By Habari Sports | October 18, 2026
Miami has reached No. 1 in the FWAA-NFF Super 16 rankings for the first time in the poll’s history, leading a reshuffled Week 7 field following several significant results.
The Hurricanes received 35 of 56 first-place votes after defeating Florida State 43–35 in double overtime at home. Miami becomes the 13th different program to hold the poll’s top spot.
Ohio State, BYU and Georgia round out the top four in the October 18 rankings, while Iowa and Houston enter the field.
Ohio State and BYU Move Up
Ohio State climbed two positions to No. 2 after earning a 19–15 road victory over Indiana. Despite the loss, the Hoosiers remained at No. 5.
BYU made the biggest climb among the top four, jumping five places to No. 3 following a 28–24 home victory over Notre Dame. The ranking is the Cougars’ highest in the poll’s history.
Notre Dame dropped four positions to No. 6.
Georgia fell three spots to No. 4 after a 27–24 home loss to Auburn. Alabama also suffered a substantial slide, dropping seven places to No. 13 following a 16-point defeat at Tennessee.
UCLA Reaches Highest Position Since 2022
UCLA checked in at No. 9, matching its highest position since November 6, 2022, when the Bruins also held the ninth spot.
Texas Tech ranks seventh, followed by Ole Miss at No. 8. Tennessee completes the top 10, with Utah, Kentucky, Alabama and USC occupying Nos. 11 through 14.
Missouri and Texas dropped out after Week 7 losses, opening places for No. 15 Iowa and No. 16 Houston.
Houston’s appearance marks its first Super 16 ranking since October 16, 2016, when the Cougars were No. 11.
SEC and Big Ten Lead Conference Representation
The SEC and Big Ten each placed five teams in this week’s rankings. The Big 12 follows with four, its largest representation since September 17, 2018.
The ACC and FBS Independents each have one representative.
FWAA-NFF Super 16: Week 7
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Miami (FL) |
| 2 | Ohio State |
| 3 | BYU |
| 4 | Georgia |
| 5 | Indiana |
| 6 | Notre Dame |
| 7 | Texas Tech |
| 8 | Ole Miss |
| 9 | UCLA |
| 10 | Tennessee |
| 11 | Utah |
| 12 | Kentucky |
| 13 | Alabama |
| 14 | USC |
| 15 | Iowa |
| 16 | Houston |
Houston-Utah Highlights Next Week’s Schedule
Newly ranked Houston will immediately face a test of its standing when it visits No. 11 Utah in the only matchup between two teams in this week’s Super 16.
Miami will host Pitt in its first game as the poll’s top-ranked team, while BYU travels to UCF. Indiana visits Michigan, and Ole Miss heads to Texas, which will have an opportunity to respond after falling out of the rankings.
Ohio State, Georgia, and Notre Dame are idle.
| Ranked Team | Next Matchup |
|---|---|
| No. 1 Miami (FL) | vs. Pitt |
| No. 2 Ohio State | Idle |
| No. 3 BYU | at UCF |
| No. 4 Georgia | Idle |
| No. 5 Indiana | at Michigan |
| No. 6 Notre Dame | Idle |
| No. 7 Texas Tech | at Cincinnati |
| No. 8 Ole Miss | at Texas |
| No. 9 UCLA | vs. Michigan State |
| No. 10 Tennessee | at South Carolina |
| No. 11 Utah | vs. No. 16 Houston |
| No. 12 Kentucky | vs. Vanderbilt |
| No. 13 Alabama | vs. Texas A&M |
| No. 14 USC | at Wisconsin |
| No. 15 Iowa | at Minnesota |
| No. 16 Houston | at No. 11 Utah |
Source: FWAA-NFF Super 16 Week 7 release supplied to Habari Sports.
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