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Indiana Ranks Sixth; BYU, Texas Out of CFP

8/4/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Indiana Hoosiers, 16-0 national champions, sit sixth in early 2026 preseason polls.
BYU Cougars, 12-2 and Big 12 championship participants, remain outside the College Football Playoff.
Louisville Cardinals sit third in ACC media poll while missing ESPN’s top 25.
Texas Longhorns, projected top five, missed the 2025 CFP while returning three linemen.
Miami Hurricanes earned 165 of 188 ACC first-place votes despite losing 16 starters.

History

Historical Context

Colorado’s lone AP national title came in 1990, when Bill McCartney’s Buffaloes posted an 11-1-1 record, scoring 338 points and defeating Notre Dame 10-9 in the Orange Bowl. That breakthrough illustrated how unbeaten runs can shape polls, a pattern echoed by Indiana’s 16-0 start in 2026 and fueling NCAA talks of expanding the College Football Playoff.

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Story summary

Indiana Hoosiers, 16-0 national champions, sit sixth in early 2026 preseason polls.
BYU Cougars, 12-2 and Big 12 championship participants, remain outside the College Football Playoff.
Louisville Cardinals sit third in ACC media poll while missing ESPN’s top 25.
Texas Longhorns, projected top five, missed the 2025 CFP while returning three linemen.
Miami Hurricanes earned 165 of 188 ACC first-place votes despite losing 16 starters.

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