The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings show significant movement among major programs, including Utah rising to No. 20 and BYU dropping to a tie at No. 14. Meanwhile, Michigan's defense secured a victory over Oklahoma, and LSU climbed into the Top 10 following a dominant win over Clemson.
Utah Rises in National Polls
In the latest national rankings released on Sept. 8, 2026, the University of Utah saw an upward trend, moving to No. 20 in the AP poll. This follows a strong performance by the Utes, who secured a 43-10 victory over Arkansas on Sept. 12, 2026, to improve their season record to 2-0. This win followed a previous 66-14 victory against Idaho on Sept. 3, 2026.
BYU Position Shifts
While Utah climbed, BYU saw a slight decline in the rankings. The Cougars are currently tied for No. 14 in the AP Top 25 with Southern Cal, according to the Associated Press. Earlier in the preseason, Big 12 conference data indicated that four Big 12 teams were ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.
Michigan Defense Secures Victory
The University of Michigan's defense made headlines with a 17-10 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma on Sept. 12, 2026. This win improved the Wolverines to a 2-0 record. This performance followed a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan on Sept. 5, 2026. Michigan is scheduled to host UTEP on Sept. 19, 2026, in its first-ever meeting with the program.
LSU Climbs into Top 10
LSU has emerged as a dominant force in the national rankings following a 51-10 victory over Clemson in Tiger Stadium. This win, which marked LSU's 22nd consecutive victory against non-conference opponents in Death Valley, propelled the Tigers up three positions from No. 11 to No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Sept. 8, 2026. LSU also jumped five spots to No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
National Leaders Maintain Dominance
The landscape of the top of the rankings remains dominated by Ohio State, which holds the No. 1 spot in both the AP and AFCA Coaches polls. Ohio State earned 1684 points in the AP poll. Other top-tier programs include Oregon at No. 2 and Georgia at No. 3 in the AP rankings. Indiana also holds a high position, ranked No. 5 in the AP poll with 1428 points.
Season Context and Outlook
The 2026 season has seen several notable statistical achievements. LSU's 41-point margin of victory over Clemson was the largest against a Top 25 opponent for the Tigers since 2007. Additionally, the University of Utah continues its season with an upcoming matchup against Utah State on Sept. 19, 2026, and a scheduled game against Iowa State on Sept. 26, 2026.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the national rankings continue to fluctuate based on weekly performances. The upcoming schedule for major programs includes Michigan facing UTEP on Sept. 19, 2026, and Utah preparing to host Utah State on Sept. 19, 2026.
