The 2026 season has started in a much better fashion than 2025 did for the Texas Longhorns. Of course, we're just one game into the year, but the Horns can already boast a win, and it was a 52-point victory at that.
However, Texas was already a top-five team in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, and the other top four teams also won their first games of the year.
Even after walloping the Texas State Bobcats 59-2, will the Longhorns see any upward movement in the AP Poll heading into Week 2?
My immediate thought is... barely, if any at all. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs also demolished their opponents. Notre Dame handled business to beat Wisconsin, and the Oregon Ducks, who were the No. 2 team heading into kickoff, eked out a win over Boise State, one of the best G5 teams out there.
Will the Oregon Ducks slip out of top 10 after eking out Week 1 win?
So, it shouldn't be a huge surprise if we see the top five remain almost identical to what the AP voters first believed it should be, with the Ducks possibly dropping a few spots and Texas possibly gaining one position because of it.
Not to mention that the Miami Hurricanes, who were 7 in the preseason poll, absolutely obliterated the Stanford Cardinal and already looked like a team that could return to the CFP.
- Ohio State Buckeyes, 56-3 win over Ball State
- Georgia Bulldogs, 63-3 win over Tennessee State
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 41-13 win over Wisconsin
- Texas Longhorns, 59-7 win over Texas State
- Miami Hurricanes, 45-6 win over Stanford
- Indiana Hoosiers, 52-16 win over North Texas
- Oregon Ducks, 34-27 win over Boise State
- Texas A&M Aggies, 50-0 win over Missouri State
- Ole Miss Rebels, 41-38 win over Louisville
- Oklahoma Sooners, 51-0 win over UTEP
The defending National Champion Indiana Hoosiers put the beatdown on North Texas, kicking off their title defense in resounding fashion.
So, we could easily see Texas move up to No. 4, with the Canes and Hoosiers also moving up a spot or two, and the Ducks dropping a few places down the rankings.
Even with their shutout victories over FBS opponents, the Texas A&M Aggies and Oklahoma Sooners likely won't see any movement in their current ranking. Plus, as a Texas fan, why would I ever believe they deserve to be higher in the Top 25?
No. 9 Ole Miss's three- point victory over the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals was far from impressive enough to earn them a better spot in the top 10 just yet, but it was still the first ranked matchup of the season.
11. LSU Tigers, 51-10 win over Clemson (unless ole miss loses)
12. Alabama Crimson Tide, 48-10 win over ECU
13. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 33-10 win over Abilene Christian
14. BYU Cougars, 63-7 win over Utah Tech
15. USC Trojans, 39-0 win over Fresno State
The next five teams are fairly straightforward, with the only change coming between No. 12 and No. 13. The Texas Tech Red Raiders entered the season ranked 12th, but a mediocre showing against Abilene Christian will likely drop them a spot, while originally-No. 13 Alabama dominated the ECU Pirates and should move up a spot.
How far will Michigan fall in AP Top 25 after "Bail Mary" victory?
If you haven't heard about it yet, go look up clips of the "No. 16" Michigan Wolverines' Hail Mary victory over the Western Michigan Broncos. Simply put, time should have expired, and UMich should have lost. So, yes, the Wolverines are going to drop pretty far in this ranking.
16. Penn State Nittany Lions, 45-0 win over Marshall
17. Washington Huskies, 24-1 win over Washington State
18. SMU Mustangs, TBD -- Week 1 game vs. Florida State at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday, Sept. 7
19. Tennessee Volunteers, 56-9 win over Furman
20. Utah Utes, 66-14 win over Idaho
The Penn State Nittany Lions looked like the powerhouse they should be under new head coach Matt Campbell, the Tennessee Volunteers flexed their usual early-season dominance, and the Utah Utes easily drubbed the Idaho Vandals.
The Huskies looked pretty mediocre on offense, but still earned a win over their in-state rivals, the Washington State Cougars, so while they should be leapfrogged by PSU, they won't see a drop in ranking.
Of course, if SMU loses, this entire ranking could be tossed out the window or lit on fire, depending on how dramatic you're feeling.
Who wil be the first team to fall outside of the Top 25?
While Louisville moves up even with the loss to Ole Miss, and the Wolverines have a fall from grace even after a mediocre win over Western Michigan, there will be no new teams in the AP Top 25 Poll following Week 2.
21. Louisville Cardinals, 38-41 loss to Ole Miss
22. Iowa Hawkeyes, 40-0 win over Northern Illinois
23. Michigan Wolverines, 13-12 win over Western Michigan
24. Houston Cougars, 33-20 win over Oregon State
25. Missouri Tigers, 54-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff
That also means that there will be no teams leaving the AP Top 25 Poll after Week 1.
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