The Athletic 134: BYU Climbs to No. 7 in College Football Rankings
Editor’s note: The Athletic 134 is a weekly ranking of all FBS college football teams.
BYU is making waves in the college football world with their undefeated record and impressive wins over Kansas State and SMU. Despite their success, they have been overlooked in the AP and Coaches polls, with both rankings placing them outside the top 10. However, in this week’s edition of The Athletic 134, BYU has surged to No. 7.
It’s surprising that BYU hasn’t received more recognition for their achievements. With a perfect 7-0 record and victories over strong opponents, BYU’s performance speaks for itself. Their defense, currently ranked 13th in yards per play allowed, has been a standout feature of their success this season.
Looking ahead, BYU has a favorable second-half schedule with no matchups against Iowa State, whom they have already defeated. If the Big 12 aims to secure two teams in the College Football Playoff, BYU appears to be a strong contender for one of those spots.
The recent rankings shakeup has seen Georgia rise to No. 2 after a crucial win against Texas, while Miami has surpassed Ohio State following their impressive performance against Louisville. Tennessee and LSU have also broken into the top 10 after notable victories in recent games.
In the 11-25 rankings, Indiana has made a significant leap to No. 11 after a dominant win over Nebraska. Illinois also re-enters the top 25 after a convincing victory against Michigan.
Teams in the 26-50 range have seen fluctuating fortunes, with Syracuse, UNLV, and South Carolina making notable jumps in the rankings. Colorado has quietly emerged as a solid team with a 5-2 record, positioning themselves at No. 38.
Further down the rankings, USC has slipped to No. 52 after a disappointing loss, while Louisiana and Georgia Southern have made strides in the Sun Belt conference.
In the 76-100 range, Baylor’s surprising win against Texas Tech has propelled them to No. 76, while Auburn’s struggles have seen them drop to No. 80.
Overall, the college football landscape continues to evolve as teams jostle for position in The Athletic 134 rankings. With the season reaching its midpoint, there are bound to be more surprises and upsets in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis on college football’s top teams.
(Note: This article is a rewrite based on the original content from The Athletic 134. The information and rankings presented are for illustrative purposes only.)
