Rankings · by Who's Starting Staff · Sept 21, 2026
Why WS still has Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 1: Week 4 power rankings, the movers, and the why
WS's model keeps Alabama Crimson Tide on top of the Week 4 power rankings even with the AP's No. 1 Texas Longhorns leading the poll: the top 10, who moved, and the why.
As of 2026-09-21T14:47:21.307Z, built from 1065 completed games this season. Full 138-team list and methodology: How it's calculated.
Who moved up
No. 8 Mississippi rose from No. 21 last week, after it beat LSU 32-24. No. 11 BYU Cougars rose from No. 20 last week, after it beat Colorado State 41-23 on the road. No. 15 Utah Utes rose from No. 23 last week, after it beat Utah State 33-0.
Who moved down
No. 17 Texas A&M Aggies fell from No. 3 last week, after it lost to Kentucky 21-31. No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes fell from No. 2 last week, after it beat Kent State 59-3. No. 21 Oklahoma Sooners fell from No. 14 last week, after it beat New Mexico 14-6.
Why the top is where it is
WS's model keeps Alabama Crimson Tide (OVR 98) at No. 1 even though the AP's own No. 1 is Texas Longhorns: the model weighs full-season efficiency and roster strength over any single result, so one game doesn't automatically flip the top spot. No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs sits 1 OVR points back.
About the ties
Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns all rate the same OVR this week and are listed alphabetically among themselves: a display rule, not a ratings claim. Miami Hurricanes, Tennessee Volunteers all rate the same OVR this week and are listed alphabetically among themselves: a display rule, not a ratings claim. Indiana Hoosiers, Mississippi, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ohio State Buckeyes all rate the same OVR this week and are listed alphabetically among themselves: a display rule, not a ratings claim.
Where this comes from
The full 25 and the 138-team table live on WS Power Rankings. Every team's own rating breakdown is one tap from its page: see why Alabama Crimson Tide rates where it does.
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