The AP Poll is here, and this time, the AP did better with the College Football ratings than last week. As the College Football Playoff rankings get closer and closer, we need to get them right.

So, as always, A to Z did its own rankings. And these are, of course, the right and best way you should be looking at the rankings.

A to Z Top 25 College Football Poll – October 19

1. Miami, 175 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Georgia, 166
3. Utah, 156
4. UCLA, 152
5. Indiana, 139
6. Notre Dame. 139
7. Kentucky, 137
8. BYU, 127
9. Alabama, 121
10. Ohio State, 106
11. Texas, 105
12. Ole Miss, 100
13. Wake Forest, 94
14. Texas Tech, 87
15. LSU, 80
16. USC, 67
17. Tennessee, 65
18. Houston, 59
19. Missouri, 51
20. Boise State, 30
21. New Mexico, 28
22. Iowa, 27
23. Arizona, 20
24. South Carolina, 19
25. Florida, 14
    Also receiving votes: UTSA (7), Duke (4), Memphis (1)

The differences between the AP Poll and the A to Z Poll

BYU

BYU deserves to be in the top 10, but I have a hard time justifying the Cougars at No. 7. BYU has an impressive win over Notre Dame, now ranked No. 4, but it also lost to unranked UCF, 39-31, in double overtime. The Cougars haven’t dominated their competition either, needing a late push to beat Arizona State, 27-20, on October 31.

I would put Kentucky ahead of BYU at No. 7. The Wildcats have wins over Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, giving them a much stronger resume against SEC competition. BYU has plenty of talent, led by quarterback Bear Bachmeier, running back LJ Martin, and receiver Legend Glasker, but I need to see another signature win before moving them higher. Their November 7 showdown with undefeated Utah is the perfect opportunity to make that case. Until then, No. 8 feels like the right spot. – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame

Indiana

Aside from Nick Marsh’s foot going out of bounds against Ohio State, this Indiana team keeps finding a way to win close games. While it isn’t ideal to be in these close games late, I think Indiana will be better for it because of the tests they’ve had. That is a solid 3-loss team Indiana held off in Week 9, and they did it without their starting quarterback much of the way. If the Hoosiers can get Josh Hoover back on track, they’re one of the best teams in the country. – Brandon Little, A to Z Ohio State

UCLA

Since I have the highest ranking of the Bruins, I’ll speak for the A to Z Sports collective and say that our ranking being higher than the AP poll largely comes down to UCLA being undefeated. Yes, the Bruins have played a lighter Big-10 schedule than the likes of Ohio State and Indiana. But in a year where parity has never been higher, the Bruins are still undefeated. Oh, and they are doing so without their starting QB after Nico Iamaleava went down with a season-ending injury.

What Bob Chesney has built in such short order is reminiscent of Curt Cignetti at Indiana. Sure, the Bruins may not have the horses to compete for a natty, but their brand of football, defensive and run-first mentality, is one that will always play, and has me buying Bruins as one of the best teams in the sport. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama

USC

The USC Trojans are a prime example of this season’s chaos. They have been a ball of pure chaos this season. Aside from losses to the Oregon Ducks and a blowout at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers, they have been very consistent, especially on offense. Lincoln Riley is leading this team with consistency on offense.

The defense has had roadblocks, especially against the run, but with Jayden Maiava operating the offense at such a high level, it will continue to be a successful season for the Trojans. Their win against Ohio State was a big one to prove their legitimacy this season, and they have another chance to do so against the Indiana Hoosiers, where I expect them to have success.- Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I had Notre Dame at No. 8 this week, but it was up from last week, in all transparency. UCLA is undefeated, Kentucky has more impressive wins, and of course BYU has the head-to-head advantage, so I have them all higher. Notre Dame also didn’t look particularly impressive against 30-point underdog Navy, needing a long touchdown run right before the half to take the lead. But the Irish host No. 1 Miami this week.

Win that game, and Notre Dame will be way up there and will have earned it. I think our composite ranking at 6 is more on the nose than the AP at 4. I fail to understand what Notre Dame has done to warrant a spot that high with the AP ahead of teams like the Bruins (who are 3-0 in common games with the Irish and have a win at Oregon) and the team that beat them in BYU. – Craig Smith, A to Z Miami

Kentucky Wildcats

Firstly, Kentucky is first in the SEC, the hardest conference so far with the most all-around competition. That alone deserves something. And they have some very impressive wins. They have beaten Texas A&M on the road, which is never easy, no matter how bad the Aggies are. They beat LSU, then went to Norman and won an ugly road game against a top defense. Their lone loss is to Alabama.

So, yes, they deserve to be higher. We have them three spots higher than the AP Poll, and to me, that’s perfect. They’re the best in the SEC right now. The AP has them at 8. We have them at 7, which I still think you could make a case is too low. They have the best record in the hardest conference. But there are also undefeated teams ahead of them. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Oklahoma

Ohio State

Ohio State is clearly still figuring out their quarterback mess in the wake of the Julian Sayin injury. Luke Fahey danced in the pocket and missed opportunities in the red zone against USC, but the rest of the Ohio State team didn’t change. Bo Jackson had perhaps his best game of the year as he’s found his footing at running back. Jeremiah Smith is still the greatest college football wide receiver maybe ever. Dropping the Buckeyes to 11 is a bit of an overreaction.

They’re still top 5 in net adjusted EPA per play, and just simply couldn’t convert trips deep to USC territory into touchdowns. If Fahey gets comfortable, Ohio State could (and should) win out, forcing their way into the College Football Playoff field. If he doesn’t, then it makes sense to keep dropping them, but 11th is a steep drop just one game after defeating Indiana with Fahey at the helm for much of the game. – Travis May, College Football Editing Manager