Each week, the Sports editorial team selects its Top 25 FBS college football teams.
The Post Sports will break down its ballot each week. Here is a breakdown of the top five, the teams added and dropped this week, plus the best teams looking to represent the Group of Six in this year's playoff.
Top 5
1. Oregon (1-0)
The Ducks struggled with one of the best teams from the Group of Six in Week one against the Boise State Broncos, but that one in the win column is all that matters in Eugene, which helps maintain number one this week.
Top Heisman contender Dante Moore came to play and led the second-half comeback with 378 passing yards and three scores through the air. Moore will continue to be the Catalyst for the Ducks all year as they try and capture that elusive first national title.
2. Georgia (1-0)
60-point blowouts are not too common in college football, but week one tends to be full of them. The Bulldogs got on board this year, beating Tennessee State 63-3. Kirby Smart’s team looks poised to try and end the streak of Big 10 title winners, and it will start in the backfield. Quarterback Gunner Stockton and halfback Nate Frazier tallied six combined touchdowns Saturday. If those veterans keep that play up, watch out for the Bulldogs come January.
3. Indiana (1-0)
A little blood seemed to only fire up new Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover in his debut for the Hoosiers, leading them to a win with 231 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in the 52-16 win.
Curt Cignetti fired up his group for the home opener as Indiana delivered on both sides of the ball, with his defense appearing dominant with an interception and sack. Wide receiver Charlie Becker returned to Bloomington for his junior season and scored two touchdowns against North Texas. Keep an eye out for Becker to be an under-the-radar candidate for both the Heisman trophy and Biletnikoff award this year.
4. Ohio State (1-0)
AP’s number one team still sits at number four after week one. There is no questioning the superstar talent the Buckeyes possess as shown in Saturday afternoon’s 56-3 win against Ball State. Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith finds his name in the mix of the Heisman conversation after two scores. The question is if he and quarter back Julian Sayin can continue their stellar play once the opponent level improves in Austin, Texas this weekend.
5. Miami (FL) (1-0)
Malachi Toney scored three times in the Hurricanes opening game against Stanford. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah controlled the offense throughout the evening with 401 yards through the air and five passing touchdowns. Miami’s defense only accumulated one stack, but succeeded in holding the Cardinal to only six points.
Additions: 22 Virginia, 23 UCLA, 24 Pittsburgh
Three big wins propelled the Cavaliers, Bruins and Panthers into the top 25 this week. Virginia dominated ACC conference rival NC State 34-8. The defense was the star of the show, picking off CJ Bailey once and sacking him twice. Missouri transfer quarterback Beau Pribula took over in the second half with two long passing scores and ran for a total of 110 yards during the night.
UCLA may be a sleeper Big 10 title contender in 2026. Former James Madison players and coaches have flooded the staff, and the expectations were high after how the Dukes finished last season. The Bruins went to Berkley and beat California 45-24, powered by a 21-point fourth quarter to pull away.
Pittsburgh dominated Miami (OH) in Week one, led by quarterback Mason Heintschel who threw for 453 yards and seven touchdowns in the 59-14 win to cement the Panthers as an ACC title hopeful this year.
The Rest of the Top 25
6. Notre Dame (1-0)
7. Oklahoma (1-0)
8. Texas (1-0)
9. LSU (1-0)
10. Alabama (1-0)
11. Texas Tech (1-0)
12. BYU (1-0)
13. USC (2-0)
14. Ole Miss (1-0)
15. Texas A&M (1-0)
16. Penn State (1-0)
17. SMU (1-0)
18. Missouri (1-0)
19. Utah (1-0)
20. Florida (1-0)
21. Tennessee (1-0)
22. Virginia (1-0)
23. UCLA (1-0)
24. Pittsburgh (1-0)
25. Houston (1-0)
Dropped: Michigan, Washington and Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech was the easy subtraction this week as it dropped its opener against Colorado in the final seconds. Alberto Mendoza had a mediocre showing for the Yellow Jackets and will need to step up if they want to get back in the mix this year.
Washington had a lackluster showing against rival Washington State. Quarterback Demond Williams must improve and keep the offense from turning it over as the season progresses into Big Ten play.
The Mid-American Conference has officially appealed Michigan’s Week one win in favor of Western Michigan. The Wolverines had a horrible first showing in Kyle Whittingham’s debut until the clock changed the narrative, however; that did not warrant staying in the top 25 this week.
Best of the Group of Six: 34 New Mexico, 39 Boise State, 43 South Florida, 44 San Diego State and 45 Memphis
The same five teams represent the best from the Group of Six this week, with all moving up a some spots with wins against FCS or small FBS programs, with the exception being Boise State. The Broncos dropped their opener against Oregon, but what can’t be overlooked is that both teams were tied with just over six minutes to play. Quarterback Maddux Madsen threw touchdowns throughout the game in the 34-27 loss.
