We Speak College Football

Georgia Takes Over at No. 1 in Second College Football Playoff Rankings of 2026

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton runs against Ole Miss, Nov. 7, 2026

Georgia is the new No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff rankings. The selection committee released its second Top 25 of the 2026 season on Tuesday night, elevating the Bulldogs one spot after their 42-7 road win over Ole Miss, a game in which quarterback Gunner Stockton accounted for five touchdowns and the Georgia defense held a Rebels offense averaging 37.1 points per game to seven points and 252 yards.

Miami, the committee’s initial No. 1, fell six spots to No. 7 after its 31-24 loss at Notre Dame. Notre Dame made the biggest leap of the week, climbing six spots from No. 11 to No. 5, the first time in playoff history a team has jumped from outside the top 10 into the top five in a single week. Utah moved up to No. 2, its highest ranking in program history, and UCLA climbed four spots to No. 4, also a program best. Utah and UCLA are the last two undefeated teams in the FBS.

Alabama rose two spots to No. 3 at 7-2, the earliest a two loss team has ever sat in the top four. Tennessee climbed five spots to No. 8 and into the projected playoff field, while Indiana fell five spots to No. 9 after its first loss. Oregon was the week’s biggest riser overall, up seven spots to No. 16. Boise State, at No. 24, remains the highest ranked team from a Group of Six conference and in line for the final playoff seed. Oklahoma State entered the rankings at No. 25, its first appearance since the 2023 season, and Florida dropped out.

The full second rankings, for games played through Saturday, November 7, are: 1. Georgia (8-1), 2. Utah (9-0), 3. Alabama (7-2), 4. UCLA (9-0), 5. Notre Dame (8-1), 6. Texas (7-2), 7. Miami (8-1), 8. Tennessee (7-2), 9. Indiana (8-1), 10. BYU (7-2), 11. Kentucky (7-2), 12. Texas Tech (8-1), 13. Wake Forest (8-1), 14. Houston (7-2), 15. Iowa (7-2), 16. Oregon (6-3), 17. South Carolina (6-3), 18. USC (7-2), 19. Ole Miss (6-3), 20. Ohio State (6-3), 21. LSU (6-3), 22. Missouri (6-3), 23. Arizona (7-2), 24. Boise State (8-1), 25. Oklahoma State (6-3).

This is Georgia’s 16th week at No. 1 in the playoff rankings, second only to Alabama’s 24 in the playoff era. Houston, at No. 14, also reached its highest ranking in program history.

The committee will release its third rankings on Tuesday, November 17, at approximately 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The final rankings and the 12 team playoff bracket will be revealed on Sunday, December 6, with the national championship game set for Monday, January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

We Speak College Football

Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

41 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

KJ Butler

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.