Each week, the Sports editorial team selects its Top 25 FBS college football teams.
The Post Sports will break down its ballot each week. This week saw little movement near the top, but Florida’s big loss has shaken up the SEC again, pushing them down the rankings. USC also secured a huge win over Washington, proving that this year may be different for Lincoln Riley’s bunch.
Keep reading for my Top 25 after week four, plus my top candidates to represent the Group of Six in this year's CFP.
Top 5
1. Georgia (5-0)
Vanderbilt had no chance against the Bulldogs. The first half was competitive, but the second half was a different story. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has been excellent and put away the Commodores with two of three touchdown passes in the final 30 minutes.
Kirby Smart’s group has looked flawless so far in 2026, but the biggest battle of the season so far awaits in Tuscaloosa. Georgia is headed to take on another undefeated SEC foe, the Alabama Crimson Tide. It may only be week six, but the winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat of the SEC title race moving forward.
2. Texas (4-0)
The Longhorns were on bye in week five. They have been hot, but an extra week of preparation never hurts before a rivalry game. The yearly rendition of the Red River Rivalry commences Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and Texas looks like a clear favorite. Still, Oklahoma has already suffered two losses and desperately needs momentum, so be ready for fireworks in Dallas.
3. Miami (FL) (5-0)
The class of the ACC, Miami. The Hurricanes proved it again Saturday night, dominating perennial contender Clemson in “Death Valley” 41-13. Quarterback Darian Mensah was excellent again, scoring through the air and on the ground. The Miami defense was clinical, especially in the second half, allowing only one score and getting one of their own.
4. Indiana (5-0)
The Hoosiers keep slowly sliding down my rankings. They are yet to fall this season, but the little mistakes they’ve made could be their downfall down the road, and these are mistakes the three teams above them seem to be avoiding early this year. That being said, Indiana still handled business against Rutgers behind quarterback Josh Hoover’s four touchdown passes.
5. Notre Dame (5-0)
The Fighting Irish are certainly in the title, and the main reason for that is Heisman-contending quarterback CJ Carr. Carr threw four touchdowns in Saturday’s win at North Carolina. Notre Dame had a sloppy game defensively, but Marcus Freeman and company did not panic and put away the 37-26 game early in the fourth quarter.
Who I added: 23 Tennessee, 24 Boise State and 25 Minnesota
After a one-week hiatus, the Volunteers are back in the rankings. They benefitted from a tough week for a couple of other programs, but they also would not have moved up unless they handled business against Auburn in a physical contest.
There are two newcomers to my rankings after week five. First, the Golden Gophers, who have been excellent so far in 2026. Minnesota took a tough early-season loss against Mississippi State but have rebounded with big wins, first at Washington and then a come-from-behind victory on Saturday over Michigan. Quarterback Drake Lindsey did not have his best against the Wolverines, but he has been the engine behind the electric start.
The Group of Six is in the rankings. The Broncos have been climbing ever since their slim week one loss at Oregon and don’t appear ready to stop anytime soon. Boise State beat Utah State 37-18 on Saturday night for its fourth straight and will look to stay hot and keep moving up with a win against rival Fresno State.
The rest of the Top 25
6. Ohio State (4-1)
7. Alabama (5-0)
8. Texas Tech (5-0)
9. BYU (4-0)
10. Ole Miss (3-1)
11. Oregon (3-1)
12. Utah (4-0)
13. LSU (4-1)
14. USC (5-1)
15. Pittsburgh (5-0)
16. Florida (4-1)
17. UCLA (4-0)
18. Oklahoma State (3-1)
19. Nebraska (5-0)
20. Kentucky (4-1)
21. Missouri (4-1)
22. SMU (4-1)
23. Tennessee (4-1)
24. Boise State (4-1)
25. Minnesota (4-1)
Who I Dropped: Mississippi State, Iowa, Virginia Tech
Quarterback Kamario Taylor finally looked human against the Alabama defense on Saturday afternoon, and the Crimson Tide took full advantage, routing the Bulldogs 56-23. They will need to regroup because the SEC gauntlet is not done with them yet, and another loss could dash any hope of a CFP bid this year.
Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State punished a stellar Iowa secondary, handing the Hawkeyes their first loss. The Iowa offense flatlined, and the talented Buckeye roster took advantage.
It hurts to say because I’m rooting for him, but it never feels like James Franklin can win the big games. Virginia Tech fell heartbreakingly on a missed field goal to take its first loss to Pitt. Can the Hokies fire back from this loss, or will Franklin and his team fall in the shadows again after a big loss?
Best of the Group of Six: 24 Boise State, 31 James Madison, 33 New Mexico, 34 North Dakota State and 42 Memphis
I already touched on Boise State, but there are plenty of other Group of Six teams looming. James Madison and North Dakota State remain undefeated after five weeks, and their level of competition in their conferences may open the door for them to jump a one-loss Broncos team.
New Mexico and Memphis are incredibly talented, but they will be held back in the polls by the fact they have both suffered a loss already in 2026. The Lobos lost to Oklahoma in a close game, while the Tigers lost to Boise State. These two have high-powered offenses and will rely on them the rest of the way, plus a little luck, to find themselves in the CFP.
