College football’s Week 6 chaos has reshaped the national picture, and CBS Sports analyst Danny Kanell has offered his fresh perspective — releasing his new Top 12 rankings that feature six teams from the powerhouse SEC but are topped by programs from the ACC and Big Ten.
Leading Kanell’s updated rankings is Miami, which continued its perfect season with a thrilling 28-22 victory over rival Florida State on Saturday night. The Hurricanes fended off a late rally from the Seminoles to improve to 5-0 and assert themselves as one of the country’s most complete teams under coach Mario Cristobal. The win also sent Florida State tumbling to its second loss, signaling a potential power shift in the ACC.
Just behind Miami sits Ohio State at No. 2, following the Buckeyes’ commanding primetime win over Minnesota. Oregon rounds out the top three, despite being idle in Week 6, as the Ducks prepare for their Week 7 home clash against Indiana. The Hoosiers, who also enjoyed a bye week, impressed Kanell enough to land at No. 5, marking one of the highest rankings in program history.
The top SEC representative in Kanell’s poll is Ole Miss at No. 4. The Rebels, also coming off a bye, are gearing up for a non-conference showdown with Washington State in Week 7. Texas A&M follows closely behind at No. 6, having remained unbeaten after dismantling Mississippi State in dominant fashion.
Rounding out Kanell’s Top 12 are several familiar names — Alabama and Missouri, both of whom will face off in a high-stakes SEC clash in Columbia this coming weekend. The Crimson Tide continue to gain momentum under quarterback Ty Simpson, while Missouri, ranked for the fourth consecutive week, aims to prove it belongs among the conference’s elite.
Kanell’s rankings reflect the growing parity across college football in 2025. With unbeaten teams still emerging and traditional powerhouses rediscovering form, the season’s second half promises fireworks.
As Week 7 approaches, Miami sits atop Kanell’s list — but with heavyweight battles looming in every major conference, the question remains: how long can the Hurricanes hold onto the crown?
