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 DT Ted Hammond on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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Ted Hammond is a DT for the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAAF.

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USA TODAY 2027 NFL First Round Mock Draft 6.0: Picks 1-32

ESPN Ranks College Football's 11 1-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP Right Now

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Ravens QB Crisis Shifts Jaguars Betting Odds and Props

Chicago Bears Crush Seahawks, Emerge as NFC Contenders

ESPN Ranks the 9 B1G Teams With a Chance to Win the Big Ten Right Now

ESPN Ranks College Football's 11 1-Loss Teams by Strength of Record Right Now: Ahead of Week 10

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

FOX Sports' 2027 NFL First Round Mock Draft 2.0: Rob Rang's 1-32 Picks

Mel Kiper's ESPN Top 25 College Football Players Ranked: 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

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Ranking All 14 Active No. 1 Overall NFL Draft Picks 1-14 Going Into Week 9

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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Another Gauthier hat trick, Ducks hot power play payback Canucks

Hertl delivers late to lift Knights past Penguins 3-2

NHL commissioner Bettman familiar with both Bills, Foley and Laurie

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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

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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?

Josh Jacobs’ Fantasy Value Faces More Questions

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

Ranking the 15 College Football Coaches On the Hot Seat Going Into Week 10

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

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

ESPN’s NFL Team Future Rankings for 2027-2029 1-32: Going Into Week 9

Week 9 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Malik Willis, Jonah Coleman, Tyler Allgeier, Mike Washington Jr., Antonio Williams, Chig Okonkwo and MORE

Rams finding their identity through physicality and a dominant running game

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

Are the Jacksonville Jaguars Legitimate AFC Contenders?

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

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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

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

TST Images: UCLA defeats Arizona, 84-75, at T-Mobile Arena

Hoosiers Tame Panthers 91-57

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

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

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

Florida Basketball’s Continuity Stands Out in NIL Era

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2026-27 College Basketball Title Odds: Florida, UConn and More

Exploring NCAA's Reaction to College Basketball Trends

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

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Ducks honor Mighty Disney movie roots for Hometown Remix sweaters

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

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

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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

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Western Conference Odds: Minnesota Value and Lakers’ Hot Start

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Ted Hammond

#92 · MICH · DT

HT/WT

6’3”, 270 lbs

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Cincinnati, OH, USA

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