College Football Rankings: Chaos, Upsets Continue And 4 New Teams Join The Top 25
The 2026 college football season has seen unprecedented parity, with top-ranked teams suffering frequent upsets. UCLA remains one of the few undefeated programs as the sport prepares for a 12-team playoff.
Why it matters
The increased competitiveness and the expanded playoff format are fundamentally changing the landscape and stakes of collegiate athletics.
Back in July, I walked up closely to the table where UCLA coach Bob Chesney sat. The occasion was Big Ten media days, and we were still all weeks away from the start of this now-memorable 2026 season when I told Chesney my most closely held belief about the modern game: You’re about to watch the most competitive season of college football ever. It has never been harder to win than it is in 2026. "I agree with you," he said. "Ultimately," he said, "the margins are thin, and that’s what you’re pointing toward. It’s not easy to be in a position where you just walk out and expect to win a football game. Doesn’t really happen anymore in my mind." Fittingly, UCLA is one of just three undefeated programs left.
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