Texas has two wins over ranked competition. But they came by narrow margins in which its offense struggled for long stretches.
Oregon toppled USC without its starting quarterback. But the Ducks also have an ugly loss to Oklahoma State and -- potentially -- no Dante Moore for a while.
Florida and Mississippi State are ascendant in the SEC; Oklahoma and Texas A&M are tumbling.
Indiana, Miami, BYU, Notre Dame and Georgia: They all look terrific, and none has played a team that has tested them.
So, what do we know through a full month of the season? Perhaps not as much as we might hope, and odds are, a lot of narrative twists we didn't see coming are in store for October.
But with one-third of the 2026 campaign in the books, it does seem clear that USC's Lincoln Riley is in for a long few months of grumbling over his future, Arch Manning still needs to prove he's an elite-tier QB and Kamario Taylor is going to make some defensive coordinators' lives incredibly unpleasant.
There's more that we learned from September, of course, but the fun of what remains throughout the season is how much is yet to be decided. -- David Hale
1. Texas Longhorns
Previous ranking: 1
The Longhorns sometimes look sloppy. But you know what's pristine? Their résumé, which includes wins over No. 5 Ohio State at home and at No. 17 Tennessee. Inside a deafening Neyland Stadium, Texas didn't get a ton of production out of its offense. Quarterback Manning was up and down, and the running game missed Hollywood Smothers' playmaking (see: longest rush of 11 yards, by Manning). But the defense stepped up in a big way with 10 sacks and only 1.6 yards per rush allowed. The bye week comes at a great time for Steve Sarkisian's squad, as it gets a breather after a fast start to the season and a chance to reset heading into a rivalry game versus Oklahoma. -- Alex Scarborough
2. Georgia Bulldogs
Previous ranking: 4
Thanks to Oklahoma's ineptitude on offense, the Bulldogs still haven't been tested in their first four games. But there's little doubt this is one of Georgia's best defenses under Kirby Smart. In Saturday's 41-13 win over the Sooners, the Bulldogs allowed 65 rushing yards on 35 attempts and forced four turnovers. Oklahoma went 2-for-14 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth. Raylen Wilson had 11 tackles and one sack, while fellow Georgia linebacker Chris Cole registered eight tackles and a sack and also returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown. After the first month, Georgia is tied for first in the SEC in scoring defense (13.3 points) and second in run defense (50.5 yards) and total defense (232.5). After hosting Vanderbilt next week, the Bulldogs might finally be challenged when they travel to Alabama on Oct. 10. -- Mark Schlabach
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Previous ranking: 3
Purdue is not a good football team, but Boilermakers QB Ryan Browne had been off to a prolific start to the season. Against Notre Dame on Saturday though? Nothing doing. Browne threw for just 111 yards as Purdue was held out of the end zone until a late TD after the game was well in hand for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish's defense again showed it isn't going to make anything easy, racking up six sacks and nine tackles for loss. The Irish's ground game did have its best showing of the campaign (177 yards, 5.5 yards per rush, two touchdowns). But the bread and butter for Notre Dame is signal-caller CJ Carr and its elite defense. Saturday's win over Purdue showcased both at a high level. -- David Hale
4. Miami Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 5
When Miami signed QB Darian Mensah from the transfer portal, there were high expectations he would make the offense look different. Through four games, that is exactly what he has done. Mensah has completed a whopping 89% of his passes -- leading the country -- by going 94-for-106 for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns with zero interceptions. His connection with wide receiver Malachi Toney has been undeniable. Toney ranks No. 3 in the nation with 564 yards and six touchdowns. Mensah-to-Toney has become a weekly highlight reel, far different from the Hurricanes' offense with Carson Beck as the starter. -- Andrea Adelson
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
Previous ranking: 6
Jeremiah Smith is proving to be one of the best receivers in college football history. That might seem hyperbolic. But Smith is on the verge of breaking every major career receiving record at college football's most prolific receiving program this past decade. Smith has already broken Michael Jenkins' all-time Ohio State receiving yards standard and -- after putting up 12 receptions and four touchdowns on Saturday -- is closing in on Emeka Egbuka's receptions mark and Chris Olave's receiving touchdowns record. Even in a strong season for quarterbacks, Smith is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender and could even be the favorite coming out of the weekend. And even with several star receivers across the country, Smith stands clearly above the rest. -- Jake Trotter
6. Indiana Hoosiers
Previous ranking: 7
The first month showed that Indiana's path to national success will be tougher than it was in 2025, both with injuries and on-field execution. The Hoosiers are still very good but not as complete nor as dominant, as they found themselves in a Friday night scrap against three-touchdown underdog Northwestern before prevailing 29-23. IU began that contest with two penalties and finished with eight, overcame first-half shakiness from quarterback Josh Hoover and struggled to defend Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles in the second half. The Hoosiers also sustained another running back injury, this time to Turbo Richard, and they will be leaning on Lee Beebe Jr., who was excellent against Northwestern (203 rushing yards). Hoover isn't Fernando Mendoza but hasn't thrown an interception and has established passing rhythms at times. Coach Curt Cignetti wants to see improvement from right tackle Adedamola Ajani and the tight end group. -- Adam Rittenberg
7. Florida Gators
Previous ranking: 15
Lane Kiffin might have been Florida's first choice to replace Billy Napier following the 2025 season, but former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall sure looks like the right pick after four games. The Gators blasted Ole Miss 52-28 in the Swamp on Saturday, piling up 498 yards of offense, including 302 rushing. Tailback Jadan Baugh ran for 142 yards with three touchdowns, and he already has tallied 11 scores this season. Duke Clark ran for 126 yards and a TD. The Gators put up 40 points or more in each of their first four games for the time since 2001, when Steve Spurrier's high-flying offense was still rolling. The Gators have work to do on defense, as they gave up 67 points in their first two SEC games, against Auburn and Ole Miss. But there's plenty of reason to be excited after September. -- Schlabach
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous ranking: 8
Don't look now, but Keelon Russell is dealing at quarterback. The first-year starter made serious headway a week ago versus Florida State. But against South Carolina, he was even better: 21-of-27 passing for 364 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He also ran for a score. Star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams also put together another good game, finding the end zone twice. The Crimson Tide's defense was opportunistic against South Carolina in forcing two turnovers, but the rush defense left something to be desired, as it allowed 216 yards and 5.4 yards per carry. -- Scarborough
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Previous ranking: 2
Perhaps the most glaring thing that stands out after a 52-28 loss at Florida is what has happened to Ole Miss' defense in the first month of the season. Rebels coach and former D-coordinator Pete Golding pointed to the team's inability to tackle postgame -- and that has become a recurring trend. Ole Miss ranks in the bottom 10 nationally in run defense, giving up 194.8 yards per game, which is nearly 50 yards more per game than a season ago. The Rebels lost several of their top players in the portal, so that could be a contributing factor, but Golding blamed a lack of intensity in making the tackles. With an open date, this is one area that will absolutely be addressed. -- Adelson
10. BYU Cougars
Previous ranking: 10
For a team that has won 17 of its past 19 games, the Cougars haven't received the national hype they probably deserve. The obvious way to change that is with postseason success -- an opportunity that will be within grasp if they beat Notre Dame on Oct. 17. QB Bear Bachmeier's development has been a positive three games into the campaign. -- Kyle Bonagura
11. LSU Tigers
Previous ranking: 9
Despite mounting injuries, the Tigers are back on track after shutting down Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed, who had given LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker fits during former coach Brian Kelly's final two seasons. But what a difference a year makes. The Tigers dominated A&M, piling up 506 yards while holding the Aggies to 197. Tigers QB Sam Leavitt had his second 300-yard passing game of the season, despite sitting out much of the second half with an ailing hamstring. Lane Kiffin said the Tigers have played good football for all but one half of the season -- the second half against Ole Miss. And at 3-1, they feel good about where they stand after what could've been a tough stretch on paper when the schedule came out. Kiffin worries the injuries will catch up to them. But right now, they're making all the right moves to plug those holes, and the Tigers are a fully formed product. -- Dave Wilson
12. Utah Utes
Previous ranking: 16
Week 4 brought another intriguing test on paper, only for the Utes to have no trouble with Iowa State, winning 31-17 after leading 24-3 at halftime. It was a breakout game for Wayshawn Parker, who ran for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 18 carries. The Utes are firmly in the playoff conversation now and look as complete as we've seen from them in years. -- Bonagura
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Previous ranking: 21
Few teams have become must-watch quite like Mississippi State so far this season. Coach Jeff Lebby and his ascending star quarterback Taylor have flipped the Bulldogs' fortunes with a 4-0 start. They are ranked for the first time since 2023 after remaining perfect on Saturday with a 31-24 comeback win over No. 19 Missouri. Taylor led two clutch touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs' defense delivered with four consecutive stops to finish the night. A ranked Mississippi State squad hadn't taken down a top-25 opponent since the Dak Prescott era in 2014. Lebby's squad keeps gaining confidence week after week, and it has an opportunity to take the next big step and keep playing SEC spoiler with Alabama and LSU up next. -- Max Olson
14. Oregon Ducks
Previous ranking: 18
A close win over Boise State and a loss to unranked Oklahoma State put the Ducks in an unfamiliar position. In recent years, their shortcomings have only shown themselves in the playoff, where the room to criticize and overanalyze shrinks as teams simply get eliminated. Now, for the first time in the Dan Lanning era at Oregon, the early part of the season has not been smooth sailing. This is undoubtedly a very talented Oregon team, and yet despite fighting for a 41-27 win over USC in Los Angeles without star quarterback Moore, it's clear the Ducks are very much a work in progress with two new coordinators. That work and the grind of another climb back up the mountain is certainly easier when you have Dylan Raiola as a backup. For however long Moore might be out, it appears Raiola has enough firepower to keep Oregon above water. Its margin for error is still small. But if any team can walk -- no, run -- on that tightrope successfully, it might just be the Ducks. -- Paolo Uggetti
15. Iowa Hawkeyes
Previous ranking: 19
The Hawkeyes are a Big Ten title contender coming out of a stunning 20-19 victory at Michigan on the final play of the game. Iowa's offense continues to be frustrating at times. The same goes for some of the conservative decision-making. But the defense has yet to give up 20 points in a game. And Hank Brown, who emerged from the preseason quarterback competition that carried over into the regular season, made several clutch plays in the fourth quarter. Much will be made of his winning touchdown throw to Reece Vander Zee, but the 29-yard strike to tight end Addison Ostrenga is what gave the Hawkeyes a chance. Ohio State is up next in what will be one of the biggest games at Kinnick Stadium in recent memory. -- Trotter
16. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Previous ranking: 13
The Red Raiders outscored opponents by an average margin of 34.5 points per game in their wins last season. We're not seeing that same level of dominance through this team's first four outings as it works through inconsistency to find its own identity, but there's nothing wrong with being 4-0. Texas Tech survived early close calls against Oregon State and Houston as new starting QB Will Hammond and the offense dealt with growing pains and the defense dealt with injuries. Even on Saturday, in a 49-14 win over Sam Houston, Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire and his squad were staring down a frustrating seven-point lead at halftime and needing to dig deep. There's more than enough talent to work with here and little reason to doubt this team can be a serious Big 12 title contender. But the Red Raiders are a work in progress as they keep growing up, and it's fair to say they haven't been consistently playing like a top-10 team just yet. -- Olson
17. Tennessee Volunteers
Previous ranking: 14
Tennessee's defense was solid, but the offense got exposed by Texas over the weekend. Count them up: 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and only 70 rushing yards on 44 carries (1.6 average). Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon continued to do a good job of taking care of the football, but he couldn't carry the Volunteers across the finish line with 145 passing yards on 17 of 29 attempts. The Vols need to bounce back at home versus Auburn on Saturday and build some momentum on the road at Arkansas the following week before their playoff hopes are put on the line against top-10 Alabama. -- Scarborough
18. UCLA Bruins
Previous ranking: NR
Bob Chesney is working his magic already in Westwood, where UCLA is 4-0 for the first time since 2022. Be it Chesney's own doing, that of his staff and/or the players he brought over from James Madison or simply the comfortable coalescence of it all, the Bruins look the part of a team that every blue blood hates to play: aggressive, well-coached and with little to lose. The competition Chesney & Co. have faced has not exactly been the most formidable, but they have handled opponents with such ease and dominance. All of their wins, including Saturday's 54-3 walloping of Maryland on the road have been by double digits. The Bruins have scored 45 points or more three times, and though they face Oregon in two weeks and end with games against Michigan and USC, the schedule could set up for them to make some serious noise down the stretch. -- Uggetti
19. USC Trojans
Previous ranking: 11
Riley's Trojans are not lacking in talent. Offensively, they have reloaded with ease, and their pass-catching corps is packed with freshmen and is thriving despite some injuries. Defensively, the talent is theoretically there, but the cohesiveness under new coordinator Gary Patterson is still half-baked, at best. On Saturday, the D could only watch as Oregon easily scored 28 points in the second half on its way to a commanding 41-27 triumph. Beyond the X's and O's, the Trojans' failures to meet the moment during a game they had hyped up for some time just served to further highlight the gap that remains between them and the sport's elite. They might have the talent and resources to compete, but when the execution is repeatedly absent on major stages, it's difficult -- impossible, even -- to not look at both coaching and culture as inhibitors. If something doesn't change soon, Riley's seat will only get hotter. -- Uggetti
20. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Previous ranking: NR
After their slow start and 24-10 loss at Tulsa to open the season, Oklahoma State has flipped the switch and is playing like the squad everyone expected to see under first-year coach Eric Morris. The Cowboys kicked off Big 12 play Saturday night with a dominant second half for a 41-24 win at West Virginia. Drew Mestemaker threw for 389 yards and three TDs, and he received plenty of help from Wyatt Young (192 receiving yards) and Caleb Hawkins (180 rushing yards). The Pokes averaged 10.9 yards per play on offense after halftime and got three key fourth-down stops on defense to pull away. They continue to look like a team that will contend in the Big 12 title race. -- Olson
21. Boise State Broncos
Previous ranking: NR
The Broncos picked up another notable Group of 6 win at Western Michigan on Saturday, further establishing themselves as the best team outside the Power 4. The Pac-12 hasn't impressed early on, and the Broncos' path to the playoff is looking more and more manageable. Dylan Riley is a name to know: The running back has rushed for 542 yards over the past three contests. -- Bonagura
22. Duke Blue Devils
Previous ranking: NR
The Blue Devils were picked to finish 10th in the ACC preseason media poll after losing quarterback Mensah and wideout Cooper Barkate to Miami on the last day the transfer portal. So, Duke regrouped, believing the strength of its team would be the run game. Indeed, through four games, the Blue Devils have proved just that. Running back Nate Sheppard leads the country with 644 yards rushing, and Duke is 4-0 for the third time in four seasons. That is the best stretch for the program since four straight 4-0 starts from 1935 to 1938. Duke ranks in the top 20 nationally in rush defense and total defense, as the Blue Devils have identified who they want to be and how they want to approach this season. -- Adelson
23. Houston Cougars
Previous ranking: NR
The Cougars' offense will be tough to stop and will keep them in every game. On Saturday, Houston piled up 441 yards against Georgia Southern, as quarterback Conner Weigman threw four touchdowns and ran for two more scores. Weigman is completing 71.6% of his throws with 11 TDs and one pick, and the Cougars are averaging more than 40 points per game. The run game is working too, logging more than 200 yards on 4.9 yards per carry this past weekend. -- Wilson
24. Penn State Nittany Lions
Previous ranking: 12
The Nittany Lions will be kicking themselves for allowing Wisconsin to hang around on Saturday. The Badgers' 72-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to wide-open tight end Jacob Harris on third-and-13 will be the memorable play. But the Nittany Lions' offense, which sputtered at times in nonconference play, went three-and-out on four straight possessions in the second half. That gave the Badgers the chance to come back. Penn State hadn't gone three-and-out on four consecutive drives in five years, according to ESPN Research. The Lions have not been consistent enough offensively. Losing top wideout Koby Howard to an undisclosed injury hasn't made it any easier. But the offense can't go dormant if PSU hopes to bounce back in Matt Campbell's first season. -- Trotter
25. SMU Mustangs
Previous ranking: 16
Given the frustrating loss to Louisville a week earlier, perhaps a slow start for SMU was inevitable against Missouri State in Week 4. Still, it was a less-than-encouraging sign. But when Kevin Jennings is wearing a Mustangs jersey, there's no reason for too much concern against a team like the Bears. SMU won 34-24 -- with Missouri State's last touchdown coming in the final 70 seconds of action -- and Jennings became the Mustangs' all-time leading passer in the process. He finished with 464 yards passing and four total touchdowns. Jennings is now ranked second nationally in passing yards with 1,453, trailing only USC's Jayden Maiava, who has played one more game. Saturday's game was another reminder that Jennings belongs in the elite tier of QBs in the country. -- Hale