Week 9 is complete, and Georgia takes over the top spot in my 2026 FBS power ratings. Miami remains first in Elo and adjusted offense. Texas moves ahead of Indiana on adjusted defense, while Kentucky retains the wins-above-average lead.
This edition uses the Week 9 reports generated November 1 at 6:49 a.m. Eastern. Movement is compared with last week’s rankings.
FBS Power Ratings Top 25
Georgia moves from fifth to first at 139.764, with a 7–1 record and a 328–119 scoring margin. Miami slips to second at 139.230 despite improving to 8–0. Alabama, LSU and Texas complete the top five.
| Rank | School | W | L | T | PF | PA | Power | SOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Georgia |
7 | 1 | 0 | 328 | 119 | 139.764 | 127.718 |
| 2 |  Miami (FL) |
8 | 0 | 0 | 381 | 142 | 139.230 | 125.673 |
| 3 |  Alabama |
6 | 2 | 0 | 306 | 170 | 139.023 | 133.543 |
| 4 |  LSU |
6 | 2 | 0 | 321 | 128 | 138.944 | 131.246 |
| 5 |  Texas |
6 | 2 | 0 | 246 | 137 | 138.872 | 134.079 |
| 6 |  Kentucky |
7 | 1 | 0 | 263 | 198 | 138.765 | 131.867 |
| 7 |  Ole Miss |
6 | 2 | 0 | 297 | 192 | 138.417 | 132.226 |
| 8 |  Utah |
8 | 0 | 0 | 311 | 127 | 137.521 | 126.836 |
| 9 |  UCLA |
8 | 0 | 0 | 268 | 107 | 137.204 | 126.297 |
| 10 |  Tennessee |
6 | 2 | 0 | 258 | 130 | 137.186 | 128.521 |
| 11 |  South Carolina |
5 | 3 | 0 | 295 | 202 | 136.766 | 130.115 |
| 12 |  Notre Dame |
7 | 1 | 0 | 323 | 107 | 136.459 | 127.330 |
| 13 |  Florida |
5 | 3 | 0 | 285 | 225 | 136.296 | 132.778 |
| 14 |  Indiana |
8 | 1 | 0 | 292 | 112 | 136.056 | 125.900 |
| 15 |  Ohio State |
6 | 2 | 0 | 293 | 124 | 135.907 | 128.433 |
| 16 |  Wake Forest |
7 | 1 | 0 | 313 | 143 | 135.708 | 127.116 |
| 17 |  Missouri |
6 | 2 | 0 | 252 | 147 | 135.307 | 128.149 |
| 18 |  BYU |
7 | 1 | 0 | 259 | 150 | 135.282 | 127.202 |
| 19 |  Mississippi State |
4 | 4 | 0 | 213 | 225 | 134.591 | 133.802 |
| 20 |  Oklahoma |
4 | 4 | 0 | 176 | 166 | 134.348 | 132.811 |
| 21 |  Iowa |
6 | 2 | 0 | 226 | 100 | 134.199 | 127.622 |
| 22 |  Auburn |
4 | 4 | 0 | 193 | 214 | 134.092 | 133.458 |
| 23 |  Texas Tech |
7 | 1 | 0 | 285 | 169 | 134.054 | 125.854 |
| 24 |  Arizona |
6 | 2 | 0 | 279 | 151 | 133.365 | 126.400 |
| 25 |  Houston |
6 | 2 | 0 | 288 | 168 | 132.829 | 126.744 |
Georgia leads Miami by 0.534 rating points. Alabama and LSU remain close behind, separated by just 0.079. These ratings account for opposition across the schedule, so an unbeaten record does not automatically secure the top spot.
FBS Elo Ratings Top 25
Miami retains the Elo lead at 1708.516, while Georgia rises from eighth to second at 1705.117. LSU is third, followed by Texas and Alabama.
| Rank | School | W | L | T | PF | PA | ELO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami (FL) |
8 | 0 | 0 | 381 | 142 | 1708.516 |
| 2 | Georgia |
7 | 1 | 0 | 328 | 119 | 1705.117 |
| 3 | LSU |
6 | 2 | 0 | 321 | 128 | 1702.747 |
| 4 | Texas |
6 | 2 | 0 | 246 | 137 | 1702.011 |
| 5 | Alabama |
6 | 2 | 0 | 306 | 170 | 1701.854 |
| 6 | Kentucky |
7 | 1 | 0 | 263 | 198 | 1701.236 |
| 7 | Ole Miss |
6 | 2 | 0 | 297 | 192 | 1699.489 |
| 8 | Utah |
8 | 0 | 0 | 311 | 127 | 1697.560 |
| 9 | UCLA |
8 | 0 | 0 | 268 | 107 | 1695.988 |
| 10 | Notre Dame |
7 | 1 | 0 | 323 | 107 | 1692.825 |
| 11 | Tennessee |
6 | 2 | 0 | 258 | 130 | 1691.481 |
| 12 | South Carolina |
5 | 3 | 0 | 295 | 202 | 1689.009 |
| 13 | Indiana |
8 | 1 | 0 | 292 | 112 | 1688.578 |
| 14 | Ohio State |
6 | 2 | 0 | 293 | 124 | 1688.227 |
| 15 | Wake Forest |
7 | 1 | 0 | 313 | 143 | 1687.849 |
| 16 | Florida |
5 | 3 | 0 | 285 | 225 | 1687.576 |
| 17 | BYU |
7 | 1 | 0 | 259 | 150 | 1684.939 |
| 18 | Missouri |
6 | 2 | 0 | 252 | 147 | 1682.808 |
| 19 | Texas Tech |
7 | 1 | 0 | 285 | 169 | 1679.060 |
| 20 | Iowa |
6 | 2 | 0 | 226 | 100 | 1677.865 |
| 21 | Mississippi State |
4 | 4 | 0 | 213 | 225 | 1677.723 |
| 22 | Oklahoma |
4 | 4 | 0 | 176 | 166 | 1676.257 |
| 23 | Arizona |
6 | 2 | 0 | 279 | 151 | 1675.129 |
| 24 | Auburn |
4 | 4 | 0 | 193 | 214 | 1674.604 |
| 25 | Houston |
6 | 2 | 0 | 288 | 168 | 1672.917 |
The two systems now reverse Georgia and Miami at the top. Texas is fourth in Elo and fifth in power, while LSU is third in Elo and fourth in power. Both lists place the same five teams at the top, in different orders.
FBS Adjusted Offense Top 25
Miami remains first in adjusted offense at 18.507, ahead of Alabama at 15.982. LSU climbs from sixth to third, followed by Ohio State and Notre Dame. These are opponent-adjusted scoring values, rather than raw points per game.
| Rank | School | Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami (FL) |
18.507 |
| 2 | Alabama |
15.982 |
| 3 | LSU |
13.854 |
| 4 | Ohio State |
13.131 |
| 5 | Notre Dame |
13.027 |
| 6 |  North Texas |
12.418 |
| 7 | Ole Miss |
12.164 |
| 8 |  Boise State |
12.153 |
| 9 | South Carolina |
11.827 |
| 10 |  Oklahoma State |
11.738 |
| 11 |  USC |
11.511 |
| 12 | Georgia |
11.129 |
| 13 |  Louisville |
10.837 |
| 14 | Florida |
10.238 |
| 15 |  Memphis |
9.997 |
| 16 | Texas Tech |
9.690 |
| 17 |  Purdue |
9.568 |
| 18 | Wake Forest |
9.158 |
| 19 |  West Virginia |
8.830 |
| 20 | Utah |
8.810 |
| 21 |  Oregon State |
8.289 |
| 22 |  Liberty |
8.119 |
| 23 |  Nebraska |
8.000 |
| 24 |  James Madison |
7.923 |
| 25 |  Northwestern |
7.837 |
Miami leads Alabama by 2.525. North Texas moves from eighth to sixth, while Ohio State improves from fifth to fourth. LSU combines the No. 3 offense with the No. 4 defense.
FBS Adjusted Defense Top 25
Texas takes over the adjusted defense lead at 16.491, narrowly ahead of Indiana at 16.426. TCU, LSU and Wisconsin complete the top five. Higher values are better: this measure rewards holding opponents below their scoring benchmark.
| Rank | School | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas |
16.491 |
| 2 | Indiana |
16.426 |
| 3 |  TCU |
13.952 |
| 4 | LSU |
12.966 |
| 5 |  Wisconsin |
11.671 |
| 6 | Liberty |
11.500 |
| 7 | Notre Dame |
11.363 |
| 8 | UCLA |
11.167 |
| 9 | Tennessee |
11.068 |
| 10 | Iowa |
11.048 |
| 11 | Ohio State |
10.442 |
| 12 |  Oregon |
10.093 |
| 13 | Alabama |
9.935 |
| 14 | Houston |
9.738 |
| 15 | Georgia |
9.660 |
| 16 |  North Dakota State |
9.631 |
| 17 | Wake Forest |
9.503 |
| 18 | BYU |
9.459 |
| 19 | Missouri |
9.310 |
| 20 |  South Florida |
8.782 |
| 21 | Utah |
8.738 |
| 22 |  Utah State |
8.612 |
| 23 | Nebraska |
8.241 |
| 24 |  Duke |
8.235 |
| 25 | Oklahoma |
8.128 |
Just 0.065 separates Texas and Indiana. TCU rises from fourth to third, LSU moves from fifth to fourth, and Liberty climbs from ninth to sixth. Texas also ranks fifth in power and fourth in Elo.
FBS Wins Above Average Top 25
Kentucky remains first in wins above average at 4.637. Texas rises from fourth to second at 4.522, and Miami moves from fifth to third at 4.491. Utah and Alabama complete the top five.
| Rank | School | GP | W | Expected W (No HFA) | Expected W (HFA) | WAA (No HFA) | WAA (HFA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky |
8 | 7 | 2.170 | 2.363 | 4.830 | 4.637 |
| 2 | Texas |
8 | 6 | 1.141 | 1.478 | 4.859 | 4.522 |
| 3 | Miami (FL) |
8 | 8 | 3.540 | 3.509 | 4.460 | 4.491 |
| 4 | Utah |
8 | 8 | 3.634 | 3.772 | 4.366 | 4.228 |
| 5 | Alabama |
8 | 6 | 1.564 | 1.814 | 4.436 | 4.186 |
| 6 | Ole Miss |
8 | 6 | 1.826 | 1.914 | 4.174 | 4.086 |
| 7 | Georgia |
8 | 7 | 2.956 | 3.151 | 4.044 | 3.849 |
| 8 | Indiana |
9 | 8 | 4.062 | 4.177 | 3.938 | 3.823 |
| 9 | UCLA |
8 | 8 | 4.017 | 4.187 | 3.983 | 3.813 |
| 10 | LSU |
8 | 6 | 1.969 | 2.245 | 4.031 | 3.755 |
| 11 | BYU |
8 | 7 | 3.247 | 3.283 | 3.753 | 3.717 |
| 12 | Wake Forest |
8 | 7 | 3.571 | 3.445 | 3.429 | 3.555 |
| 13 | Notre Dame |
8 | 7 | 3.541 | 3.591 | 3.459 | 3.409 |
| 14 | Texas Tech |
8 | 7 | 3.803 | 3.788 | 3.197 | 3.212 |
| 15 | Missouri |
8 | 6 | 3.006 | 2.924 | 2.994 | 3.076 |
| 16 | USC |
9 | 7 | 3.742 | 3.965 | 3.258 | 3.035 |
| 17 | Tennessee |
8 | 6 | 3.093 | 2.983 | 2.907 | 3.017 |
| 18 | Florida |
8 | 5 | 1.927 | 2.000 | 3.073 | 3.000 |
| 19 | Iowa |
8 | 6 | 3.081 | 3.100 | 2.919 | 2.900 |
| 20 | South Carolina |
8 | 5 | 2.265 | 2.318 | 2.735 | 2.682 |
| 21 | Ohio State |
8 | 6 | 3.233 | 3.346 | 2.767 | 2.654 |
| 22 | Houston |
8 | 6 | 3.375 | 3.421 | 2.625 | 2.579 |
| 23 | Mississippi State |
8 | 4 | 1.422 | 1.454 | 2.578 | 2.546 |
| 24 | Oregon |
8 | 5 | 2.404 | 2.508 | 2.596 | 2.492 |
| 25 | Boise State |
8 | 7 | 4.678 | 4.721 | 2.322 | 2.279 |
This measure compares actual wins with the wins an average FBS team would be expected to earn against the same schedule. Expected wins come from 25,000 Monte Carlo simulations, and the table is ranked with home-field advantage included. Kentucky has seven wins against an expected 2.363. Texas has six wins against an expected 1.478, while Miami has eight against an expected 3.509. The schedule adjustment explains why teams with losses can rank ahead of unbeaten teams.
Strength of Schedule Through Week 9
These lists use the SOS column from the November 1 FBS power ratings. They measure schedules played through Week 9, not remaining schedules. Higher values indicate tougher opposition, and the values can change as more results come in.
Top 5 Toughest Schedules
| Rank | School | Record | Power Rank | SOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas |
6–2 | 5 | 134.079 |
| 2 | Mississippi State |
4–4 | 19 | 133.802 |
| 3 | Alabama |
6–2 | 3 | 133.543 |
| 4 | Auburn |
4–4 | 22 | 133.458 |
| 5 | Oklahoma |
4–4 | 20 | 132.811 |
Texas has the toughest schedule played at 134.079, with a 6–2 record and a power ranking of No. 5.
Top 5 Easiest Schedules
| Rank | School | Record | Power Rank | SOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Massachusetts |
4–4 | 122 | 116.728 |
| 2 | Liberty |
7–1 | 75 | 117.970 |
| 3 |  New Mexico State |
3–5 | 131 | 118.366 |
| 4 | CSU-Sacramento | 2–7 | 135 | 118.472 |
| 5 |  New Mexico |
7–1 | 54 | 118.675 |
Massachusetts has the easiest schedule played at 116.728, with a 4–4 record and a power ranking of No. 122.
All rankings can be found on the 2026 FBS rankings page.