playHeather DinichSep 19, 2026, 11:59 PM ETMultiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsOne of the biggest questions heading into this season was if the SEC could snap the Big Ten’s streak of three national titles, and with the SEC earning three of the top four spots this week, it appears there’s no shortage of options to try.And Ole Miss is now one of them.With Saturday’s statement win against LSU, the Rebels’ College Football Playoff hopes have skyrocketed, but how far has LSU dropped? (Hint: not as far as Texas A&M after its loss to Kentucky).While Miami and Notre Dame remain in a tight race, and BYU and Texas Tech are still carrying the Big 12 banner, they’re all still looking up at the SEC. Based on historical knowledge and an understanding of the criteria and protocol, here’s a look at what the selection committee might do if the rankings were today.Jump to: Ranking | BracketProjecting the top 121. Texas Longhorns (3-0)Why they could be here: Committee members could still view the Longhorns’ Week 2 win against Ohio State as the best win in the country. It helped Texas that Ohio State didn’t come out flat against Kent State on Saturday and showed no signs of a letdown in a 59-3 win.
The same could be said for Texas in its win against UTSA. Texas ranks among the best in the country in ESPN’s Strength of Record metric, and in total efficiency as well, so it’s not only passing the eye test, it’s also backing it up statistically.Why they could be lower: Some selection committee members could argue that the Ole Miss win against LSU was bigger, and that the Rebels’ overall résumé is stronger because of the win against Louisville. It helped Ole Miss that Louisville beat a ranked SMU team Saturday.Need to know: If Ohio State goes on to win the Big Ten, which it is currently projected to do according to ESPN Analytics, the Longhorns’ Week 2 win could wind up being the best in the country on Selection Day.Toughest remaining game: Nov. 14 at LSU. It’s one of the most daunting venues in the sport, and ESPN’s FPI still gives Texas a 65.5% chance to win.
While the regular-season finale against Texas A&M won’t be easy, the Aggies showed Saturday they have several issues to fix if they’re going to be a factor in the SEC race.2. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)Why they could be here: Not only do the Rebels have one of the best résumés in the country, they also might have the best quarterback. The selection committee held Chambliss in high regard last year and will do it again after he accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) against LSU. The season-opening win against Louisville looks even better after the Cardinals beat a ranked SMU team Saturday.Why they could be higher: Yes, the Rebels have a case for No. 1 because two wins against ranked opponents — Louisville and LSU — is something no other team in the country can currently claim.
The win against Louisville was also a neutral-site game.Need to know: Ole Miss has the third-toughest remaining schedule in the country, according to ESPN Research. The win against LSU was critical for playoff and SEC implications, but it was also vital to give the Rebels some breathing room down the stretch. They have back-to-back road games against Florida and Vandy looming, plus still have to face Texas and Georgia.Toughest remaining game: Oct. 24 at Texas. It will be the Rebels’ third road trip in five weeks. (They have a bye week between Florida and Vandy.)3.
Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)Why they could be here: The Buckeyes would likely be the committee’s highest-ranked one-loss team because the group wouldn’t penalize them too much for one bad quarter on the road against the committee’s No. 1 team. Ohio State also didn’t let Texas beat it twice by coming out flat Saturday against Kent State. The Buckeyes showed no signs of a letdown and have avoided anything close to an upset so far. It’s also still one of the nation’s most talented teams, and the committee loves star power.
On Saturday, Heisman hopeful receiver Jeremiah Smith broke the school’s career receiving yardage record.Why they could be lower: Ohio State’s two wins have come against unranked Mid-American Conference teams Ball State and Kent State. While they have outscored those teams 115-3, the committee would consider that the defenses for Ball State and Kent State were among the worst in college football in points allowed per game.Need to know: Ohio State will play three of its four October games on the road, and all of them should be against ranked opponents (Iowa, Indiana and USC). It’s perfect timing to impress the committee, which will release its first of six rankings on Nov. 3, the Tuesday after Ohio State’s game at USC.Toughest remaining game: Oct. 17 at Indiana. Ohio State could easily be a two-loss team before the committee meets in November, and the trip to Bloomington will be critical in determining that.
If the Buckeyes lose to the defending national champs, they’ll be in must-win mode at USC but have a well-timed bye week to prepare for the Trojans.4. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)Why they could be here: As well as Georgia has played, the Bulldogs have played one of the worst schedules in the country to this point. That will obviously change as Georgia gets deeper into SEC play, but the committee does not look ahead. A dominant win against a beleaguered Arkansas team under a first-year head coach won’t sway the committee much, even if it is an SEC road win.
Still, the group likes complete teams, and Georgia has been one of the most efficient in the country through three weeks.Why they could be higher: The eye test is everything with these guys. The Bulldogs are clearly one of the best teams in the country and capable of competing for the national title. This was the first time quarterback Gunner Stockton even played the entire game because the Bulldogs have had such lopsided wins against unranked, overmatched opponents. Georgia’s defense held Arkansas to just 17 rushing yards Saturday.Need to know: What matters most is where the committee ranks an opponent heading into Selection Day, so if Georgia beats Oklahoma and ultimately helps knock the Sooners out of the committee’s top 25, it will impact Georgia’s résumé.
It won’t matter, though, if Georgia locks up a bid with the SEC title.Toughest remaining game: Oct. 10 at Alabama. ESPN’s FPI gives Georgia at least a 50% chance to win each of its remaining games, but this one is the closest to a coin toss at 53.6%.5. Miami Hurricanes (3-0)Why they could be here: The committee would like that the Canes have won two of three games on the road, including 2,500 miles away at Stanford in the season opener. They were finally tested, though, on Friday at Wake Forest.
The offense was slowed for the first time all season, but the defense came through. The committee members are going hold quarterback Darian Mensah in high regard, and on Friday he completed his first 24 passes to set an ACC record for consecutive completions.Why they could be lower: Miami hasn’t played a ranked opponent yet.Need to know: The committee considers injuries to key players as part of its evaluations, and the Canes are monitoring star receiver Malachi Toney, who limped off the field against Wake Forest, and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was also banged up. “They’re going to be evaluated,” coach Mario Cristobal said after the game. “We’ll find out exactly where they’re at once we get back and get them with the docs and assess them more.” Miami should be a heavy favorite in its upcoming home game against Central Michigan before heading to Clemson on Oct. 3.Toughest remaining game: Nov. 7 at Notre Dame.
The two national title contenders should both be unbeaten when they meet in South Bend for a game the committee will be watching closely.6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0)Why they could be here: The Irish are 2-0 against the Big Ten, which is more than the Big Ten’s top contenders can claim to this point. While wins against unranked Wisconsin an
