The Athletic: Ohio State No. 1 in 138-Team Midseason Re-Rank

Ohio State returns to the No. 1 spot in the 138-team midseason college football re-rank for October 2026, overtaking previous top programs following a chaotic stretch of games where five AP top-seven teams lost on the same day, according to The Athletic. The midseason shakeup leaves the Football Bowl Subdivision with a wide gap between elite contenders and winless programs, positioning Northern Illinois at No. 138 at the bottom of the field.

Ohio State Claims Top Spot Despite Injury Concerns

Ohio State claims the No. 1 ranking in the Week 7 re-rank after securing two major road wins against Indiana and Iowa, offsetting a narrow one-point road loss to Texas, according to The Athletic. The Buckeyes hold the top position over Miami and BYU, though quarterback Julianel Sayin is likely out for several weeks. BCSFootball.org reports that Ohio State’s historical staying power places the program at the front of the 138-team field as November approaches.

Miami and BYU Challenge at the Top

Miami sits at No. 3 in the midseason rankings following a double-overtime win against Florida State and a 13-point victory at Wake Forest, as reported by The Athletic. Meanwhile, BYU anchors its case for the top tier with close wins over Notre Dame and Arizona. Both programs join Ohio State at the top of the 138-team board, though voters weighed Miami’s narrower margins and singular signature win differently than the Buckeyes’ pair of road triumphs against top competition.

Carnage Across the Top 25 Shakes Up the Field

The AP poll’s top-ranked team lost to an unranked opponent in back-to-back weeks, with Texas falling to Oklahoma followed by Georgia losing to Auburn, creating a historic Saturday where five AP top-seven teams fell on the same day. Ole Miss rebounded from a loss at Florida by defeating Missouri 31-3, while Texas Tech climbed to No. 6 on the strength of an earlier win over Houston. Tennessee rose following a 26-10 victory against Alabama, and Auburn jumped to No. 27 after defeating Georgia on the road.

Ohio state no team rankings midseason — Photo: bcsfootball.org

Northern Illinois Drops to Dead Last

Northern Illinois ranks No. 138 at the bottom of the FBS field, joining ULM as the division’s final winless teams after recording single-score losses to Football Championship Subdivision opponents. The Huskies sit alone at the foot of the 138-team rankings entering the back half of the 2026 season.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 138-Team Re-Rank

What is the difference between the 138-team re-rank and the AP Top 25?

The AP poll ranks only 25 teams through a 69-person voting body of writers and broadcasters, whereas a 138-team re-rank evaluates every single FBS program from the playoff contenders down to winless teams like Northern Illinois.

Why is Ohio State ranked No. 1 instead of Miami or BYU?

Voters placed Ohio State at No. 1 because of two quality road wins against Indiana and Iowa, which outweighed a narrow one-point loss at Texas, whereas Miami secured only one marquee win prior to a double-overtime struggle against Florida State.

How did Texas Tech climb into the top ten?

Texas Tech rose to No. 6 largely because an earlier victory over Houston aged well after Houston defeated Oklahoma State later in the season.

Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.