Jim Baxter’s Rankings | November 1, 2026
THE ROAD TO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
The calendar has turned to November, and college football is beginning to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Ohio State’s loss at Southern Cal shook up the national picture, Georgia continues to look dangerous, and Miami remains unbeaten despite surviving a scare against North Carolina.
This is the point in the season when I start putting more emphasis on what teams have accomplished against quality competition rather than where they began the season.
Here is my JB Talking Sportz National Top 25, based on results through Saturday, October 31.
JB’S NATIONAL TOP 25
- Miami (8-0)
- Georgia (7-1)
- Utah (8-0)
- UCLA (8-0)
- Notre Dame (7-1)
- Indiana (8-1)
- Kentucky (7-1)
- BYU (7-1)
- Alabama (6-2)
- Texas (6-2)
- Ohio State (6-2)
- Ole Miss (6-2)
- Texas Tech (7-1)
- Wake Forest (7-1)
- LSU (6-2)
- Tennessee (6-2)
- USC (7-2)
- Missouri (6-2)
- Houston (6-2)
- Boise State (7-1)
- Iowa (6-2)
- South Carolina (5-3)
- New Mexico (7-1)
- Arizona (6-2)
- Florida (5-3)
JB’S TAKE
MIAMI REMAINS NO. 1, BUT THE HURRICANES ARE VULNERABLE.
Giving up 35 points to North Carolina is not the kind of defensive performance that inspires confidence heading into November. Miami has the talent to win a national championship, but championship defenses don’t routinely allow opponents to hang around.
GEORGIA IS BREATHING DOWN MIAMI’S NECK.
The Bulldogs handled Florida convincingly, and I believe Georgia is playing some of its best football at precisely the right time. This is a program that understands how to win football games in November and December.
UTAH DESERVES RESPECT.
At 8-0, the Utes have earned their position among the nation’s elite. Their upcoming showdown with BYU should tell us considerably more about both teams.
OHIO STATE TAKES A TUMBLE.
Losing 30-18 to Southern Cal raises legitimate questions about the Buckeyes. Injuries matter, but championship teams must demonstrate that they can overcome adversity. Ohio State still has the talent to make a postseason run, but the margin for error has become considerably smaller.
KENTUCKY IS BECOMING A SERIOUS SEC CONTENDER.
The Wildcats have put together an impressive résumé, and I don’t believe they are receiving nearly enough national attention. Kentucky is no longer a team that opponents can afford to overlook.
SOUTH CAROLINA ENTERS MY RANKINGS AT NO. 22.
The Gamecocks have won some important football games, but I am not convinced they have solved their offensive inconsistencies. They have earned recognition, but there is still plenty to prove.
LaNorris Sellers remains one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in college football. However, the Gamecocks must become more consistent offensively if they expect to finish the season among the nation’s best teams.
THREE GAMES THAT COULD SHAKE UP NEXT WEEK’S RANKINGS
NO. 1 MIAMI AT NO. 5 NOTRE DAME
An enormous game with national championship implications. Miami’s defense will face another significant test, and Notre Dame has an opportunity to make a statement.
NO. 8 BYU AT NO. 3 UTAH
The Holy War could determine which Big 12 program has the clearest path to the conference championship. Both teams have plenty at stake.
NO. 2 GEORGIA AT NO. 12 OLE MISS
A significant SEC showdown that could dramatically alter the playoff picture. Georgia has an opportunity to strengthen its championship credentials, while Ole Miss desperately needs a signature victory.
THE BOTTOM LINE
November is where reputations stop mattering and results take over.
I have always believed that rankings should reflect what a football team has demonstrated on the field, not what somebody predicted it would accomplish in August.
There are several teams in my Top 25 that I believe are better than their records suggest. There are also a few undefeated teams that still have questions to answer.
And over the next four weeks, we’re going to get those answers.
James Baxter
JB Talking Sportz
