BYU football entered the top 10 in both major national polls on September 20, 2026. The Cougars rose to No. 9 in both The Associated Press Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll administered by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) following a 41-23 road victory at Colorado State on September 19.
In the AP poll, voters advanced the Cougars two places from No. 11. The top 10 in the AP includes No. 1 Texas (3-0), No. 2 Georgia (3-0), No. 3 Notre Dame (3-0), No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0), No. 5 Indiana (3-0), No. 6 Miami (3-0), No. 7 Ohio State (2-1), No. 8 Alabama (2-1), No. 9 BYU (3-0), and No. 10 LSU (2-1). Ole Miss made the largest move in the AP top 10, jumping four places after defeating No. 7 LSU on September 19, which caused LSU to fall three spots.
The AFCA Coaches Poll saw the Cougars make the largest jump of any team, advancing four rankings to No. 9. The top five in the AFCA poll remained unchanged from the previous week, featuring Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Miami. Following BYU in the AFCA rankings are Ohio State, Alabama, and Texas Tech (3-0) at No. 10. Texas Tech also moved up two places to join the top 10.
BYU entered the 2026 season ranked 15th by the coaches and tied for No. 14 with USC by AP voters. This marked the second-highest preseason AP ranking in program history, following a No. 10 ranking in 1985. The Cougars have been ranked in each of the last 17 AP polls released since entering the rankings last year at No. 25 with a 3-0 record. Historically, BYU has been ranked 308 times in the AP poll since 1974.
Other Big 12 teams appearing in the AP Top 25 include No. 11 Texas Tech, No. 15 Utah, and No. 25 Houston. The AFCA rankings also include Utah at No. 15. Additional Big 12 schools receiving votes include West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Arizona.
The Cougars previously earned a 12-2 season and a Pop-Tarts Bowl title.
