Projected AP Top 25 after Week 8 of the 2026 season
Miami remains No. 1 following a 52-23 victory over Pitt, while several teams shift in the rankings as voters assess recent upsets and wins.
Miami stayed at the top of the AP Top 25 after a 52-23 win over Pitt, extending its unbeaten run and reinforcing head coach Mario Cristobal's early-season success. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia and BYU round out the projected top five, with BYU expected to retain its spot despite a recent loss to an unranked opponent.
Indiana moves into the top six after an overtime win over Michigan, while UCLA climbs to No. 7 following a 28-10 victory over Michigan State. Utah’s 21-13 win against No. 14 Houston secures it a top-ten position, and Kentucky’s 34-17 win over Vanderbilt keeps the Wildcats in contention for a top-ten finish.
Texas, after beating Ole Miss, is projected to re-enter the top ten despite two earlier losses, positioning the Longhorns as a potential playoff candidate. Alabama, Texas Tech, Wake Forest and Ole Miss round out the top fifteen, with LSU, Florida and Tennessee completing the projected top twenty.
Teams on the fringe of the poll, such as Boise State, SMU, Northwestern and Arizona, are expected to receive votes, while Oklahoma State and Wisconsin are projected to re-enter the Top 25 after recent victories.
Voters are anticipated to broaden the pool of teams receiving votes, with as many as 40 programs possibly appearing on the ballot for the final spots, reflecting the increased volatility after several upsets this week.