College football rankings: Danny Kanell releases updated top 12 after Week 9

Following a pivotal Week 9 of the 2025 college football season, Danny Kanell has overhauled his Top 12 rankings. Heading into November, these 12 teams have a legitimate shot to make the College Football Playoff potential through eight weeks.

Notably, there wasn’t a ton of movement at the top. For the second straight week, Kanell features new picks at No. 11 and 12.

With no major upsets happening among CFP contenders this weekend, Kanell didn’t have to do make any major adjustments like last week after Miami lost and BYU and Georgia Tech soared. Here’s how his list stacks up ahead of Week 10:

1. Ohio State (-)

Ohio State remained atop Kanell’s rankings during their bye week. The 7-0 Buckeyes are set to host Penn State on Saturday in what was, at one time, supposed to be one of the marquee games of the 2025 regular season.

That’s not the case anymore with the Nittany Lions experiencing a down season. Instead, the Buckeyes are expected to handle their business until The Game in just about a month’s time.

2. Indiana (-)

The Hoosiers beat UCLA 56-6 on Saturday, humbling the Bruins and proving, again, why Indiana is a legitimate national championship contender. They’re 8-0 to start to the season for the second year in a row.

Indiana rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns during the win. QB Fernando Mendoza scored four total touchdowns during the contest. Looking ahead, the Hoosiers will take on Maryland this weekend.

3. Texas A&M (-)

Texas A&M is 8-0 for the first time since 1992. Defeating LSU 49-25 on the road during Week 9, the Aggies have become the team to beat in the SEC.

With four games left on the schedule, the Aggies have just two wins over ranked opponents — Notre Dame and now LSU. If they finish undefeated, they’ll double that total with potential wins at Missouri and Texas.

4. BYU (+1)

BYU trailed Iowa State 24-17 at halftime on the road during Week 9. The Cougars would outscore the Cyclones 24-3 over the next two quarters, improving to 8-0 on the season in the process.

They’ll get to enjoy a bye next week and enter Week 11 undefeated against Texas Tech in a matchup that could determine who the best team in the Big 12 is heading into the postseason. BYU also has a matchup against Cincinnati before the end of the season — the only other team undefeated in conference play.

5. Georgia Tech (-1)

Georgia Tech football is 8-0 — something that hasn’t happened since 1966. They achieved the historic feat by blowing out Syracuse 41-16 during Week 9 in front of their home fans.

If all goes as planned, a potential top-10 matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Georgia Bulldogs will round out the regular season. If last year’s eight-overtime thriller wasn’t enough, 2025’s installment of the rivalry has the making to be that much better.

6. Oregon (+1)

Oregon had a quiet Week 9. Defeating Wisconsin 21-7, the Ducks still managed to move up one spot on Kanell’s list.

Dante Moore threw for 86 yards while his backup, Brock Thomas, scored a touchdown while he was in the game. Oregon will look to get back to their dominating ways next week on the road against Iowa.

7. Miami (+2)

The Hurricanes put their loss to Louisville last week behind them, defeating Stanford 42-7 after scoring 35 unanswered points in the second half. After a slow start, Miami improved to 6-1 with the victory.

RB Mark Fletcher rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinal. That came as a part of a rushing attack that finished with 199 yards and five total touchdowns.

8. Alabama (-2)

Alabama survived a second-half scare from South Carolina, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter en route to winning 29-22. That included a 25-yard go-ahead touchdown run from Germie Bernard with less than a minute left in regulation.

The Crimson Tide has now won its last seven games and alongside Texas A&M. They’re the only only two teams currently undefeated against its SEC competition.

9. Georgia (-1)

Georgia was on its bye during Week 9, but the last time we saw the Bulldogs in action was during a 43-35 win over a then-top five Ole Miss squad. Georgia put up over 500 yards of total offense during the win, including a five touchdown performance from QB Gunner Stockton.

The Bulldogs will take on rival Florida in their annual neutral site matchup during Week 10. Looking ahead, they also have ranked matchups against Texas and Georgia Tech down the stretch.

10. Ole Miss (-)

Ole Miss earned a huge bounce back win over Oklahoma 34-26 on Saturday, one week after suffering its first loss of the season vs. Georgia. QB Trinidad Chambliss starred in his role once again by throwing for 315 yards and rushing for 53 more.

The hardest part of the Rebels’ schedule is now behind them. They won’t face a ranked opponent for the rest of the regular season.

11. Vanderbilt (NR)

Vanderbilt seems to make history on a weekly basis. That continued this week when the Commodores hosted ESPN College GameDay for the first time since 2008 and improving to 7-1 for the first time since 1941.

The Commodores have opportunities to continue to surge up the rankings. Looking ahead, their schedule still features matchups at Texas and Tennessee on the docket before the end of the regular season.

12. Louisville (NR)

Louisville rode its wave of momentum from defeating Miami last week against Boston College on Saturday. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 38-24, improving Louisville’s record to 6-1 in the process.

Just two of the Cardinals’ five final opponents this regular season are against teams with records above .500. They’ll travel to Virginia Tech on Saturday to take on the Hokies in Blacksburg.