 Record: 8-1 (5-1)
Last Game: 53-48 win vs West Virginia
Next Game: At Oklahoma State — Saturday at 9:30 PM ET

My oh my! Texas Tech’s offensive issues have been solved. Thomas Castellanos led the Red Raiders in a 53-48 classic. He ran for 102 yards, threw a career-high five touchdowns and 362 yards, including the game-winning score with 2:44 remaining. The entire game had classic Big 12 shootout vibes, and speaking of vibes, they are in Lubbock right now. However, that feeling may not last long. Texas Tech goes to Oklahoma State this week to face another dynamic quarterback in Drew Mestemaker. Texas Tech is a 3.5-point road underdog!

10. BYU Cougars (-6)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 28-20 loss at #3 Utah
Next Game: Vs Baylor — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

BYU gave Utah their second halftime deficit of the season, but it didn’t last long. Utah shut out BYU in the second half to win 28-20. LJ Martin made his return, but outside of a four-yard touchdown run, he didn’t make much of an impact (8 touches, 26 yards). Bear Bachmeier threw a career-high four interceptions, and what’s even crazier is he had four picks in his first eight games. Two of his four picks came in the end zone, so BYU had its chances to win despite the mistakes. BYU ends the regular season with Baylor, Kansas, and Cincinnati. BYU's win over Notre Dame may have saved the Cougars' season, but BYU certainly cannot afford a third loss.

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11. Ole Miss Rebels (-3)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-3)
Last Game: 42-7 loss vs #2 Georgia
Next Game: At Oklahoma— Saturday at 4:15 PM ET

Ole Miss might as well have not shown up on Saturday. The Rebels’ 16-game home winning streak ended embarrassingly, 42-7 to #2 Georgia. Ole Miss was outgained in yards, 481-252, and Trinidad Chambliss had a season-low 170 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and his ninth interception of the year (three last season). Kewan Lacy was out, and Ole Miss averaged 2.1 yards per carry against Georgia, so there are a lot of red flags. Even if Ole Miss wins out versus Oklahoma, Wofford, and Mississippi State, they may not have the resume to make the playoffs. Ole Miss has three ranked wins over #24 Louisville, #7 LSU, and #13 Missouri, but losses to #2 Georgia and #19 Texas. The Rebels are lucky Louisville was ranked when they played them. Six of their potential nine wins will have come against teams with losing records as of now, plus LSU and Missouri could finish anywhere between 6-6 and 9-3. The worse LSU and Missouri do, the lower Ole Miss’ odds are of making the playoffs.

12. South Carolina Gamecocks (+3)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-3)
Last Game: 17-9 win vs Texas A&M
Next Game: At Arkansas — Saturday at 7:45 PM ET

South Carolina has rattled off four straight wins over #16 Florida (38-19), #11 Tennessee (27-24), Oklahoma (42-25), and Texas A&M (17-9). With Arkansas on deck, it’s almost certain the Gamecocks get a fifth. However, LaNorris Sellers injured his ankle in the win over the Aggies and exited in the first half before coming back in and eventually scoring the go-ahead touchdown. When he is healthy, South Carolina is a top 15 team.

13. Tennessee Vols (+7)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 34-6 win vs #6 Kentucky
Next Game: At Texas A&M — Saturday at 3:00 PM ET

Tennessee fans will tell you, where’s the Heisman love for DeSean Bishop? He turned in his fifth-straight game with 100-plus rushing yards and one or more touchdowns. Bishop has run for 746 yards and nine touchdowns on 132 carries! It wasn’t just him being a steady eddy; the defense was consistent too. Tennessee’s defense had three takeaways, three punts, and two turnovers on downs.

14. Kentucky Wildcats (-4)
2026 Record: 7-2 (5-2)
Last Game: 34-6 loss at #13 Tennessee
Next Game: Vs Florida — Saturday at 6:15 PM ET

Kentucky’s six-game winning streak is over. The Wildcats were molly-whopped at Tennessee on the ground. Tennessee ran for 240 yards and three touchdowns, while Kentucky averaged 3.7 yards a pop and didn’t score a single touchdown. The Wildcats turned the ball over three times after not turning it over once in four games! Kentucky plays Florida, Missouri, and Louisville to end the season for a chance at 10-2. You’d have to go back to 1977 for the last time Kentucky won 10 games in the regular season!

15. LSU Tigers (-4)
2026 Record: 6-3 (3-3)
Last Game: 31-13 loss vs #5 Alabama
Next Game: Vs Texas — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards, and LSU outgained Alabama 457 to 285 in total yards, but lost 31-13. LSU missed a field goal, had four turnovers on downs, threw an interception, and lost a fumble. That dominant home defense also allowed a season-high 31 points and allowed Keelon Russell to throw three touchdowns. With three losses and Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas remaining, LSU could end up with a 7-5 or 8-4 record, which is all they’ve known post-life with Joe Burrow. LSU is a 3.5-point favorite versus #7 Texas this weekend.

16. Oregon Ducks (NR)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-2)
Last Game: 41-28 win at #12 Ohio State
Next Game: Vs Michigan — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

With back-to-back wins over #20 Northwestern (34-26) and #12 Ohio State (41-28), Oregon’s season is alive! Back from the dead right around Halloween, too. The Ducks host Michigan, go to Michigan State, then welcome Washington to town to end the regular season. If Dylan Raiola is dealing as he has in the past two games (5 TDs, 593 yards), Oregon should win all three. With losses to UCLA and Illinois, Oregon has to root for Indiana and Illinois to lose. The Ducks are in a six-way tie for third place, but own the tiebreaker over USC, which could come in handy.

17. USC Trojans (-1)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: At Indiana — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

USC is coming off a bye week to follow up the biggest win since LSU in 2024 or the 2022 win against Notre Dame. The Trojans beat #2 Ohio State (30-18) and started a ripple effect for the Buckeyes. Regardless, if USC beats #4 Indiana on the road this weekend, then the Trojans all of a sudden are live to make the Big Ten Championship. Lincoln Riley has not faced Curt Cignetti since he took over Indiana, and, in fact, USC versus Indiana hasn’t been a Big Ten matchup yet. This will be the first meeting since USC joined the Big Ten. Anything can happen.

18. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (-1)
2026 Record: 8-1 (5-1)
Last Game: 77-0 win vs Merrimack
Next Game: At SMU — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET

Wake Forest played Merrimack and crushed them as expected. Gio Lopez missed the contest, and whether that was precautionary for an ACC title run, or because he is actually injured, will be detailed this week. Wake Forest goes to SMU and Georgia Tech the next two weeks, then hosts Duke to end the regular season. As of now, Wake Forest versus Miami would be the ACC Championship Game, so the Demon Deacons control their own destiny.

19. Boise State Broncos (-1)
2026 Record: 8-1 (5-0)
Last Game: 64-38 win at Colorado State
Next Game: Vs Oregon State — Saturday at 6:00 PM ET

After almost losing to Texas State last week (46-45), Boise State routed what might be the worst defense in the whole country. The Broncos plastered Colorado State for 64 points and 669 yards of offense. Boise State has back-to-back home games against Oregon State and San Diego State to end the regular season. As of right now, Boise State needs to win at least one of those two games (OSU, SDSU) and win the Pac-12 Championship to make the playoffs.

20. Houston Cougars (-1)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 31-24 win vs Cincinnati
Next Game: At Colorado — Saturday at 10:15 PM ET

Houston’s only two losses are at #13 Texas Tech (28-26) and at Utah (21-13), and the only ranked win comes over #18 Oklahoma State, who’s no longer ranked. The Cougars go to Colorado and West Virginia over the next two weeks before wrapping up the regular season at home against Baylor. Houston hasn’t won 10 games in a regular season since 2021 and could accomplish that this year. They came close to losing against Cincinnati after the Bearcats tied things up with 6:21 remaining. The Cougars scored on a 51-yard run a little over a minute later to get back in the win column after losing to Utah.

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21. Arizona Wildcats (NR)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 29-28 win vs TCU
Next Game: Vs Utah — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Arizona won a Friday Night thriller over TCU, 29-28. The Wildcats were down nine, scored a touchdown, got an interception, and kicked a game-winning field goal all in six minutes. Arizona’s only losses on the season have come on the road at BYU and Texas Tech. Arizona will host #3 Utah this weekend to try and avoid going 0-for-3 against the Big 12’s big three.

22. Iowa Hawkeyes (+1)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 24-10 win at Northwestern
Next Game: Vs Purdue — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Northwestern was without QB Aidan Chiles, and Iowa wasted no time building a lead. Iowa jumped out to a 14-0 early second-quarter lead and was up 24-3 entering the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes returned a kick 96 yards for a touchdown as the highlight of the game, and the defense had a strong day holding the Wildcats to 1-of-11 on third downs. With Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska to end the regular season, Iowa looks poised for their first double-digit win season since 2023.

23. Louisville Cardinals (+2)
2026 Record: 6-3 (5-2)
Last Game: 44-17 win at North Carolina
Next Game: At North Carolina — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET

Louisville has won four straight games against Florida State (44-20), Syracuse (33-26), Stanford (52-24), and Georgia Tech (44-17). Unfortunately, none of those teams have winning records, so I can’t put the Cardinals too high. Louisville goes to North Carolina, hosts Pitt, then heads to Kentucky over the final three games. All three of those are going to be tough to escape with a win.

24. Oklahoma State (NR)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-2)
Last Game: 66-28 win at Kansas State
Next Game: Vs Texas Tech — Saturday at 9:30 PM ET

Oklahoma State scored 49 points in the first half on Kansas State and had one of the most dominant offensive efforts of any team this season. The Cowboys scored a touchdown on their first four drives as they put up over 200 yards of offense in the first quarter alone. Drew Mestemaker continued his Heisman run with six total touchdowns, including throwing for four, running for another, and catching one! He is the first to do that in the FBS since 2021.

25. Ohio State Buckeyes (-16)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-2)
Last Game: 41-28 loss vs #23 Oregon
Next Game: Vs Northwestern — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET

Jeremiah Smith was seeing snapping on the sidelines entering the fourth quarter, down 38-14. Ohio State lost at USC (30-18) last week and at home against #23 Oregon (41-28) on Saturday. Just like that, the Buckeyes’ season is over. The chances of making the playoffs are not only slim, but even making the Big Ten Championship game seems unlikely. Ryan Day may have lost the locker room.

Out of the Top 25

21. Missouri Tigers
2026 Record: 6-3 (3-3)
Last Game: 34-20 loss vs #7 Texas
Next Game: At Georgia — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

Missouri was up 20-13 and allowed three unanswered touchdowns to Texas in a 34-20 loss. The Tigers are now 1-3 versus ranked opponents, and their best win came at home against #17 Florida, who is now 5-4.

22. Florida Gators
2026 Record: 5-4 (3-4)
Last Game: 23-7 loss vs Oklahoma
Next Game: At Kentucky — Saturday at 6:15 PM ET

Florida has lost four of its last five games, and the quarterback problems continue. The Gators have scored 15 points total over the past two games and are in jeopardy of finishing with a losing record if they fall to .500 by losing at Kentucky this upcoming weekend.

24. Michigan Wolverines
2026 Record: 5-4 (2-4)
Last Game: 15-6 loss vs Michigan State
Next Game: At Oregon — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

Michigan lost to Michigan State, breaking a six-game winning streak in the series. The Wolverines managed 192 yards of offense and converted two of their 10 third-down attempts. Tommy Carr threw two picks, and the Wolverines fumbled twice, losing the turnover battle 4-0.

New to the top 25

24. Oklahoma State (NR)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-2)
Last Game: 66-28 win at Kansas State
Next Game: Vs Texas Tech — Saturday at 9:30 PM ET

Oklahoma State poured in 66 points on Kansas State, and Drew Mestemaker continued his Heisman candidacy. Oklahoma State scored four touchdowns in the first quarter alone, and Mestemaker tossed two.

21. Arizona Wildcats (NR)
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Last Game: 29-28 win vs TCU
Next Game: Vs Utah — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET

Arizona survived a 28-20 fourth-quarter deficit to TCU in a fun Friday night comeback. The Wildcats got a huge interception following a touchdown that put them down by two and executed the pick with a game-winning field goal. Arizona’s only two losses come against BYU and Texas Tech, both on the road.

16. Oregon Ducks (NR)
2026 Record: 6-3 (4-2)
Last Game: 41-28 win at #12 Ohio State
Next Game: Vs Michigan — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

The Ducks have now beaten #20 Northwestern and #12 Ohio State back-to-back weeks. Oregon had one ranked win all season prior (#12 USC).

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