College Football Report Card: Best and worst teams, biggest surprise, top transfer

September has come to an end, and next up is the crucial middle segment of the regular season. This is where the contenders emerge, pretenders are unveiled, and a clear group rises to the top in the pursuit of the College Football Playoff. But first, let's review the first month of the 2026 season with some accolades in the Bowl Subdivision.

The title of the best team is up for debate among several candidates. While No. 1 Texas boasts two top-level wins, the team with the best résumé is Georgia. The Bulldogs have won four games by a combined 166 points, including victories against Arkansas and Oklahoma. They boast the highest scoring average at 54.8 points per game and second nationally in yards per play at 8.2.

In the Group of Six, Boise State stands as the frontrunner heading into the Pac-12 schedule. They recently defeated Memphis and Western Michigan, giving them a considerable advantage over other contenders. Boise also had a tight game against No. 15 Oregon in the opener before losing by a touchdown.

In terms of most improved teams, Mississippi State (No. 16) and UCLA (No. 23) have been significant standouts. Mississippi State rebounded from a disappointing bowl game last season, while UCLA has shown impressive progress under first-year coach Bob Chesney, similar to Indiana's surge in 2024.

The worst Power Four team of the month is Rutgers, with a single win to their name. They've struggled against top opponents like No. 18 Southern California and Howard, but have shown improvement recently.

As for the Heisman Trophy favorite, Ohio State's wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been exceptional, earning the award without adding yardage or impact as a runner or returner. He has been everything expected of him and more, delivering 217 yards and four touchdowns in the Buckeyes' win against Illinois.

The quarterback of the Heisman Trophy moment is Texas's Arch Manning, who led his team to a 21-point fourth quarter and win against Ohio State. Despite his name recognition and status as the starter for the nation's top-ranked team, Manning's numbers in Power Four matchups are not in his favor, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Steve Sarkisian, Texas' coach, is recognized as the best coach of the month. His team's victory against Ohio State and his efforts in transferring players have been instrumental in their consistent and depth-filled performance.

Florida's Jon Sumrall, as the best first-year coach, deserves recognition, as his team has scored at least 40 points in each of the first four games, a feat not seen since 2001. Jonah's performance has proven Florida football is back on track.

The biggest surprise of September is the Big Ten's struggles. Despite having strong teams, the league's reputation has been tarnished due to a series of losses, including the Buckeyes to Texas, Indiana's inconsistent start, Oregon's defeat to Oklahoma State, Penn State's loss to Wisconsin, and Michigan's controversial win against Western Michigan. Currently, the league is projected to be a three-team playoff competition.

Oklahoma's biggest disappointment comes from their disappointing season, following an at-large playoff bid last year. They've had an avoidable loss to Michigan, an ugly win against New Mexico, and a revealing loss to Georgia, leaving their focus now on securing bowl eligibility.