College football rankings show significant mid-season shifts

The 2026-27 college football season has seen unexpected shifts in rankings as the midpoint approaches. Only six of the top ten teams from the preseason AP poll remain in the top ten, with several major programs struggling to maintain their projected dominance.

In the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks have fallen to the bottom of the top ten standings following challenges with coaching, injuries, and player depth. Other notable programs, including the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M, have also faced difficulties, with Oklahoma recording only three victories and both Oregon and Texas A&M securing four.

Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to show high levels of parity. Despite multiple losses, five SEC teams remain ranked in the AP Top 25, including Alabama, LSU, Texas, Florida, and Missouri. The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams provides a potential path for these two-loss teams to remain in contention for a championship.