As the college football season progresses, the AP Poll has continued to draw criticism for its apparent inaccuracies. With the College Football Playoff Committee's rankings just around the corner, we felt it was time to take matters into our own hands and present our very own A to Z Top 25 College Football Poll.
A to Z Top 25 Rankings
Our expert team has compiled a list that reflects a more accurate picture of the college football landscape. Here’s how our A to Z Top 25 stack up:
- 1. Miami - 172 points (4 first-place votes)
- 2. Ohio State - 167 points (2)
- 3. BYU - 161 points (1)
- 4. Indiana - 143 points
- 5. Texas Tech - 140 points
- 6. Georgia - 135 points
- 7. Ole Miss - 130 points
- 8. Notre Dame - 126 points
- 9. UCLA - 122 points
- 10. Tennessee - 119 points
- 11. Utah - 118 points
- 12. Kentucky - 98 points
- 13. Houston - 97 points
- 14. Alabama - 86 points
- 15. USC - 72 points
- 16. Wake Forest - 59 points
- 17. LSU - 58 points
- 18. Florida - 55 points
- 19. Iowa - 54 points
- 20. Texas - 44 points
- 21. Northwestern - 32 points
- 22. Missouri - 28 points
- 23. Boise State - 26 points
- 24. Auburn - 16 points
- 25. SMU - 15 points
Notably, several teams made the cut in our rankings that were completely overlooked by the AP Poll this week.
Highlighting the Overachievers
It's clear our panel felt strongly about putting certain teams higher than what the AP Poll suggested:
Auburn Tigers
Auburn has proven themselves to be a formidable opponent this season. After a strong performance against Georgia, it was surprising to see them excluded from the AP list altogether. As they fine-tune their strategy with a new coaching staff, they have the chance to continue climbing the ranks.
Florida Gators
The Gators are another team benefitting from a rock-solid win over Texas, earning them a rightful place in our rankings above the Longhorns. Their defensive efforts and depth in key positions cannot be ignored.
Indiana Hoosiers
Despite a loss, Indiana has demonstrated they can compete with the best. Their near-miss against Ohio State highlighted their potential to make waves in upcoming matchups.
Tennessee Volunteers
With a definitive identity and a powerful offense, Tennessee has emerged as a significant contender. Their close loss to the previous number one team speaks volumes about their capability this season.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech's undefeated record raises questions about their apparent snub by the AP Poll. Their consistent offensive performance suggests they deserve more recognition.
Teams We Differed On
While many teams earned higher rankings, a few notable teams didn't fare as well on our list:
Iowa Hawkeyes
While Iowa has had some quality wins, doubts remain about their ability to compete at the top level, determining their slightly lower position compared to AP rankings.
Miami Hurricanes
We did place Miami at the top, but our rankings reflected a more divided opinion regarding their dominance compared to other contenders.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Despite their past glory, Notre Dame's lack of wins against ranked opponents has led us to place them lower than their AP counterpart.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns' struggles in performance have led our experts to question their overall standing, believing they are currently less deserving of a top ranking.
As college football remains unpredictable, we'll continue to assess and update our rankings, keeping you in the loop. Stay tuned for more analysis and insights as the season unfolds!