Week 8: Games Played Through October 23, 2021

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Penn State (41), Baylor (35), SMU (26), Auburn (18), Iowa State (14), San Diego State (14), Central Michigan (10), Arizona State (6), UTSA (4), Arkansas (3), NC State (1).

To see how individuals voted in this week’s poll, CLICK HERE.

NOTES:
Idle Georgia received all 52 first-place votes for the second straight week in the poll, while only minor changes occurred directly beneath the Bulldogs. No. 2 Cincinnati a week ago, fell a spot to No. 3 after a narrow victory at unranked Navy.

Alabama rose two spots to No. 2 after dispatching Tennessee by 28 points. Oklahoma struggled with Kansas in Lawrence and fell from No. 3 to No. 4. Nos. 5-6-7 (Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State) remained in the same order. No. 8 Oklahoma State lost at Iowa State and fell six spots to No. 14.

Penn State, No. 9 last week, dropped completely out of the poll after suffering a home loss to Illinois. Coastal Carolina also dropped out of the poll after losing to Appalachian State.

Texas A&M re-entered the poll at No. 15, and Pittsburgh debuted in the poll for the first time in school history at No. 16 after beating Clemson.

The SEC led all conferences with five teams, followed by the Big Ten with four and the ACC and Big 12 with two each. The American, Independents and Pac-12 had one team each.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
No. 1 Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
No. 2 Alabama is idle
No. 3 Cincinnati at Tulane
Texas Tech at No. 4 Oklahoma
Penn State at No. 5 Ohio State
No. 6 Michigan at No. 7 Michigan State
Colorado at No. 8 Oregon
No. 9 Ole Miss at Auburn
No. 10 Iowa at Wisconsin
North Carolina at No. 11 Notre Dame
Duke at No. 12 Wake Forest
No. 13  Kentucky at Mississippi State
Kansas at No. 14 Oklahoma State 
No. 15 Texas A&M is idle
Miami, Fl. at No. 16 Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Sunday of the 2021 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 7 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 5. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a computer program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings, and The JBoy Show is the official Media Partner of the poll.

ABOUT THE FWAA: Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com. 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

Week 4: Games Played Through September 25, 2021

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Coastal Carolina (46), Clemson (35), Wake Forest (23), Fresno State (14), Oklahoma State (13), Baylor (11), NC State (10), Texas (9), Boston College (5), North Carolina (5), UCLA (5), Auburn (3), Maryland (2), SMU (1).

To see how individuals voted in this week’s poll, CLICK HERE.

NOTES:
Alabama, Georgia and Oregon remained 1-3, with the Crimson Tide (46) and the Bulldogs (six) splitting the 52 first-place votes once again. Iowa and Penn State each moved up a slot to Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, as Oklahoma fell two spots to No. 6.

After losing at unranked North Carolina State, Clemson, No. 8 last week, fell completely out of the poll. Texas A&M, No. 7 last week, was upset by Arkansas in Arlington, TX  and dropped all the way to No. 16. With the victory, Arkansas jumped into the poll for the first time this season at No. 10. Michigan State was the other first-time team in the poll this season as Iowa State’s loss at Baylor dropped the Cyclones out of the poll.

The SEC (six teams) and Big Ten (five teams) accounted for 11 of the 16 spots in the poll. Independents had two teams. The American, Big 12 and Pac-12 had one team each. 

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
No. 12 Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama
No. 10 Arkansas at No. 2 Georgia
No.3 Oregon at Stanford
No. 4 Iowa at Maryland (Friday)
Indiana at No. 5 Penn State
No. 6 Oklahoma at Kansas State
No. 7 Cincinnati at No. 8 Notre Dame
No. 9 Florida at Kentucky
No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers
No. 13 Michigan at Wisconsin
No. 14 BYU at Utah State (Friday)
Western Kentucky at No. 15 Michigan State
Mississippi State at No. 16 Texas A&M.

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Sunday of the 2021 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 7 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 5. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a computer program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings, and The JBoy Show is the official Media Partner of the poll.

ABOUT THE FWAA: Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com. 
.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

Week 2: Games Played Through September 11, 2021

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:
Coastal Carolina (40), Wisconsin (38), Michigan (32), Arkansas (32), BYU (15), North Carolina (13), USC (7), UCF (7), Arizona State (6), Stanford (6), Auburn (4), TCU (4), Michigan State (3), Pittsburgh (2), Kentucky (2), Miami-FL (1), Liberty (1), Nevada (1).

Click here to see how individuals voted in this week’s poll.

NOTES:
Alabama and Georgia remained 1-2 in the second regular-season poll, but No. 3 Ohio State tumbled six places to No. 9 after suffering a home defeat to Oregon. The Ducks, No. 12 a week ago, jumped eight spots to No. 4 after notching an impressive 35-28 victory in Columbus.

After Ohio State’s defeat, Oklahoma moved into the third slot after dispatching Western Carolina. Iowa won an instate showdown against Iowa State and moved up seven spots to No. 6. Notre Dame dropped five spots to No. 12 after struggling to beat Toledo.

The rest of the poll had only minor changes, but two teams did drop out–USC and Texas. The Trojans were beaten by Stanford, and Texas lost on the road to Arkansas. Entering the poll for the first time this season are  Virginia Tech and  Ole Miss, tied at No. 15.

The SEC led all conferences with five teams, followed by the Big Ten with three and the Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC with two each. The American and Independents had one each.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE: 

No. 1 Alabama at  No. 11 Florida
South Carolina at No. 2 Georgia
Nebraska at No. 3 Oklahoma
Stony Brook at No. 4 Oregon
Georgia Tech at No. 5 Clemson
Kent State at No. 6 Iowa
New Mexico at No. 7 Texas A&M
No, 8 Cincinnati at Indiana
Tulsa at No. 9 Ohio State
Auburn at No. 10 Penn State
Purdue at No. 12 Notre Dame
Fresno State at No.13 UCLA
No. 14 Iowa State at UNLV
No. 15 Virginia Tech at West Virginia
Tulane at No.15 Mississippi 

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Sunday of the 2021 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 7 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 5. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a computer program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings, and The JBoy Show is the official Media Partner of the poll.

ABOUT THE FWAA: Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com. 
.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:
Washington (45), Indiana (43), Penn State (30), Iowa (20), Utah (17), Texas (16), Ole Miss (8), TCU (8), Northwestern (7), Liberty (7), Arizona State (7), Florida State (5), BYU (5), Coastal Carolina (4), Oklahoma State (3), Louisiana (3), Auburn (2), Boston College (1).

NOTES:
Defending national champion Alabama dominated the preseason poll with 35 of 52 first-place votes. Clemson was second in the poll voting, 66 points behind Alabama, with other perennial powerhouses Oklahoma and Ohio State following in that order.

Georgia, the only team to receive first-place votes other than the top four, was No. 5, followed by Texas A&M, Iowa State, Notre Dame, North Carolina and Cincinnati as the top 10 vote-getters. The Bearcats were the only non-Power Five team in the poll.

If the opening poll is reflective of what will happen at the conclusion of the 2021 season, then college football will see more of the same from recent seasons. Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State have accounted for 11 of the 14 spots in the seven CFP National Championships. And Oklahoma has made three semifinal game appearances during that stretch.

In the 2021 preseason poll, the SEC led all conferences with five teams and was followed by the ACC with three teams. The Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 had two teams each, the American one and Independents one.  

GAMES WEEK 0:
No games involving Top 16 Teams 

GAMES WEEK 1 (Sept. 2-5):
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Miami [FL] – Sept. 4 (Atlanta)
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 5 Georgia  – Sept. 4 (Charlotte)
No. 3 Oklahoma at Tulane – Sept. 4
No. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota – Sept. 2
Kent State at No. 6 Texas A&M – Sept. 4
Northern Iowa at No.7 Iowa State – Sept. 4
No. 8 Notre Dame at Florida State – Sept. 5
No. 9 North Carolina at Virginia Tech – Sept. 3
Miami [OH] at No. 10 Cincinnati – Sept. 4
Fresno State at No. 11 Oregon – Sept. 4
Florida Atlantic at No. 12 Florida – Sept. 4
Penn State at No. 13 Wisconsin – Sept. 4
No. 14 LSU at UCLA  – Sept. 4
San Jose State at No. 15 USC – Sept. 4

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16-POLL:
The FWAA-NFF Super 16-Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013-season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16-teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Sunday of the 2021-season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public here. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 7-(to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 5. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a computer program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings. The JBoy Show is the official Media Partner of the poll.

ABOUT THE FWAA:
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit http://www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME:
Founded in 1947-with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at http://www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.