Super 16 Poll: Top Four Unchanged, But Vols Climb To No. 5

September 22, 2024 by FWAA, NFF, CollegeFootballPoll.com

The top four teams in the poll stayed the same, with No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama idle and No. 3 Ohio State beating Marshall. Texas remained No. 1 for a second straight week behind backup quarterback Arch Manning in an easy 51-3 victory over UL-Monroe.

The 54 voters are members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) or college football hall-of-famers, and include CollegeFootballPoll.com's Dave Congrove.

With a 25-15 victory at previously No. 13 Oklahoma, Tennessee edged up to No. 5 with Ole Miss slipping to No. 6. Ole Miss was followed by Miami (FL), Oregon, Penn State and Utah in the Top 10. All winners over the weekend.

Missouri, surviving a double-overtime scare against Vanderbilt, held its No. 11 spot, followed by Michigan, USC, Louisville, LSU and Clemson. Louisville was in the poll the first time this season, and Clemson the first time since the preseason poll.

Michigan's victory over USC allowed the Wolverines back in the poll after a one-week absence. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Kansas State all dropped out of the poll after losses to Utah, Tennessee and BYU, respectively.

The SEC led all conferences with seven teams, followed by the Big Ten with five, the ACC with three and the Big 12 with one. 

Congrove Ballot

Congrove's ballot this week included no movement by idle teams Oregon, Alabama and Georgia.

Tennessee moved from 9 to 6 on his ballot while Oklahoma only goes down one spot from13 to14. He moves USC from 7 to 13 and re-inserts Michigan at No. 12, just one spot ahead of the Trojans.

Here is his entire Top 16 ballot:

(1) Texas, (2) Ole Miss, (3) Ohio State, (4) Georgia, (5) Oregon, (6) Tennessee, (7) Utah, (8) Alabama, (9) Penn State, (10) Miami, FL. (11) Missouri, (12) Michigan, (13) USC, (14) Oklahoma, (15) Louisville, (16) Iowa State.

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll

Rank Team Pts. 1st LW
1. Texas (4-0) 842 36 1
2. Georgia (3-0) 802 16 2
3. Ohio State (3-0) 754 2 3
4. Alabama (3-0) 679   4
5. Tennessee (4-0) 630   6
6. Ole Miss (4-0) 588   5
7. Miami-FL (4-0) 530   7
8. Oregon (3-0) 462   8
9. Penn State (3-0) 453   9
10. Utah (4-0) 349   12
11. Missouri (4-0) 316   11
12. Michigan (3-1) 234   N/A
13. USC (2-1) 139   10
14. Louisville (3-0) 98   N/A
15. LSU (3-1) 81   16
16. Clemson (2-1) 78   N/A

Also Receiving Votes

Notre Dame (71), Iowa State (62), Illinois (48), BYU (28), Oklahoma (27), Kansas State (23), Oklahoma State (16), Texas A&M (10), Indiana (7), Rutgers (4), Nebraska (4), UCF (4), Pittsburgh (3), UNLV (2)..

This Week's Schedule for Ranked Teams

Mississippi State at No. 1 Texas
No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama
No. 3 Ohio State at Michigan State
No. 5 Tennessee is idle
Kentucky at No. 6 Ole Miss
Virginia Tech at No. 7 Miami, Fla. (Friday night)
No. 8 Oregon at UCLA
Illinois at No. 9 Penn State
Arizona at No. 10 Utah
No. 11 Missouri is idle
Minnesota at No. 12 Michigan
Wisconsin at No. 13 USC
No. 14 Louisville at Notre Dame
South Alabama at No. 15 LSU
Stanford at No. 16 Clemson

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by two 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 2023 season. The individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, September 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, December 8. The poll utilizes a computer program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings and the Cody Kellner Points Index to publish the individual votes.

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.

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. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.