Phil Steele's Top 12 College Football Surprise Teams Ahead of 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

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

ESPN Ranks the 25 Hardest Remaining College Football Schedules Going Into Week 9

Ranking the 20 College Football Coaches On the Hot Seat Going Into Week 9

Ranking the 20 College Football Coaches On the Hot Seat Going Into Week 8

Ranking the 10 Most Overrated Teams in College Football Right Now (Week 8)

LATEST Nigel Smith II NEWS

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

Miami&#039;s elite offense faces Notre Dame&#039;s stout defense in a defining 2026 matchup featuring star quarterbacks, explosive playmakers and major playoff stakes.

Miami vs. Notre Dame: Elite Offense Meets Top Defense

Miami and Notre Dame renew a fierce football rivalry shaped by blowouts, controversy and iconic games, with major rankings and national attention at stake.

Miami vs. Notre Dame: Historic Football Rivalry Returns

LATEST VIDEOS

View the profile of Oklahoma Sooners DL Nigel Smith II on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

description

keywords

twitter:card

Nigel Smith II | Oklahoma Sooners | DL | SportsGrid.com

twitter:title

twitter:description

https://app.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/og-logo_640x334.png

twitter:image

google

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

LATEST Nigel Smith II

HT/WT

Birthplace

Class

#6 · OKLA · DL

Nigel Smith II

Nigel Smith II BIO

Drake Stoops

Eddy Pierre-Louis

Gentry Williams

Justin Harrington

Josh Plaster

Pierce Hudgens

Andrel Anthony

Ethan Lane

Sammy Omosigho

Cooper Cookson

Nigel Smith II is a DL for the Oklahoma Sooners in the NCAAF.

Oklahoma Sooners

NCAAF

NHL commissioner Bettman familiar with both Bills, Foley and Laurie

Jake Paul to face former kickboxing champion Cédric Doumbé in Dubai on Christmas Eve

Lionel Messi's GOAT Legacy & Argentina's Future Without Him

Champions League Preview: Leipzig vs. Manchester City

Predicting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 10

Ranking the Top 12 Players in the NBA Right Now

Ranking the Top 25 Players in College Basketball Right Now

HEADLINES

TST Best Bets: November 3, 2026

Knights battle back to gain a point in 3-2 shootout loss to Bruins

TST Images: Firebirds defeat Silver Knights, 5-1, at Acrisure Arena

Ducks honor Mighty Disney movie roots for Hometown Remix sweaters

Luka Doncic passes Victor Wembanyama as NBA MVP favorite after historic start to season

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

Max Strus is back, but the Clippers&#39; fourth-quarter problem isn&#39;t going anywhere

Luka Dončić drops 42 Points in win over Miami

Rams finding their identity through physicality and a dominant running game

Why the Ravens Should Move On From Lamar Jackson Now

Cowboys' Collapse: NFL's Biggest Questions This Week

Jeffery Simmons Shines in Bears Debut: A Game-Changing Trade

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

Why the Tampa Bay Rays Remain World Series Contenders

2026-27 College Basketball Futures: Experience & Value Picks

Jaden Matingou&#39;s last-second jumper lifts Hawai‘i past Seattle 74-73 in season opener

UCLA upsets No. 5 Arizona to begin season

No. 21 USC cruises past Milwaukee in season-opening blowout

NCAAB

Golf's Timeless Joy: Sam Reeves' Reflection on Lessons

Ben Crenshaw Reveals Several of His Putting Techniques

Exploring Doctor Alister Mackenzie's Golf Course Mastery

Ben Crenshaw on Honoring Jim Langley: A Golf Legend's Legacy

Medina, Simmers win Philippines Pro; Pipeline set for 2026 World Championship

Chargers' Future: Harbaugh, Herbert and a Potential New Coach

Denver Broncos Stun Chiefs 28-24, Claim AFC West Lead

Gardner Minshew Rallies Cardinals Past Cowboys in OT

Defending national champion UCLA opens season with 73-53 win over Lehigh

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

MORE

Expert picks & analysis

Game Picks

Head-to-head breakdowns

Matchups

Powered by SportsGrid's projections

Player Props

Prediction Market HQ

Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz: Bengals Best Fit?

Cowboys Collapse in Overtime as Jerry Jones Watches

Florida State Fires Mike Norvell After Clemson Loss

Have Howie Roseman's Eagles Left Titles Behind?

Josh Jacobs’ Fantasy Value Faces More Questions

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

ESPN Ranks Top 25 College Football Teams With Best Chance to Win the Natty Going Into Week 10

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Unbeaten Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP Going Into Week 10

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Undefeated Teams by Strength of Schedule Right Now

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Undefeated Teams to Win Out Ahead of Week 10

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

Oregon State Team Total Bet and Heisman Receiver Debate

Jayden Maiava’s USC Heisman Odds Face Tough Upcoming Tests

2026-27 Heisman Race: Jeremiah Smith Leads Top Contenders

Georgia-Florida Over 56.5: Why the Rivalry Goes High

Ohio State vs. USC: Over 50.5 Bet and Riley's Future

Josh Hoover Passing Prop and Indiana-Michigan Best Bets

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

Florida State Fires Mike Norvell: Who Will Replace Him?

BYU vs. Utah Football: Rivalry Odds & Game Preview

Georgia vs. Ole Miss Preview: Bulldogs Hold the Edge

Cutter Gauthier hat trick powers Ducks 6-goal rally, reset win over Senators

TST Images: Gulls defeat Eagles, 3-2, in San Diego

Ducks Notebook: Terry, Moore return to practice, Jensen clears waivers, Klepov to juniors

Quenneville sends clear message to struggling Ducks in starting Brossoit

2027 Stanley Cup Odds: Colorado, Vegas, and Edmonton Lead Pack

Conn Smythe Market Prices: Mitch Marner Heads to the Top

Stanley Cup Showdown: Vegas vs. Carolina for the Title

Carolina and Vegas Favorites for Stanley Cup Showdown

TST Best Bets: October 29, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 26, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 22, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 20, 2026

Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

Tkachuk Brothers Make NHL History on Wild Hockey Night

Edmonton Oilers Struggle Defensively, Lose to Canucks

2026-27 NHL Season Begins: Key Teams and Betting Tips

TST Images: Lakers defeat Heat, 138-117, at Crypto.com Arena

TST Images: Raptors defeat Clippers, 125-118, at Intuit Dome

Lakers vs. Heat: What to watch on the second night of back-to-back

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

NBA Futures: Predictions for Top Teams and Players This Season

Spurs Lead in Western Conference Odds Over OKC & Denver

Celtics vs. Heat: Best Betting Value to Win NBA East

NBA Futures Analysis: OKC, Spurs, & Knicks Betting Odds Breakdown

TST Best Bets: November 2, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 28, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 27, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 21, 2026

NBA Showdown: New York vs. Philadelphia - Key Players & Odds!

JJ Redick Faces a Defining Year as Lakers Head Coach

Western Conference Odds: Minnesota Value and Lakers’ Hot Start

76ers, LeBron, & Knicks Face a Loaded Eastern Conference

Bleacher Report 2027 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 32 First Round Picks

CBS Sports 2027 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: First Round Picks 1-32

USA TODAY's 2027 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 32 First Round Picks

ESPN's 2027 NFL First Round Mock Draft 1.0: Picks 1-32

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 8

ESPN Predicts the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Cleveland Browns Playoff Odds: Bet the AFC North Run?

AFC North Betting: Sell Steelers, Trust Joe Burrow?

Seahawks-Bears Props: Smith-Njigba Receiving Yards & RB Props

Tony Pollard and Ollie Gordon Touchdown Props for Sunday

Top NFL Player Props: Gibbs, Henry and Jaguars Overs

Chuba Hubbard Leads Top NFL Touchdown Scorer Picks

Chicago Bears Crush Seahawks, Emerge as NFC Contenders

Are the Jacksonville Jaguars Legitimate AFC Contenders?

Bengals vs. Steelers: Who Will Win the AFC North Race?

Brian Schottenheimer's Future After Cowboys Collapse

Dodgers open as favorites to win 2027 World Series despite Brewers&#39; dominant championship season

Angels decline Kurt Suzuki’s managerial option

TST Best Bets: October 16, 2026

Dodgers&#39; historic three-peat dream is over, ending a golden era in Los Angeles

Potential Brewers vs. Rays World Series Odds & Predictions

Brewers replace Dodgers as World Series favorites after taking 2-0 NLCS lead

The Dynamics of a Potential Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS

MLB Futures Ods: Updated Markets After Wildcard Rounds

World Series Game 5: Jacob Misiorowski Outs and MVP Picks

Rays Player Props: Back Caminero and Diaz in Game 4

World Series Hitter Props: Contreras & Turang Lines

Pitching Props: Jax & May Strikeout Unders Tonight

MLB Free Agency Rumors: Trades, Signings and Stars

Milwaukee Brewers Make History: First World Series Win!

Underdogs Rise: Surprising Championship Wins in Sports Betting

How the Brewers' Elite Bullpen Fueled a World Series Run

Candy Stripe Scoop: And So It Begins for Indiana (Week One)

Sizzling shooting helps Hawaii Pacific rout St. Edward&#39;s in Hoops in Hawaii opener

TST Images: SDSU defeat Long Beach State, 92-67, at Viejas Arena

Aztecs close exhibition slate, get full team involved to run past Long Beach State

Most Outstanding Player Odds: Mara, Reed Lead the Pack

National Championship Odds: Michigan Leads, Arizona Trails Behind

National Championship Odds Analysis: Michigan Leads the Pack

National Championship Odds: Arizona and Michigan Lead the Pack

Nigel Smith II

#6 · OKLA · DL

HT/WT

6’3”, 300 lbs

Birthplace

Melissa, TX, USA

Class

Junior

LATEST Nigel Smith II NEWS

EDITOR'S PICKS