UCLA soared into the CBS Sports 138 top five, hitting the No. 5 spot after a dominant 7-0 start to the 2026 season. This isn’t just a good run; it’s a massive statement from a team that has navigated a complete roster rebuild in the offseason and battled through injuries to their starting quarterback midseason.
Bruins Defy Expectations With Historic Climb
Bob Chesney’s squad didn’t stumble into the top 10; they absolutely earned their spot. Stepping into the national spotlight against Michigan State on Saturday, the Bruins overcame a slow start to win handily, solidifying their spot as one of the best stories in college football this year. This 7-0 record marks UCLA’s best start since way back in 2005.
For those tracking the CBS Sports 138, which has been around since 2016-17, this is the highest the Bruins have ever been ranked this late into the season. Their average ballot ranking sits at a strong 5.6, placing them just behind the reigning champion Indiana, who hold a 5.1 average, and a hair ahead of Notre Dame, sitting at 5.7. Considering what everyone thought of them preseason, that’s a massive surprise.
Miami Claims Unanimous Top Spot While Others Battle
While UCLA makes waves, there’s no debate at the very top: Miami finally grabbed the unanimous No. 1 spot. The Hurricanes are also undefeated at 7-0, proving their dominance so far this season. Right behind them, we’ve got a tight battle for No. 2, with Ohio State, 6-1, just edging out Georgia, who also holds a 6-1 record, for that second position. Reigning champion Indiana, 7-1, holds steady at No. 4, right above UCLA, and Notre Dame rounds out the top six with a 6-1 record.
Looking a bit further down, there’s a fascinating cluster of teams just outside the top 10. LSU (6-2), Ole Miss (5-2), Wake Forest (6-1), and Texas (5-2) are all ranked between No. 11 and No. 14, with their average ballot rankings hovering incredibly close together, from 13.2 to 13.6. It shows the experts agree these teams are top-15 quality but can’t quite nail down who deserves to break into that elite top 10 next. Keep an eye on those teams, because one big statement could be all it takes.
Movers and Shakers: Cincinnati’s Upset And Preseason Contender Woes
The latest rankings aren’t just about the top teams. The Mover’s Report highlighted some big weekly adjustments, including a shout-out for Cincinnati’s impressive upset win. On the flip side, there are some tough conversations happening around a couple of teams that were widely considered preseason playoff contenders. Their seasons definitely aren’t going as planned, and these rankings reflect that early season struggle.
These updated rankings, compiled from experts at CBS Sports and 247Sports, are setting the stage for a wild finish to October. With teams moving up and down, it’s clear the race for national prominence is heating up, and every single game from here on out is going to matter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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