AP Poll Top 25 Prediction After Indiana’s CFP Title Win

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We know who the No. 1 team will be in the final AP Poll Top 25 when it comes out on Tuesday. How will the rest of the rankings shake out?

Here’s our call for how the AP voters will rank the final top 25 in a historic season that came down to the final few moments.

Projecting the Final AP Top 25 Rankings After the CFP Championship

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) reacts after getting an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Top 5 Predicted Others Receiving Votes: SMU, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Arizona, North Texas

25 Duke Blue Devils

Record: 9-5
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Duke 42, Arizona State 39

24 Illinois Fighting Illini

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
Music City Bowl: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28

23 Iowa Hawkeyes

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27

22 Houston Cougars

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
Texas Bowl: Houston 38, LSU 35

21 Navy Midshipmen

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 22
Liberty Bowl: Navy 35, Cincinnati 13

20 James Madison Dukes

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 19
CFP First Round: Oregon 51, James Madison 34

19 Tulane Green Wave

Record: 11-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 17
CFP First Round: Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10

18 Michigan Wolverines

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 18
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas 41, Michigan 27

17 USC Trojans

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 16
Alamo Bowl: TCU 30, USC 27 OT

16 Vanderbilt Commodores

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 13
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27

15 Virginia Cavaliers

Record: 11-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 20
Gator Bowl: Virginia 13, Missouri 7

14 Utah Utes

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 15
Las Vegas Bowl: Utah 44, Nebraska 22

13 Oklahoma Sooners

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 8
CFP First Round: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24

12 Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 11-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 11
CFP Quarters Rose Bowl: Indiana 34, Alabama 3

11 Texas Longhorns

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 14
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas 41, Michigan 27

10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Record: 10-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 9
Regular Season Final: Notre Dame 49, Stanford 20

9 BYU Cougars

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 12
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21

8 Texas A&M Aggies

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 7
CFP First Round: Miami 10, Texas A&M 3

7 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 4
CFP Quarters Orange Bowl: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

6 Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 3
Cotton Bowl: Miami 24, Ohio State 14

5 Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 2
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34

4 Oregon Ducks

Record: 13-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 5
CFP Semifinal: Indiana 56, Oregon 22

3 Ole Miss Rebels

Record: 13-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 6
CFP Semifinal: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27

2 Miami Hurricanes

Record: 13-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 10
CFP National Championship: Indiana 27, Miami 21

1 Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 16-0
Final Regular Season Rank: 1
CFP National Championship: Indiana 27, Miami 21

This story was originally published by College Football News on Jan 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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