By Michael Frere
Fickle. Bias. Pseudoscientific. You may hear these words and think, “What? Why would I ever trust an article like that.” But over at Mikey’s College Football Minute, we think these are the best possible values a sports journalist can hold. Just kidding! Mostly. Welcome to Week 2 of your favorite WRGW CFB column! This week proved to be a weird one, so let this be your recap instead of those nerds over at the Associated Press!
Side note: AP, if you are reading this I am only joking and would actually love a job offer. Please email me.
Game of the Week: Iowa vs Michigan
What a game for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The program’s first ranked road win since 2021, and against Michigan of all teams. After a missed Iowa field goal attempt in the late 4th quarter, I really thought that the Wolverines had this game all but won. But that classic Hawkeye defense held strong and kept Iowa in this game. Credit where credit’s due, Iowa’s offense also did their part. They were able to drive 91 yards on the last drive and score a beautiful toe-tap touchdown, which is maybe the least Iowa thing ever. Above all else, I’m happy that Michigan got their karma after the Western Michigan game. As an Iowa native, this game brought me a lot of joy.
Hawkeyes receiver Reese Vander-Zee catches the game winning touchdown (photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Mikey’s Ranking:
1. Texas (4-0), –
This UT team needs to get it together. Based on resume alone, they are far and away the best team in the country. But watching these games tell a completely different story. The Longhorn’s defense continues to shine as one of, if not the, best in the nation. Edge Colin Simmons had a stand out, recording half of UTs 10 sacks alone and an incredible celebration. The Arch Manning lead offense however, is still incredibly inconsistent. The talent is there, but it just can’t come together in a cohesive way. Arch has to play better, the o-line has to show up, and the running back room needs to help out. However, even if UT looks sloppy, good teams find a way to win even if it’s ugly. UT has a brutal schedule this year, so let’s see if their luck holds up.
2. Georgia (4-0), –
The story of UGA this year has remained the same: unproven. They haven’t gotten into any real SEC play and won’t for a while. The Bulldog defense played one of their best games this season, getting 4 turnovers and holding Oklahoma to 65 rushing yards. The offense however left me a little confused. Gunner Stockton has gotten the job done, but really hasn’t left a huge impact against tougher SEC defenses. UGA still lacks a big win to propel them into the number one spot, but they’re doing what they need to. Indiana did the same thing last year and look where it got them.
3. Ohio State (3-1), +1
Talent wise, this Ohio State team is probably the best in the country. There have been some coaching issues, but OSU’s offense is terrifying when it’s running right, especially after the UT loss. Having the consensus best WR in college football is one ginormous part of it, but Julian Sayin is getting the ball where it needs to be and the OSU backfield is proving every week they’re a force to be reckoned with. However, there is one big defensive concern that OSU has to polish up before serious B10 play: the run defense . It’s the biggest fault for this juggernaut of an OSU team, but even then they’ve been able to get the job done.
4. Miami (4-0), +3
With the Wake Forest win against Louisville, this Miami team builds a stronger resume, which will be important to make this weak schedule look better. The Hurricanes have, in my opinion, the second best offense in college football. Darian Mensah continued his phenomenal season, bringing his season stats to 1,211 yards, 14 touch downs, and 0 interceptions. Mensah has been the key to opening up this Miami offense to be one of the most explosive in football. Miami The run defense from Miami has been stifling, with teams only averaging 56 yards on the ground. Despite this, the Canes face an uphill battle keeping higher rankings with a weak schedule.
5. Alabama (4-0), +3
Bama has continued a streak of great wins. Kentucky being ranked now really helps the away win 2 weeks ago look even better. Keelon Russell has continued his streak of incredible QB play, recording his best game this season against South Carolina this week–21/27, 365 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 picks. Alabama has a serious chance at competing for a title once again, establishing themselves as one of the most efficient teams in the nation while boasting the 3rd hardest schedule.
6. Notre Dame (4-0), –
This Notre Dame team has still left me unimpressed. They continue to beat teams the way they should: dominance. However, Notre Dame hasn’t played anyone that proves to be real threats. They do have the slight edge in the rankings as they’ve put away every game, but the Irish need to play a real team to make a significant jump in the rankings. CJ Carr keeps this offense alive, recording 237 yards and 4 total touchdowns. The run game is still just meh, the loss of RB duo Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price has really put a hamper on the once incredible Fighting Irish backfield. The defense did great as they should have, but it’s not hard to beat a team whose best player is their punter.
NFL, keep an eye on Boilermaker punter Dylan Drennan, he absolutely showed out this week with 313 punt yards and the longest punt of the 2026 season at 78 yards.
7. Florida (4-0), NR
What. A. Win. Florida absolutely exposed the Ole Miss defense this week. The Gators cruised over the Rebels, rushing for 302 yards–with 2 different running backs hitting 100+ yards–and 6 touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Philo also did what he needed to, throwing for 196 yards and 2 all purpose touchdowns–one through the air and one on the ground. The Florida defense faced one of its biggest challenges this week, but they handled business and kept one of the best offenses in CFB to only 28 points. UF’s biggest issue will be keeping up this moment through this gauntlet of a season, with Mizzou coming up next week and then UT and Georgia back to back on October 17th and 31st. I smell serious title contention in the water for the Gators if they close this season at least 10-2.
8. Indiana (4-0), -3
Indiana had a very sloppy win this week. Against a team like Northwestern, IU should have put the game away without any issues. The Wildcats aren’t a bad team by any means, but a 6 point nail biter wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Indiana’s average QB play was saved by Lee Beebe Jr’s 203 yards on the ground, a career high for the senior running back. It’s hard to keep this Hoosier team in the top 5 when they haven’t had any statement wins and almost lost this gimme B10 opener. The OSU matchup on October 17th will be the first big game for Indiana, but until then big wins against Rutgers and Nebraska won’t help the Hoosiers’ case to move up in the rankings.
9. Ole Miss (3-1), -6
I have two words for the Ole Miss Rebels this week: what a stinker. Ranking Ole Miss has proven to be very hard; the players are incredible but the resume just keeps getting weaker and weaker. Missing running back Kewan Lacy definitely hurt the Rebels, but the talent everywhere else in the offense should have been enough to keep this game close. After incredible performances from Jeremiah Smith and Darian Mensah, even Trinidad Chambliss’ Heisman hopes got dimmer this Saturday. Ole Miss can recover. All the pieces for success are there. But, facing UGA and UT later in the season could kill any playoff hope this former favorite has.
10. LSU (3-1), -1
After last week’s loss, LSU recovered and thrashed the Aggies. There are some issues with this team, but I think they could make a splash in the SEC if they polish everything up. The LSU defense showed how legit they are, but injury to star LB Whit Weeks is a big blow you can’t afford going into SEC play. Sam Leavitt looked more settled this week, throwing for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Tigers showed some good depth in the backfield, especially with back-up QB Landen Clark and his two touchdowns. I want to see more from LSU, but overall they keep their playoff hopes alive and stay in my top 10.
Still Too Low: UCLA and the ACC
Some great football teams finally made it to the Top 25 this week, like UCLA and Kentucky. However, I really don’t understand why UCLA is only ranked 23. This team has been playing absolutely incredible. Back to back weeks of 50+ points against Power 4 opponents is something to respect, even if it’s only Purdue and Maryland. The defense has been playing great, with 4 interceptions and 7 tackles for loss while keeping Maryland to only 3 points. The Bruins play a weaker schedule, but their resume should put them above teams like SMU or Boise State.
The ACC arguably has four teams that make a great argument for the Top 25–Duke, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech. I understand the ACC is a weaker Power 4 conference, but these teams have been outclassing teams the same way every SEC and B10 team has. I think Wake Forest especially makes a great case for Top 25 consideration after a close loss to Miami and the road upset against Louisville this week. The AP will always bias the SEC and the top dogs of the B10, but I think these ACC teams deserve some respect from AP and college football pundits. If you have time, watch the ACC this year. It should be an incredible race to see who snags the ACC title.
Week 5 Game to Watch: Alabama vs Mississippi State
I haven’t gotten to write about Miss State, but they are such a good football team. If you haven’t been able to watch any Bulldog football, please tune in this week. Miss State is quietly building up an underdog in the SEC led by phenom QB Kamario Taylor. I think Bama should be a test of how well this Miss State team performs against the real top dogs of CFB.
Mikey’s Letter to the (probable) Biggest Frauds of 2026:
The Michigan Wolverines. I never thought in my life you would let the Iowa Hawkeyes into the Big House just to lose, off a 91 yard drive nonetheless. The offensive laughing stock of the B10 showed up to the largest stadium in America and silenced it. You have ruined my dreams of college football greatness so many times. Seeing you lose in such heart breaking fashion, without being able to add just one more play to the game, makes me so happy. Iowa, thank you. But who knows, maybe you’ll somehow beat Ohio State. I can only hope the game ends in a tie and both teams disband their college football programs.
