ESPN Ranks the 25 Hardest Remaining College Football Schedules Going Into Week 10

As the 2026 college football season approaches, USA TODAY Sports assembled a 10-voter panel to power rank the top 25 head coaches in the country. Following a chaotic expanded playoff season and a wild coaching carousel, the master list features major shifts across every power conference. From established heavyweights holding down the top tier to rising program builders like Rhett Lashlee, Jon Sumrall, Clark Lea, Josh Heupel, and Sonny Dykes cracking the rankings, we break down every coach's career record, key achievements, and 2026 outlook. Check out our full 25-coach power rankings to see where your team's leader sits.

USA TODAY's Top 25 College Football Coaches: Records Going Into Week 10

As kickoff for the 2026 college football season draws near, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) supercomputer simulated thousands of regular-season scenarios to project the final 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. Stripping away subjective voter bias and preseason hype, the algorithm evaluated per-play efficiency, roster talent, and schedule difficulty to calculate every program's exact postseason odds. We expanded our master index to power rank the top 30 teams most likely to crash the playoff party. From top-tier titans like Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Oregon leading the field, to dark horses and Group-of-Five contenders like Boise State, Utah, South Carolina, Florida State, and Virginia lurking on the bubble, we break down every program's FPI profile, projected record, and postseason odds. Check out our complete 30-team playoff projection to see where your team stands.

ESPN Ranks College Football's 48 Teams With a Chance to Make CFP Going Into Week 10

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 9

In the mega-expanded Big Ten, having an elite mind on the sidelines is the ultimate difference between contending for a national championship and scrambling for bowl eligibility. USA Today ran a comprehensive audit to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 season. From Curt Cignetti crowning an incredible national title run in Bloomington to top Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, to blockbuster moves like Kyle Whittingham taking over Michigan and Matt Campbell landing at Penn State, we break down the entire 18-team hierarchy. Check out our complete tactical breakdown to see where your favorite team's head coach lands entering 2026.

USA Today's Big Ten College Football Head Coaches Ranked 1-18: Going Into Week 9

USA Today's Preseason Big Ten Quarterback Rankings: Stats Going Into Week 9

Ranking The Top 30 College Quarterbacks Right Now: Going into Week 9

ESPN Predicts Final Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

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The playoff committee ranks Miami first, Utah third and Indiana fourth, fueling a debate over Texas, UCLA, BYU and Notre Dame&#039;s postseason credentials.

College Football Playoff Rankings Spark Major Debate

The first playoff rankings may mean little as Notre Dame-Miami, Alabama-LSU, Georgia-Ole Miss and UCLA-USC reshape a wildly unpredictable season this fall.

College Football Playoff Rankings Face a Chaotic Week

Miami survives UNC and turns to a pivotal Notre Dame clash as UCLA and USC rise, rankings shift, and NIL reshapes college football&#039;s path to the NFL today.

Miami Faces Notre Dame as College Football Rankings Shift

Miami and Notre Dame meet in South Bend with Heisman hopes at stake, as CJ Carr, Malachi Toney and others battle to shape the trophy race this weekend.

Miami vs. Notre Dame Could Decide the Heisman Trophy

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View the profile of Michigan Wolverines K/P Charlie Mentzer on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on BCS Computers Formula Going Into Week 10

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Mack&#39;s career-high 31 points propel UNLV to season opening win

SDSU offense explodes in season opener with six in double-figures to top Titans

TST Images: San Diego State defeats Cal State Fullerton, 102-78, in San Diego

TST Images: UNLV defeats NAU, 89-77, at Thomas & Mack Center

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Hertl delivers late to lift Knights past Penguins 3-2

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With Election Day looming, this Laker states his claim as MVP in win over Miami

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Why Baker, Maddon, Bochy and Piniella Belong in Cooperstown

Pat Murphy Built the Brewers' World Series Culture

Michael King Could Cash In on a Weak Free-Agent Class

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Phil Steele's 2026 College Football 14 Most Improved Teams: Records Going Into Week 10

Ranking the Top 10 Potential Upsets for College Football Week 10

Ranking the 10 Most Overrated Teams in College Football Right Now (Week 10)

Learning from Madison: USC rewrites its bye-week plan

Election Night Prediction Markets Track Key Senate Races

Prediction Markets Point to Major Democratic Senate Gains

How to Read Election Prediction Market Price Swings

Election Night Prediction Markets & Governor Races

Texas Senate Race Drives Election Prediction Markets

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Cowboys Collapse in Overtime as Jerry Jones Watches

Florida State Fires Mike Norvell After Clemson Loss

Have Howie Roseman's Eagles Left Titles Behind?

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ESPN Ranks College Football's 11 1-Loss Teams by Strength of Schedule Going Into Week 10

USA TODAY's Top 10 College Football Coaches On the Hot Seat Ahead of Week 10

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Bleacher Report 2027 NFL Mock Draft 6.0: 1-32 1st-Round Picks

UCLA, USC climb in AP Top 25 as playoff hopes and title odds improve

Oregon State Team Total Bet and Heisman Receiver Debate

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Ole Miss vs. Texas Picks: Back the Rebels in Austin

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Top NFL Player Props: Gibbs, Henry and Jaguars Overs

Chuba Hubbard Leads Top NFL Touchdown Scorer Picks

Why the Ravens Should Move On From Lamar Jackson Now

Cowboys' Collapse: NFL's Biggest Questions This Week

TST Images: USC defeats Milwaukee, 95-63, in Los Angeles

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Hoosiers Tame Panthers 91-57

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Most Outstanding Player Odds: Mara, Reed Lead the Pack

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CBS Sports Preseason 2027 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: First Round Picks 1-30

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Charlie Mentzer

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