College Football Rankings: Miami Leads, UCLA Rises

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Miami Leads as Strength of Schedule Shapes the College Football Standings

Miami remains at number one after a dominant win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana and Notre Dame each have one loss, while UCLA’s 7-0 record has sparked questions about why the team sits below several 6-1 programs.

The explanation comes down to strength of schedule. Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana and Notre Dame lost to highly ranked opponents, while UCLA’s biggest win came against Oregon. A victory over Michigan State adds to UCLA’s record, but it was not described as a quality win.

Despite its lower position, UCLA looks strong, and its game against USC is expected to be fantastic. Freshman kicker Mateo Orozco has also impressed after coming from an LAFC soccer background.

If UCLA remains undefeated, it should rise in the rankings over the next few weeks. Another major upcoming matchup is Miami against Notre Dame. Both teams are expected to reach the playoffs, but the winner could gain significant momentum toward the championship game.

Utah is also undefeated after beating BYU. Kentucky’s position at number nine is notable because the program is not considered a perennial powerhouse and has usually been near the bottom of the SEC. Wake Forest at 6-1 was also identified as a surprise.

Ole Miss sits in 12th after losing to Texas. Texas entered the season at number one, but Archie Manning’s season has fallen well short of expectations.

College football has greater parity this year because of NIL, which stands for name, image and likeness. The system has made college sports feel more professional and helped programs such as Indiana compete at a higher level. Indiana, which won the championship last year, had previously spent much of its time near the bottom of the Big 10 and is now benefiting from Mark Cuban money.