ESPN's Computer Model Releases Week 2 Top 25 Poll

The 2026 college football season is turning the page to Week 2.

While there’s technically still some action left in Week 1 – Florida State will play SMU on Monday night – the majority of the sport has put their opening weekend games to bed, looking ahead to the rest of the year.

Week 1 was highlighted by Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan, blowouts from the likes of Ohio State, Texas and LSU, and Oregon barely escaping a close game with Boise State.

Who are the country’s best teams right now?

ESPN’s computer model, the Football Power Index, updated its Top 25 rankings as we head into Week 2.

Week 2 Top 25 from ESPN’s computer model

1. Texas
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Miami
5. Georgia
6. Indiana
7. LSU
8. Oregon
9. Alabama
10. Texas A&M
11. Oklahoma
12. Texas Tech
13. USC
14. Penn State
15. South Carolina
16. Ole Miss
17. Florida
18. Tennessee
19. BYU
20. Michigan
21. Pittsburgh
22. Nebraska
23. Utah
24. SMU
25. Virginia

How does ESPN’s computer model work? It’s a projection-based system, that uses 1,000s of simulations to predict the most-likely results (and the best teams).

“The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete,” the FPI states.

Week 2 will be here before we know it.