Ranking the Top 50 College Football Running Backs Right Now: Going Into Week 9

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 Top 50 College Football Teams With a Chance to Make CFP Going Into Week 9

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 9

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

Going 12-0 in modern college football is arguably the hardest feat in sports. As kickoff for the 2026 season approaches, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) supercomputer simulated thousands of regular-season scenarios to calculate the exact win-out probabilities for every FBS program. Factoring in roster depth, efficiency ratings, and schedule difficulty, we expanded our master index to power rank the 10 teams most likely to finish the regular season undefeated. From Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio State leading the unblemished board to Miami, Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and UNLV lurking, we break down every program's FPI profile, team record, and path to perfection. Check out our full 10-team breakdown to see who could run the table.

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Undefeated Teams From Most to Least Likely to Win Out Ahead of Week 9

Miami merits the No. 1 ranking with elite talent on offense and defense, but questions remain over whether the Hurricanes truly stand far above every rival.

Is No. 1 Miami Really College Football's Best Team?

Miami stays unbeaten after crushing Pitt, while Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame round out a top five shaping the national title race ahead.

College Football Top Five: Miami Claims the No. 1 Spot

Notre Dame&#039;s schedule draws criticism, while Miami, BYU and Big 12 teams rise in the AP poll despite weak opponents, exposing college football&#039;s bad rankings.

Notre Dame Schedule Scrutiny and AP Poll Double Standards

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Florida&#039;s improved defense could keep Georgia close, making the Gators +11.5 and under 55.5 appealing bets in an Atlanta matchup unlikely to become a shootout.

Florida vs. Georgia: Why the Under 55.5 Is the Best Bet

Three star receivers are mounting historic Heisman campaigns, but quarterback bias may favor Miami&#039;s Darian Mensah as Ohio State faces major uncertainty.

Heisman Race: Star Receivers Challenge QB Tradition

Miami remains No. 1 as strength of schedule shapes the rankings, UCLA stays unbeaten, and NIL-driven parity shakes up college football&#039;s top teams this season.

College Football Rankings: Miami Leads, UCLA Rises

Miami stakes its claim to No. 1 after a dominant win over Pitt, while BYU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Tennessee and Houston tumble in a truly chaotic weekend.

Miami Rises to No. 1 as College Football Playoff Rankings Heat Up

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View the profile of Notre Dame Fighting Irish LB Tre Reader on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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#33 · ND · LB

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Tre Reader is a LB for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAAF.

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Ranking the Top 10 Potential Upsets for College Football Week 9

Ranking the 10 Most Overrated Teams in College Football Right Now (Week 9)

Predicting the 1st Loss for the Remaining 3 Undefeated College Football Teams Heading Into Week 9

Ranking the 5 Most Overrated Teams in the NBA Right Now!

Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Going Into Week 8

Predicting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 9

Phil Steele's 14 Most Improved 2026 College Football Teams: Going Into Week 9

HEADLINES

Ernie Johnson to Retire From 'Inside the NBA' After 37 Years

NBA Best bets: Dallas to Keep It Close, Jazz to Cover Tonight

Phil Steele's 25 Hardest 2026 Schedules: 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

ESPN Ranks College Football's 30 2-Loss Teams By Strength of Record Ahead of Week 9

Ranking The Top 32 NFL Quarterbacks Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Ranking the 10 NFL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat Right Now: Going Into Week 8

ESPN Predicts the Record for All 32 NFL Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

5 Most Overrated NFL Teams Heading Into Week 8

Clippers crumble against Lakers, drop third straight game

Lakers ride Collin Sexton’s spark to win over Clippers

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

Ranking the Top 20 Players in College Basketball Right Now

UNLV returns to &#39;Hardway Eight&#39; mode in 89-77 exhibition loss to BYU

NCAAB

Tampa Bay-Milwaukee Total: Is the Over the Best Bet?

How MLB Rule Changes Are Transforming Baseball Broadcasts

World Series Game 5: Jacob Misiorowski Outs and MVP Picks

Brewers' Winning Strategy: Latino Influence in the World Series

Ducks blow 3-goal lead to cellar-dweller Canucks in &quot;terrible&quot; OT defeat

Hill comes to the rescue as Knights snap three-game skid

TST Images: Golden Knights defeat the Senators, 4-1, at T-Mobile Arena

Kings drop final game of road trip to Blackhawks

SDFC’s playoff hopes end in 4-1 loss to Whitecaps

Coachella falls 5-1 against Tucson

Brewers Fans on the Brink: World Series Dreams Unfold

Bray Lynch Has Adjusted to Playing Center as the Indiana Offensive Line Continues to Gel

12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on BCS Computers Formula Going Into Week 9

ESPN Ranks College Football's Top 15 Quarterbacks Going Into Week 9

ESPN Ranks the 9 B1G Teams With Best Chance to Win the Big Ten Going Into Week 9

USA TODAY's Top 10 College Football Coaches On the Hot Seat Ahead of Week 9

ESPN Ranks College Football's 16 1-Loss Teams by Strength of Record Right Now: Ahead of Week 9

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Milwaukee Brewers Win First World Series Title

Milwaukee's Playoff Run Challenges Salary Cap Talk

NFL Officiating Crisis Demands Expanded Replay

Cam Skattebo's Benching Sends a Clear Message

Falcons’ Inconsistency and Michael Penix’s Promise

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

ESPN Ranks College Football's 30 2-Loss Teams by Strength of Schedule Right Now

ESPN Ranks College Football's 30 2-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP Right Now

5 Bold Predictions for College Football Ahead of Week 9

USC defense gears up for Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

ESPN Ranks the Top 25 College Football Teams Right Now By Résumé

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

College Football Playoff Chaos as Texas Doubts Grow

UCLA at 80-1: A College Football Playoff Value Bet

Josh Hoover Passing Prop and Indiana-Michigan Best Bets

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

College Football Picks: Miami, Georgia and Top Props

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Now the Heisman Trophy Favorite

ESPN’s 2027 NFL First Round Mock Draft 3.0: Kiper’s & Yate's Picks

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

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

Mel Kiper's ESPN Top 15 Players Ranked: 2027 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0

Cleveland Browns Playoff Odds: Bet the AFC North Run?

AFC North Betting: Sell Steelers, Trust Joe Burrow?

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 7

Why the Packers Are a Super Bowl Value Bet at 30-1

Chuba Hubbard Leads Top NFL Touchdown Scorer Picks

NFL Sunday Prop Bets: Bowers, Gordon, Douglas and Mason

Malik Washington Over 4.5 Receptions: Top Plus-Money Bet

Chiefs vs. Seahawks: Best Bets & Sunday Night Under

49ers' Super Bowl Hopes Hinge on Christian McCaffrey's Health

Eagles vs. Commanders: Why Philly Is the Best Bet This Week

Lamar Jackson Expected to Play in Ravens-Bills Clash

Cowboys Crush Eagles 38-21 and Reshape NFC East Race

Lakers at Clippers: What to watch in Round 2 matchup

TST Images: Trail Blazers defeat Lakers, 136-129 , at Crypto.com Arena

Lakers can’t get stops, suffer first loss of season

How Matisse Thybulle ended up with the Lakers

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: October 21, 2026

NBA Stars Sidelined Early as Injuries Frustrate Fans

Miami Heat's 0-4 Start Raises Playoff Concerns in 2026-27

Luka Doncic out against Clippers with back tightness

Malik Beasley Case Fuels Calls for NBA Prop Bet Caps

NBA Injury Strategy & Playoff Seeding Reform Ideas

Can OKC Remain an NBA Title Contender After Injuries?

Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum Feud Rekindles Celtics Drama

TST Images: UCLA Men&#39;s Basketball Media Day

UCLA sophomore Lena Bilić to miss 2026-27 season with ACL tear

Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return for 2026

UCLA women&#39;s basketball hires former WNBA coach Noelle Quinn

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

Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas lead No. 21 USC past San Diego State in 85-68 exhibition win

TST Images: USC defeats San Diego State, 85-68, in San Diego

Hoosiers and Tar Heels Meet in Indy for Exhibition Match

For Pastner, Rebels, it&#39;s about a chemistry test

Exploring NCAA's Reaction to College Basketball Trends

NCAA Fifth-Year Eligibility and Legal Controversies

NCAA's New 5 for 5 Rule: Its Impact on College Sports

Impact of NIL on College Sports: Benefits & Balance

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

Tre Reader

#33 · ND · LB

HT/WT

6’1”, 208 lbs

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Tampa, FL, USA

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Senior

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