BYU is making waves in college football, moving up to No. 7 in The Athletic 134 ranking despite being outside the top 10 in the AP and Coaches polls. The Cougars are undefeated at 7-0, with impressive wins against Kansas State and SMU. Despite playing some close games, BYU’s defense is now ranked 13th in yards per play allowed, showing their legitimacy as contenders.
Looking ahead, BYU has a manageable second half of the schedule, with no games against Iowa State, whom they’ve already beaten, or Colorado. If the Big 12 wants to get two teams into the College Football Playoff, BYU is positioned to be one of them.
With surprises like Miami jumping Ohio State, Tennessee beating Alabama, and Indiana dominating Nebraska, the rankings have seen some shake-ups. Illinois has rejoined the top 25 after a win against Michigan, while Syracuse, UNLV, South Carolina, and others have made big jumps.
Teams like Colorado, Florida, and Virginia Tech have also improved their standings, while USC and Rutgers have seen declines. New Mexico, UTSA, and UTEP have moved up in the rankings after recent wins, leaving only two winless teams in the FBS.
The Athletic 134 series is proudly sponsored by Allstate, with full editorial independence. Teams in the Power 4 conferences are closely bunched together in the rankings, setting the stage for an exciting second half of the season.
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