Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.
The fourth weekend of the 2026 season was headlined by Texas holding on to a 20-17 victory over Tennessee, Iowa’s last-second win at Michigan, along with Florida’s blowout of Ole Miss. Additionally, Oregon knocked off USC, Oklahoma State scored a critical victory at West Virginia, and Wake Forest upset Louisville in ACC play.
Texas takes the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 4 top 25 rankings, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Ohio State. Here are Athlon Sports’ top 25 college football teams after Week 4:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 4)
1. Texas (4-0)
Last Week: 1
Week 4 Result: Defeated Tennessee
Defense led the way for Texas in a 20-17 road win at Tennessee. Defensive end Colin Simmons dominated the line of scrimmage with five tackles for a loss and five sacks, as coordinator Will Muschamp’s group allowed only 221 yards. The Longhorns didn’t get much going on offense, but quarterback Arch Manning made a couple of timely throws, and the rushing attack stepped up in the fourth quarter.
2. Georgia (4-0)
Last Week: 2
Week 4 Result: Defeated Oklahoma
The Bulldogs handled Oklahoma 41-13 on the strength of a defense that registered three sacks, forced four turnovers and allowed only 296 yards. Georgia’s offense was also efficient against one of the nation’s top defenses, averaging 5.8 yards a play.
3. Notre Dame (4-0)
Last Week: 4
Week 4 Result: Defeated Purdue
The Fighting Irish dominated Purdue on both sides of the ball in a 49-10 victory. Coach Marcus Freeman’s defense recorded six sacks and limited the Boilermakers to just 218 yards. Behind quarterback CJ Carr (14 of 22 for 237 yards and three scores), Notre Dame averaged 7.7 yards per snap.
4. Indiana (4-0)
Last Week: 5
Week 4 Result: Defeated Northwestern
The Hoosiers held off Northwestern’s upset bid in a 29-23 victory to improve to 4-0. Coach Curt Cignetti’s squad has plenty to work on after the win, as the pass defense allowed 293 yards to the Wildcats, and the offense needs to do a better job at finishing in the red zone. Turbo Richard’s injury added concerns about depth at running back, but Lee Beebe Jr. stepped up with 203 yards to power the Indiana ground game.
5. Ohio State (3-1)
Last Week: 6
Week 4 Result: Defeated Illinois
Receiver Jeremiah Smith displayed why he’s college football’s No. 1 player with a huge day in Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois. Smith grabbed 12 receptions for 217 yards and four scores, while quarterback Julian Sayin was sharp (27 of 36 for 367 yards and four touchdowns).
6. Miami (4-0)
Last Week: 7
Week 4 Result: Defeated Central Michigan
Quarterback Darian Mensah (23 of 27 for 338 yards and three scores) was flawless once again, as Miami cruised to a 52-3 win over Central Michigan.
7. Florida (4-0)
Last Week: 20
Week 4 Result: Defeated Ole Miss
The Gators earned a signature victory under new coach Jon Sumrall by crushing Ole Miss 52-28. Led by running backs Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark, the ground game gashed the Rebels for 302 yards and six scores on the ground. Sumrall’s defense didn’t keep Ole Miss’ high-powered offense completely in check, but this unit forced two turnovers and made a couple of timely stops to help secure the victory.
8. Alabama (4-0)
Last Week: 9
Week 4 Result: Defeated South Carolina
Quarterback Keelon Russell completed 21 of 27 throws for 365 yards and four scores and added a rushing touchdown to lead Alabama to a 49-18 victory over South Carolina. The Crimson Tide have scored 45 or more points in all four of their victories this season.
9. Ole Miss (3-1)
Last Week: 4
Week 4 Result: Lost to Florida
A trip to the Swamp to play a much-improved Florida squad was a tough turnaround for Ole Miss after last week’s win over LSU. Coming off that victory, the Rebels looked a little flat and simply had no answer for the Gators’ rushing attack in a 52-28 defeat.
10. LSU (3-1)
Last Week: 8
Week 4 Result: Defeated Texas A&M
The Bayou Bengals rebounded from last week’s loss at Ole Miss with a 35-6 win over Texas A&M. The injury report continues to grow for coach Lane Kiffin’s squad, as linebacker Whit Weeks suffered a significant ankle injury in the victory.
11. Texas Tech (4-0)
Last Week: 10
Week 4 Result: Defeated Sam Houston
The Red Raiders were sloppy with four turnovers, but coach Joey McGuire’s team used 28 points in the second half to put away Sam Houston 49-14.
12. BYU (3-0)
Last Week: 11
Week 4 Result: Off Week
BYU had an off date in Week 4 and will return to action next Saturday at TCU.
13. Utah (4-0)
Last Week: 15
Week 4 Result: Defeated Iowa State
Running back Wayshawn Parker ran for 174 yards and two scores and added five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown to lead Utah to a 31-17 victory at Iowa State. The Utes are off next Saturday before hosting Kansas on Oct. 10.
14. Oregon (3-1)
Last Week: 17
Week 4 Result: Defeated USC
The Ducks overcame the loss of quarterback Dante Moore and defeated USC 41-27 in a crucial Big Ten contest. Backup Dylan Raiola completed 19 of 25 throws for 289 yards and two scores, while Oregon’s defense made enough timely stops to lift coach Dan Lanning’s squad to a huge win.
15. Iowa (4-0)
Last Week: 19
Week 4 Result: Defeated Michigan
Quarterback Hank Brown connected with receiver Reece Vander Zee on a 19-yard touchdown on the final play of the game to lift Iowa to a 20-19 victory over Michigan. The Hawkeyes host Ohio State in Week 5.
16. Mississippi State (4-0)
Last Week: 21
Week 4 Result: Defeated Missouri
The Bulldogs used 14 points in the fourth quarter to knock off Missouri 31-24 and move to 4-0 this season. Quarterback Kamario Taylor was outstanding once again, completing 27 of 38 throws for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Fluff Bothwell ran for 122 yards, and Mississippi State’s defense made enough timely stops to score a seven-point win over the Tigers.
17. Tennessee (3-1)
Last Week: 14
Week 4 Result: Lost to Texas
Tennessee’s defense allowed only 262 yards to Texas, but coach Josh Heupel’s team had no answers on offense for how to block the Longhorns in a 20-17 loss. The Volunteers managed only 70 rushing yards, and quarterback Faizon Brandon (17 of 29 for 145 yards) struggled in his first test of the ‘26 season.
18. USC (4-1)
Last Week: 12
Week 4 Result: Lost to Oregon
The Trojans came up short once again in a big game under coach Lincoln Riley, losing 41-27 to Oregon on Saturday night. Despite losing quarterback Dante Moore to injury, USC’s defense had no answer to slow the Ducks’ high-powered offense (7.4 yards per snap). With matchups remaining against Washington, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana, the Trojans face a tough path to the playoff with little margin for error the rest of the way.
19. Oklahoma State (3-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 4 Result: Defeated West Virginia
The Cowboys joined the top 25 following Saturday night’s 41-24 win at West Virginia. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker was outstanding in Morgantown, throwing for 389 yards and three scores on 20 completions.
20. Virginia Tech (4-0)
Last Week: 23
Week 4 Result: Defeated Boston College
Weather conditions in Chestnut Hill were a disaster, but Virginia Tech mustered enough offense to score 15 points in the fourth quarter and escape with a 21-14 victory over Boston College. Running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. gashed the Eagles for 209 yards and a score on the ground, while the Hokies’ defense allowed only 261 yards.
21. Houston (3-1)
Last Week: 24
Week 4 Result: Defeated Georgia Southern
The Cougars closed out non-conference play with a 42-28 victory over Georgia Southern. Quarterback Conner Weigman tossed four touchdown passes to guide an offense that averaged seven yards per play in the win.
22. Boise State (3-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 4 Result: Defeated Western Michigan
With wins over Memphis and Western Michigan this season, Boise State clearly sits in the pole position for the No. 1 spot among Group of 6 teams. The Broncos leaned on running back Dylan Riley (138 yards) and a strong rush defense (just 113 yards allowed) to beat WMU 32-7 on Saturday.
23. UCLA (4-0)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 4 Result: Defeated Maryland
The Bruins joined the top 25 after a 54-3 blowout victory over Maryland. UCLA’s defense returned two interceptions for a touchdown, while the offense ran for 266 yards and averaged 7.5 yards per play.
24. Duke (4-0)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 4 Result: Defeated William & Mary
The Blue Devils are off to a 4-0 start for the second time under coach Manny Diaz after an easy 62-7 victory over William & Mary.
25. SMU (3-1)
Last Week: 25
Week 4 Result: Defeated Missouri State
The Mustangs have plenty to clean up after a sloppy 34-24 victory over Missouri State.
Up Next: Wake Forest, Louisville, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, Pitt
