The AP Top 25 College Football Poll is an imperfect system fueled by good people doing their best–in many cases–but it’s become quite clear that a good portion of the voters simply do not watch most of the games before submitting their ballots. That yields some, let’s just call them “interesting”, results each week.

Given that fact, our team of highly dedicated college football and NFL Draft staff at A to Z Sports who do in fact watch as many games as humanly possible each week on top of covering their respective teams decided to come together and get the top 25 best teams ranked correctly. We’re calling this the “A to Z Top 25 College Football Poll”.

Each week this season we will be breaking down our top 25 teams briefly, then talking through which teams were are higher and lower on versus the AP Poll to give college football fans the best rankings in the business. Enjoy!

A to Z Top 25 College Football Poll – Week 4

1. Ohio State, 300 points (all 12 first place votes)
2. Oregon, 271
3. Georgia, 268
4. LSU, 266
5. Miami (FL), 261
6. Penn State, 251
7. Texas A&M, 213
8. Florida State, 208
9. Oklahoma 206
10. Texas, 205
11. Illinois, 188
12. Utah, 155
13. Iowa State, 145
14. Tennessee, 128
15. Ole Miss, 124
16. Alabama, 106
17. Missouri, 104
18. Auburn, 101
19. Georgia Tech, 99
20. Indiana, 75
21. Texas Tech, 59
22. Vanderbilt, 57
23. Mississippi State, 26
24. Notre Dame, 24
25. Michigan, 20 (tie break over USF: 6 voters having them Top 25)
    
    Also Receiving Votes: USF 20 (4 voters had them Top 25), South Carolina 13, USC 8, TCU 8, Tulane 7, Arizona State 4, Clemson 3, Louisville 1

The Ohio State Buckeyes were the consensus number one overall team across the board, rated number one in the nation by all 12 staff participating in the A to Z Top 25 Poll. That surprisingly nearly pairs up perfectly with the AP Poll, except 11 of their voters disagreed, ranking Penn State, LSU, Miami, or Oregon first overall instead.

After that the top two tiers of teams were quite similar as well. Both the A to Z and AP Polls had some mix of Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, LSU, Miami, and Penn State as the top six, but the order was completely different. The next tier of Texas A&M, Florida State, Oklahoma, Texas, and Illinois were the same, but again, the order was out of wack. And that was about where the similarities ended overall.

Our A to Z Poll ranked at least two teams from every power conference inside our top 13 overall, more properly weighing early strength of schedule and responding more heavily to new information than holding on to preseason priors. According to our poll, early conference championship game matchups look like Ohio State versus Oregon, Georgia versus LSU, Miami versus Florida State, and Utah versus Iowa State. We’ll see how that actually plays out soon enough, but let’s dive into the teams we were higher and lower on versus the AP Poll, hearing from our own writers in detail.

Teams we were higher on than the AP Poll

Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks were somehow ranked sixth via the AP Poll for some reason, but five of our staff had them ranked second, including myself. Whatever question marks people thought Oregon had heading into the season have all been answered. Dante Moore looks like the real deal at QB, perhaps better than Dillon Gabriel was last year already. The defense has been unbelievable through three weeks, holding a team that went 15-1 in FCS last year to 13 points, then crushing the hopes and dreams of Oklahoma State and Northwestern players.

Oregon ranks top three in offensive adjusted EPA per play and top ten in defensive adjusted EPA per play. The defense could stand to create more turnovers and sacks, but those will come. The offense could create a few more explosive plays, but the weapons are still all brand new. This Ducks team is special already, and they’re only going to get better. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor

Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M came into the season with a bit of uncertainty, but also a ton of intrigue for head coach Mike Elko entering his second year leading the Aggies. Our staff ranked them 7th in nation and they deserve it (instead of 10th via the AP). This team’s jump was going to go as far as quarterback Marcel Reed and the improvement he made this offseason could take them. Through three weeks, Reed has made some measurable improvements as a passer. He has appeared more comfortable in the pocket, even though it is still inconsistent. Add on his outstanding athleticism and he is a very real dual threat option to take advantage of for Texas A&M.

Everyone knew that the Aggies were going to have a very good offensive line coming back, and a stable of talented running backs. The biggest key was going to be how the wide receiver play improved. The additions of Kevin Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State) have been a game changer. That has allowed the offense to be a ton more valuable.

The defense so far this year has been less stellar, but Coach Elko has gained a great reputation as a defensive play caller. You should expect that unit to get a ton better down the course of the season. With talented players like pass rusher Cashius Howell, linebacker Taurean York, and cornerback Will Lee, there is certainly talent to work with. That group will determine just how good this team can be. – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Oklahoma Sooners

I have Oklahoma at seventh overall (our team has them ninth) because, for me, it’s about what have I seen in these first few weeks. Am I seeing quality wins and dominance from teams against lesser opponents? That’s why I have Miami 2 and Texas 10. I’m seeing both with Oklahoma. They were in control against Michigan, and that defense led by a game-changing defensive line, has me buying into the Sooners. Quarterback John Mateer elevates their offense, and I think they’ve earned a spot well inside the top 10 (unlike what the AP might say). We’ll see soon enough if that’s fair, as SEC play begins for them this week with a challenging home tilt against former Sooners QB Jackson Arnold and Auburn. – Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Miami

Utah Utes

Utah has yet to be tested this season but has looked every bit the part as a strong football team through its first three games against UCLA, Cal Poly, and Wyoming. The Utes are once again playing terrific defense while running the ball effectively. They have a real chance to be the Big 12’s representative in the College Football Playoff this season—just a year after finishing 5-7. That turnaround is a testament to the steady leadership of head coach Kyle Whittingham. Our team ranked them 12th in country. – Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State

Missouri Tigers

Entering the season, I didn’t really expect to have Mizzou in this sort of spot nearly a month into it (ranked 14th, personally). They’ve taken care of business convincingly in their two “gimme” games so far. The Tigers also handled a solid Kansas team, who is certainly better than they were last year, by multiple scores. I’ve been impressed with quarterback Beau Pribula so far, too. Overall, and most importantly, Missouri simply hasn’t slipped up thus far. – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans Saints and LSU

Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers have been a top five rushing team in the country through three weeks of action and haven’t had to do much through the air yet. They’ve coasted to 3-0 with a statement win over Baylor (who perhaps should be ranked themselves) and two easy victories over Group of 5 conference opponents. The fact that the AP Poll barely has them ranked at all is evidence that preseason priors hold far too much weight. They need to prove that the wins can continue against SEC competition, but they’re stacked on defense, they’re getting the best out of Jackson Arnold at quarterback, and look like a real contender. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor

Mississippi State Bulldogs

We’ll see how real Mississippi State is in the coming weeks when they start SEC play with a challenging stretch that includes games against Tennessee, at Texas A&M, at Florida, Texas, at Arkansas, and Georgia. For now though, the Bulldogs have done enough to be ranked, thanks to their upset win over Arizona State, a College Football Playoff team from last season. Mississippi State’s season-opening road win at Southern Miss doesn’t look too bad either, after the Golden Eagles’ win over Appalachian State this past weekend. The fact the AP Poll doesn’t have them even close to ranked is due to their helmets. – Zach Ragan, A to Z Sports Tennessee

Teams were were lower on than the AP Poll

LSU Tigers

Saturday left me wanting more from the LSU Tigers, to be honest. Five interceptions and they only scored 20 points? That’s a team worth two first overall votes from the AP? I expected more from Garrett Nussmeier and the offense. The defense has been outstanding but if the offense can’t score points, SEC play could be tough. The offensive line struggles are obvious after losing two tackles to the NFL. Speaking of the offense struggling, 116 of the Tigers’ 322 yards came on just two plays. My ranking of seventh for LSU could certainly change if the Tigers’ offense can get going, but for now I think Florida State, Penn State, and Oregon have looked better than LSU. – Zach Berry, A to Z Sports Texas

Miami Hurricanes

Miami is atop my list of teams that are good enough to reach the College Football Playoff, but lack the upside to actually win it. Even with Carson Beck playing much better than the 2024 version of himself and the reemergence of edge rusher Rueben Bain, there’s far too little certainty for me to trust that Mario Cristobal has built a roster impervious to his inevitable mistakes. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong that Miami has the floor to both make the CFP and win playoff games once there. I’m not much lower than the AP here at seventh, but I need to see it first. – Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports LSU

Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns currently do not look like a strong football team. Both their offense and defense have significant issues, which could be easily exposed in the upcoming SEC games. I have kept them ranked where they are because these are problems that might be fixed. However, leading UTEP only 7-3 at home right before halftime, relying on a broken play to make it 14-3, highlights serious concerns. UTEP is among the weakest programs nationally, and while Texas improved in the second half, these slow starts are becoming a consistent problem for the Longhorns. When that Red River Rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners comes, the Longhorns better hope they have everything fixed, or what happened in that game last year could be flipped. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma

Alabama Crimson Tide

If we put Alabama’s resume on South Carolina or Virginia Tech, would that change how you rank them in this poll? I think many would have them lower based on that alone, because Alabama is being ranked 14th by the AP solely based on the history of the program. They looked awful against Florida State and played two incredibly easy opponents in Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin at home. Is Alabama better than the 22nd place ranking I gave them? It’s certainly possible. However, they still need to prove it against a solid team before this rendition of the Crimson Tide gets the benefit of the doubt, and a win over Wisconsin isn’t going to do it. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech spent a lot of money this offseason to get their roster where it needed to be and they’re off to an undeniable good start. However, let’s slow down before ranking them too highly (the AP has them 17th, I don’t have them ranked at all). They beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kent State, and an Oregon State team that might be lucky to go 2-10. Behren Morton is definitely looking like the best version of himself. The running game has been surprisingly successful despite the absence (an injury) of Quinten Joyner. Still, let’s see them play a team resembling anything close to competence first. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor

Michigan Wolverines

I have to be honest here, I’m not sure what makes Michigan worthy of a top 25 spot in any rankings. My main question is, who have they beaten? They are 2-1, with wins over New Mexico and Central Michigan. The one notable contest they’ve had? A 24-13 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, where Bryce Underwood and the rest of his team looked overwhelmed. Honestly, that score is not indicative of the game. John Mateer tried to give a few away, and the Sooners still stomped the Wolverines. Maybe we can revisit Michigan after their game against Nebraska, but sorry, wins against teams you should dominate with your backups don’t move the needle for me when discussing who belongs in the top 25. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

USC Trojans

For me USC didn’t make my top 25. To be more specific I have them at 27. Their top win is a road Big Ten game over Purdue, who I was shocked to see they didn’t beat by more points, to be honest. Jayden Maiava had an up and down day and still showed he has plenty of room to grow as a starter. WR Ja’Kobi Lane and RB Waymond Jordan are the stars of that offense and I’ll need to see them being able to compete with some of the top teams in the Big Ten to believe they’re the real deal. – Destin Adams, A to Z Sports Indianapolis Colts and NFL Draft

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