College Football Analysis and Explainers
How the Playoff works, what the polls measure and what decided the week — rankings, conference races and the road to the national title.
Every College Football National Champion Since 1936, and Who Has Won the Most
Alabama has 12 AP national titles, the most since the poll began in 1936. Every AP, coaches' poll, BCS and playoff champion, with splits and conferences.
About 15 of the AP Preseason Top 25 Are Still Ranked When the Season Ends
Since 1989, 62 percent of the AP preseason Top 25 finished the season ranked, and 52 percent since 2020. The biggest drops, risers and the 2026 poll so far.
The AP No. 1 Lost 101 Times in 58 Seasons, and Every Loss Cost It the Top Spot
The AP No. 1 lost 101 times in 58 seasons from 1968 to 2025, about 1.7 a season, and never kept the spot after a loss. Upsets, reigns and 2026's three losses.
18 of 91 Heisman Trophy Winners Played for the National Champion
Only 18 of 91 Heisman Trophy winners played for that season's national champion, 4 of 12 in the playoff era. Every winner's position, class and team finish.
The Playoff Has Taken Three-Loss Teams Twice, Both Since It Grew to 12
All 40 teams in the four-team College Football Playoff had one loss or none. In the 12-team era, 12 of 24 had two or three. Every team's record since 2014.
The AP Preseason No. 1 Has Won the Title 11 Times in 76 Seasons
The AP preseason No. 1 has won the national title in 11 of 76 seasons since 1950, and once in the playoff era. Every season, and Ohio State's 2026 start.
Everything college football on Vertize Sports
How the college football pages work: FBS games week by week in US Eastern, the AP Top 25 and Coaches polls, and how the 12-team Playoff field is chosen.