College Football Power Rankings: Florida Rises After Win Over Ole Miss

The 2026 college football season continues to move along, with no shortage of drama involving some of the nation’s top programs

In Week 4, the Texas Longhorns outlasted the Tennessee Volunteers in a defensive battle between two top 20 programs. Elsewhere, Ole Miss suffered its first loss of the season, falling to the Florida Gators in an SEC showdown. 

How do the results affect the college football landscape as conference play marches on in Week 5?

Below, we’ll break down our top 25 college football power rankings, along with AP Poll results, season-long projections, and potential win total payouts from PrizePicks Team Picks.

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College Football Top 25 Power Rankings

Let's kick off these power rankings with several high-profile teams boasting serious College Football Playoff expectations for the remainder of the season.

1: Texas Longhorns

AP Ranking: #1

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2.12x I No 1.66x)

Texas has gotten off to a 4-0 start this season, beating #5 Ohio State and #17 Tennessee in the opening month. However, following the comeback win against the Buckeyes, the Longhorns’ offense has been suspect.

QB Arch Manning was inconsistent for the second consecutive week, completing 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards while being intercepted once and sacked 6 times. 

The Texas defense remained an elite unit, allowing just 221 yards of offense against Tennessee. The Longhorns are allowing just 13.3 points per game (tied for first in the SEC), so that’s been something to hang their hats on. However, something needs to change offensively with #8 Florida and #9 Ole Miss on the schedule later this month.

2: Georgia Bulldogs

AP Ranking: #2

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.58x I No 2.12x)

Georgia has come out strong in SEC play with wins against Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Bulldogs dominated the Sooners 41-13 behind QB Gunner Stockton, who finally threw his first INT of the season. Still, Stockton has been nearly flawless this season, completing 74.3% of his passes to go along with 10 TDs and 7.7 yards per carry in the ground game. 

However, the real story has been Georgia’s defensive dominance, as it has allowed only 65 rushing yards (1.9 yards per carry). The Bulldogs are tied for first in the SEC in scoring defense (13.3 PPG) and are surrendering only 232.9 yards per game (second in the SEC).

Due to Oklahoma’s offensive deficiencies, Georgia still hasn't been tested in 2026, but an October 10 showdown at #7 Alabama will show whether Georgia is for real. 

3: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

AP Ranking: #3

Projected Win Total: 12+ (Yes 2.17x I No 1.58x)

Entering Week 4 against Purdue, the Boilermakers were the Big Ten's most prolific passing offense. However, the Notre Dame defense absolutely suffocated Purdue QB Ryan Browne, who was held to just 111 passing yards, and the Boilermakers’ lone TD came when Browne was already out of the game. The Fighting Irish came away with a convincing 49-10 win, their fourth double-digit victory of the campaign.

QB C.J. Carr continued an impressive start to the season, throwing for 237 yards and 3 TDs against Purdue. The defense has been ferocious, tallying 13 sacks (fifth nationally), including recording 6 sacks last week.

‍According to Game On Paper, the Fighting Irish have also produced a 20.5% havoc rate, ranking seventh in the country. Notre Dame averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 177 rushing yards was a major positive vs. Purdue, suggesting the running game could be headed in the right direction. 

4: Miami Hurricanes

AP Ranking: #4

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.42x I No 2.7x)

There’s still a lot of the season left to determine whether Miami can live up to last season’s magical College Football Playoff run. However, the early returns have been nothing short of sensational, with QB Darian Mensah and WR Malachi Toney leading the offense.

Most recently, Miami came away with a 52-3 win against Central Michigan this past week. Mensah has completed an absurd 88.7% of his passes for 1,211 yards and 14 TDs with 0 INTs. It certainly hasn’t hurt that Mensah has star WR Malachi Toney to target, as Toney has caught 34 passes for 564 yards (third in the nation) and 6 TDs (second).

RB Mark Fletcher Jr. missed last week’s game against Central Michigan with an upper-body injury but is off the injury report heading into Saturday’s matchup against Clemson. When healthy, few offenses are as dangerous as the Hurricanes. 

5: Ohio State Buckeyes

AP Ranking: #5

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.47x I No 2.56x)

While it was probably never in question, it’s become crystal clear that Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is the most talented wideout in the nation. Smith hauled in 12 passes for 217 yards and a mind-numbing 4 TDs in a 42-19 win against Illinois in Week 4.

In doing so, Smith has already topped Ohio State's all-time receiving yards record and is just 10 receptions and 2 TDs away from breaking the all-time receptions and TD records too. It shouldn't surprise anyone that Smith leads the country in receiving yards (617) and is tied for first in TDs (7).

From a team perspective, the Texas loss is nearly a distant memory, as Ohio State has outscored Kent State and Illinois 101-22 over its last two games. However, traveling to Kinnick Stadium to take on #14 Iowa will provide quite the challenge on Saturday. 

6: Indiana Hoosiers

AP Ranking: #6

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 2x I No 1.72x)

Indiana was nearly flawless en route to a CFP national title a season ago, but repeating that performance is no easy feat. The Hoosiers are 4-0 to start the season, but they definitely haven’t been the dominant group they were in 2025.

Indiana got all it could handle in a 29-23 win against Northwestern last week and was held in check through the air, with QB Josh Hoover throwing for just 201 yards. While it wasn’t Hoover’s best performance, the veteran signal-caller has still completed 70.0% of his passes and threw 10 TDs this season. He's yet to throw an interception, which was his Achilles’ heel at TCU.

RB Turbo Richard suffered a lower-leg injury against Northwestern but is listed as probable on the team’s injury report for this week’s game against Rutgers. The Hoosiers will certainly need Richard and his 7.7 yards per carry as the Big Ten portion of the schedule continues. 

7: Florida Gators

AP Ranking: #8

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.85x I No 1.81x)

Florida made a statement in a 52-28 win against Ole Miss last week. The Gators’ dominant performance was fueled by the ground game, as they rushed for 302 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

RB Jaden Baugh entered the Heisman Trophy conversation after racking up 142 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. The Rebels had no answer for Baugh's physical running style. According to PrizePicks, Baugh is tied for the fourth-shortest payout to win the Heisman Trophy (9.09x).

The Gators’ defense was also downright stingy, keeping QB Trinidad Chambliss and company in check for the majority of the contest. Florida travels to Columbia to take on #25 Missouri on Saturday, followed by facing Texas on the road later this month.

8: Alabama Crimson Tide

AP Ranking: #7

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.88x I No 1.75x)

To say QB Keelon Russell has come into his own the last two weeks would be a massive understatement. The sophomore signal-caller has completed 77.2% of his passes for 685 yards and 7 TDs against Florida State and South Carolina in his past two games. Russell has also shown his dual-threat ability, averaging 5.3 yards per carry this season. 

The Crimson Tide are putting up 48.0 points per game thus far, ranking third in the SEC. After a fairly easy start to the season, the schedule gets downright daunting over the next three weeks. Alabama will travel to #16 Mississippi State this week, host #2 Georgia on October 10, and face #17 Tennessee in Knoxville on October 17.

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9: Ole Miss Rebels

AP Ranking: #9

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.72x)

What a difference a week makes. Ole Miss was on top of the college football world after defeating arch-nemesis Lane Kiffin and LSU two weeks ago, but the Rebels came crashing down to Earth in a Week 4 loss to Florida.

The Rebels missed RB Kewan Lacy in the backfield, as QB Trinidad Chambliss led the team in rushing. It also didn’t help that Ole Miss trailed all game, and Chambliss had to constantly put the ball in the air. 

The most glaring takeaway probably came on defense, with the Rebels allowing 498 total yards and getting gashed on the ground. Ole Miss has allowed 404.8 total yards per game (last in the SEC) and 0.08 EPA per play. If the Rebels keep giving up chunk plays at this rate, the CFP could slip away. 

10: BYU Cougars

AP Ranking: #10

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 2.32x I No 1.53x)

BYU has raced out to a 3-0 start, but it had a bye week in Week 4. The Cougars are averaging 44.0 points per game this season, ranking ninth in the country. QB Bear Bachmeier has been very efficient out of the gate, completing 71.0% of his passes for 642 yards and 6 TDs. 

BYU has a solid win against Arizona under its belt, but the marquee matchup everyone has circled on their calendar is against #3 Notre Dame on October 17.

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11: Mississippi State Bulldogs

AP Ranking: #16

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.69x I No 1.92x)

Mississippi State has been one of the most polarizing teams in the country thus far. QB Kamario Taylor has been truly sensational, completing 69.2% of his passes and is currently tied for the NCAA lead in TD passes (14).

Taylor had another tremendous performance, throwing for 360 yards and 3 TDs in a 31-24 win against Missouri last week. RB Fluff Bothwell (122 yards & 1 TD) and WR Anthony Evans III (114 yards) paced a Bulldogs team that currently ranks fourth in the country in yards per game (533.3). 

While the win over Missouri was impressive, this weekend’s showdown against #7 Alabama will be the team’s greatest obstacle to date. 

12: LSU Tigers

AP Ranking: #11

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 2.17x I No 1.53x)

After dropping an emotional game at Ole Miss, LSU got back on track with a convincing 35-6 win over Texas A&M.

The story was the Tigers’ defense, which held QB Marcel Reed and the Aggies offense to just 197 total yards. LSU forced 2 turnovers and registered 4 sacks en route to the dominant victory. QB Sam Leavitt also had his most efficient performance of the season, completing 17 of 23 passes for 312 yards and 2 TDs.

LSU faces McNeese this coming week before taking on #24 Kentucky and #16 Mississippi State in the ensuing two games. 

13: Utah Utes

AP Ranking: #13

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.49x I No 2.5x)

Utah had arguably its toughest test so far against Iowa State last week. The Utes ended up passing with flying colors as they came away with a 31-17 victory.

RB Wayshawn Parker has been electrifying, rushing for 174 yards and 2 TDs against the Cyclones. Could this finally be the season that Utah breaks through and reaches the CFP? 

14: Oregon Ducks

AP Ranking: #15

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 2x I No 1.75x)

Oregon has had a bumpy start to the year, with a loss against #19 Oklahoma State earlier this season. In Week 4, Oregon recorded a 41-27 win against #18 USC, but it came at a cost.

QB Dante Moore suffered a concussion early in the second quarter, and it’s unknown how long Moore will be sidelined. Fortunately, the Ducks have an extremely talented backup in former Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola. 

Raiola completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and 2 TDs to lead Oregon to a hard-fought win vs. USC. Oregon still has an electric offense, featuring WR Evan Stewart, WR Dakorien Moore, and TE Jamari Johnson. The Ducks get some time off with a bye before hosting #23 UCLA on October 10.

15: Iowa Hawkeyes

AP Ranking: #14

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.78x I No 1.85x)

Iowa certainly had a flair for dramatics in its last-second 20-19 win against Michigan this past Saturday. QB Hank Brown found WR Reece Vander Zee on a 16-yard game-winning TD as time expired to lift the Hawkeyes to victory.

It was a spectacular win, even though the Wolverines outgained the Hawkeyes 429-285 in total yards. Iowa now has strong wins against Iowa State and Michigan. However, Iowa has no time to take its feet off the gas as it hosts #5 Ohio State on Saturday. 

16: Tennessee Volunteers

AP Ranking: #17

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.66x)

Tennessee gave #1 Texas a fight in Week 4 but ultimately fell 20-17 to the Longhorns’ dominant defense. The Volunteers racked up 151 passing yards and averaged just 4.7 yards per pass against a relentless Longhorns’ pass rush that tallied 10 sacks.

Tennessee has a chance to bounce back against Auburn and Arkansas over the next two weeks before it faces #7 Alabama at home on October 17.

17: Texas Tech Red Raiders

AP Ranking: #12

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.92x I No 1.81x)

Texas Tech is 4-0 out of the gate and topped Sam Houston 49-14 in its most recent contest. The Red Raiders haven’t been a dominant scoring offense as we’ve seen in previous years, and QB Will Hammond has had his fair share of struggles with just 4 TDs and 5 INTs to begin the year.

Still, Texas Tech doesn’t have a particularly daunting schedule and can certainly still be one of the top teams in the Big 12. 

18: Oklahoma State Cowboys

AP Ranking: #19

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.69x I No 2.08x)

Aside from a season-opening loss to Tulsa, it’s been smooth sailing for Oklahoma State so far. Oklahoma State topped #15 Oregon last month and came away with a 41-24 win against a feisty West Virginia team last week.

QB Drew Mestemaker has thrived in his new surroundings, ranking fourth in the country in passing with 1,271 yards. With Mestemaker leading the Cowboys’ offense, this is a group that could make some noise in the Big 12 this season. 

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19: USC Trojans

AP Ranking: #18

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.66x I No 1.96x)

USC came up short against #15 Oregon in Week 4, despite the Ducks losing QB Dante Moore in the second quarter. The Ducks’ defense gave QB Jayden Maiava and the USC offense some issues, but he still threw for 326 yards and 2 TDs.

Maiava currently leads the nation in passing yards (1,499) and is tied for the lead in TD passes (14). USC's biggest issue has been its defense, which has allowed 26.4 points per game (fourth in the Big Ten). 

20: SMU Mustangs

AP Ranking: #21

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.75x I No 1.81x)

SMU’s loss to Louisville earlier this month was deflating, but the Mustangs have still been impressive thus far.

QB Kevin Jennings continues to prove that he’s one of the most productive signal-callers in the country. Jennings ranks second in passing yards (1,453) and has also thrown 12 TDs this season. With Jennings operating at a high level, the Mustangs are in line to win many games throughout the 2026 season. 

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21: Boise State Broncos

AP Ranking: #22

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.78x I No 1.75x)

Boise State is 3-1 out of the gate, with the only blemish being a hard-fought 34-27 loss to #15 Oregon in its season opener. The Broncos could be a dark horse to sneak into the CFP if they can run the table in the Pac-12. Boise State’s talented offense is led by RB Dylan Riley, who has tallied 592 rushing yards and 6.6 yards per carry.

22: UCLA Bruins

AP Ranking: #23

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.42x I No 2x)

UCLA posted back-to-back losing seasons over the last two years before the program lured former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins have raced out to a 4-0 start and absolutely dismantled Maryland in a 52-3 win this past week.

UCLA has been electric on the ground, with RB Wayne Knight leading the way with 445 yards and 9 TDs on an absurd 9.1 yards per carry. The Bruins will get their first big test on October 10 when they face #15 Oregon on the road. 

23: Houston Cougars

AP Ranking: #20

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.81x I No 1.88x)

When it comes to Houston, the story remains the sensational offense. After all, the Cougars are averaging 505.8 yards per game (11th nationally) while putting up 44.5 points per game (eighth).

QB Connor Weigman has been exceptional, completing 71.6% of his passes for 947 yards and 11 TDs this season. It also doesn’t hurt that Houston possesses a stellar running game, paced by former Oregon RB Makhi Hughes (5.0 yards per carry). 

24: Missouri Tigers

AP Ranking: #25

Projected Win Total: 7+ (Yes 2.22x I No 1.61x)

Missouri has gotten off to a strong start with QB Austin Simmons under center. In last Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State, Missouri even held a 24-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter before its defense allowed 2 TDs in the final 15 minutes.

Simmons threw for 295 yards and 3 TDs in the loss and will likely need similar performances against #8 Florida and #9 Ole Miss over the next few weeks.

25: Wisconsin Badgers

AP Ranking: Not Ranked

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.58x I No 1.92x)

Wisconsin rallied from a 20-10 deficit in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to upset Penn State. The Badgers scored 14 points in the span of 2:18, including a 72-yard TD catch-and-run from TE Jacob Harris.

Wisconsin will need more consistency from QB Colton Joseph, who is completing just 58.5% of his passes with 5 INTs.

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Texas remains the top-ranked team in the nation but looked vulnerable in last week’s win against Tennessee. As conference play continues, the pecking order will likely shift weekly, with Florida the latest team to record a marquee win. 

As the college football season rolls on, users can make college football predictions for the 2026 campaign.

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