CBS Sports ranked all 138 FBS teams ahead of the 2026 season, and it appears they will update the rankings throughout the season. Following the 18-point loss to Boise State, Memphis fell seven spots to number 53 in this week’s updated rankings. Charles Huff’s team began the season ranked No. 72 in the poll, but they jumped up 26 spots after the week zero win over UNLV and the week 1 win over Arkansas State. CBS Sports didn’t update the rankings until after week 1, so the Tigers benefitted from the 2-0 start with the biggest jump in the first update. With the fall, Huff’s team finds themselves sandwiched between two other Group of Six schools. New Mexico, who beat FCS Mercyhurst 70-7, sits one spot ahead at No. 52, while San Diego State, who lost 28-20 to UCLA, is one spot behind them at No. 54. After the win over Memphis, Boise State moved up four spots to No. 27, and they’re the highest rated Group of Six team in the country, but there aren’t many G6 teams in the top 60. Only six G6 teams appear in the top 60, and the Tigers come in as the fourth highest ranked team among that group. UTSA is the only team from the American ahead of Memphis following a 2-0 start, and North Texas is the only other team inside the top 60. Huff’s squad doesn’t play either team during the regular season, meaning that the only way they would face either would be in the conference championship game. There are some interesting takeaways from other G6 teams in the rankings. Tulsa ranks No. 64 after wins over Oklahoma State and Tulsa, while new FBS member North Dakota State ranks No. 80 following a 3-0 start. The Bison start the season with wins over Jacksonville State, Fordham and a conference win over Air Force, but they dropped 12 spots after a six points win on the road against Air Force. The Tigers will host UT-Martin on Saturday, and it will be interesting to see how their ranking will move after playing an FCS opponent. After hosting the Skyhawks, Memphis will have an off week before traveling to North Carolina to start conference play. The 49ers started the season 0-2 with losses against The Citadel and Ole Miss, and they’re ranked dead last by CBS Sports. Here’s where the teams in the American rank in the updated poll from CBS Sports: #50 UTSA #53 Memphis #58 North Texas #64 Tulsa #67 Navy #78 Temple #82 USF #89 FAU #90 ECU #97 Army #104 Tulane #115 UAB #117 Rice #138 Charlotte
