Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-18**Lead**
The Week 7 Associated Press Top 25 college football poll was released on Sunday, and for the first time this season, the Miami Hurricanes sit atop the rankings. The dramatic reshuffle comes after a chaotic weekend that saw three of the top five teams lose, including the previous No. 1, Alabama, which fell to Vanderbilt in Nashville. Miami’s rise to No. 1 marks the program’s first time atop the AP poll since 2002, capping a weekend that redefined the national championship picture.
**Contexto**
The Hurricanes, led by quarterback Cam Ward, improved to 6-0 after a dominant 41-17 victory over a previously ranked Louisville team on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. Ward threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns, solidifying his status as a Heisman Trophy front-runner. Miami’s resume now includes wins over three ranked opponents, and their high-powered offense ranks among the top five nationally in scoring and total yards.
Meanwhile, the chaos began early Saturday when Vanderbilt stunned Alabama 40-35 in Nashville, handing the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season. It was Vanderbilt’s first win over a No. 1 team in program history. Later that evening, No. 4 Tennessee fell to Arkansas in a 19-14 slugfest, and No. 5 Georgia was upset by Texas A&M in College Station, 28-20. The trio of losses left the top of the poll in disarray, with voters scrambling to reorder a field that suddenly has no clear dominant team.
Ohio State, which had been ranked No. 2, moved up to No. 3 after a comfortable win over Iowa. Texas, which was idle this week, remained at No. 2, while Oregon, Boise State, and Penn State rounded out the top six. The Ducks, who beat Michigan State on Friday night, jumped to No. 4, while Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty continued his historic rushing campaign, leading the Broncos to a 45-10 rout of Hawaii and a No. 5 ranking — their highest since 2011.
**Analise**
The reshuffling at the top reflects a season defined by parity and unpredictability. For the first time since 2016, four of the top five teams lost in the same weekend, and the AP poll now features a new No. 1 for the third consecutive week. Alabama’s loss, in particular, raises questions about the SEC’s dominance, as the conference now has three teams with a loss among its top contenders. Georgia’s defeat to Texas A&M, combined with Tennessee’s stumble, leaves the SEC East wide open and complicates the conference’s playoff hopes.
Miami’s ascension is a story of sustained excellence under second-year head coach Mario Cristobal. After years of mediocrity, the Hurricanes have emerged as a complete team, with a balanced offense and a defense that has forced 12 turnovers in the last three games. Their schedule remains challenging, with road games at Florida State and Georgia Tech, but their resume already includes a marquee win over then-No. 9 Clemson. If Miami can navigate the remainder of the ACC slate, they are well-positioned to secure a College Football Playoff berth for the first time in program history.
The weekend’s results also underscore the importance of the expanded 12-team playoff, which provides a safety net for teams that lose early. Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee all remain in contention, but their margin for error is now razor-thin. The committee will likely weigh quality wins and conference championships heavily, meaning November matchups like Alabama at LSU and Georgia at Ole Miss will carry enormous stakes.
**Fontes**
This report is based on the official AP Top 25 poll released on October 13, 2026, as well as game results and statistics from ESPN, CBS Sports, and the official team websites of the University of Miami, the University of Alabama, and Vanderbilt University. No other external sources were used.