{
  "spec": "pointcast.25-for-reasons/v1",
  "season": 2026,
  "title": "25 FOR REASONS",
  "subtitle": "A college-football poll with receipts.",
  "question": "If everybody played next Saturday, which 25 teams would we believe in most?",
  "cadence": {
    "review": "Each published edition dates its evidence and keeps the previous board.",
    "next": "Next edition after the next results review; no automatic publication is promised."
  },
  "methodology": [
    {
      "label": "Strength",
      "note": "Who we would trust on a neutral field next Saturday."
    },
    {
      "label": "Continuity",
      "note": "Quarterback, line, coordinator, and returning-production evidence."
    },
    {
      "label": "Path",
      "note": "Schedule leverage and the real route into the 12-team playoff."
    },
    {
      "label": "Accountability",
      "note": "Every case, doubt, and proof stays attached to the team all season."
    }
  ],
  "sale": {
    "name": "PointCast 25 / 2026 Founding Season Ticket",
    "priceUsd": 25,
    "recurring": false,
    "checkout": "https://pointcast.xyz/api/25/checkout",
    "checkoutMode": "hosted-external",
    "pointCastCardCapture": false,
    "promise": "Back the complete 2026 editorial season. The ranking and its receipts remain public; the ticket funds the weekly research, audio dispatches, and permanent season ledger."
  },
  "board": "002",
  "status": "week-5",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-29T22:55:00-07:00",
  "nextBoardAt": null,
  "asOf": "2026-09-29",
  "resultsThrough": "2026-09-26",
  "editionLabel": "Week 5 · September 29, 2026",
  "movementBaseline": "Board 001 · September 23, 2026. Movement is measured from the previous published PointCast board.",
  "editorialNote": "PointCast rankings are editorial judgments. Records and latest results are from the September 27 AP poll archive; this is a September 29 review, not a live score feed.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "September 27 AP poll, records and September 26 results",
      "publisher": "College Poll Archive",
      "url": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272",
      "checkedAt": "2026-09-29"
    },
    {
      "label": "September 27 AP Top 25 independent cross-check",
      "publisher": "LSU Athletics",
      "url": "https://lsusports.net/news/2026/09/27/sept-27-2026-football-national-rankings",
      "checkedAt": "2026-09-29"
    },
    {
      "label": "Florida 52, Ole Miss 28",
      "publisher": "Ole Miss Athletics",
      "url": "https://olemisssports.com/news/2026/9/27/football-vs-florida-fresh-off-the-field",
      "checkedAt": "2026-09-29"
    }
  ],
  "teams": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "school": "Texas",
      "short": "TEX",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "—",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#bf5700",
      "reason": "A pressured road finish keeps Texas first.",
      "case": "Winning in Knoxville with a tight fourth quarter answers last week’s travel question.",
      "doubt": "Seventeen points leave an offense that still has to separate from elite defenses.",
      "proof": "Turn a difficult road win into sustained scoring against another top opponent.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 20–17 at Tennessee",
      "previousRank": 1,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #1 → #1. A pressured road finish keeps Texas first.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "school": "Georgia",
      "short": "UGA",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "—",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#ba0c2f",
      "reason": "Georgia made the second chair look too small.",
      "case": "A decisive result over Oklahoma is the strongest whole-game control near the top.",
      "doubt": "One dominant home result does not establish the entire SEC path.",
      "proof": "Carry this control into a difficult road setting.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 41–13 vs Oklahoma",
      "previousRank": 2,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #2 → #2. Georgia made the second chair look too small.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "school": "Florida",
      "short": "FLA",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "+15",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#fa4616",
      "reason": "Florida answered the question our No. 18 asked too quietly.",
      "case": "A 24-point win over our No. 3 team is a serious neutral-field argument, not merely a poll jump.",
      "doubt": "The defense still allowed 28; one emotional home statement is not a complete season.",
      "proof": "Keep the physical edge when the opponent and venue change.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 52–28 vs Ole Miss",
      "previousRank": 18,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #18 → #3. Florida answered the question our No. 18 asked too quietly.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "school": "Notre Dame",
      "short": "ND",
      "conference": "Independent",
      "movement": "—",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#c99700",
      "reason": "A road rout keeps Notre Dame in title weather.",
      "case": "The Irish handled their road assignment without turning it into a fourth-quarter negotiation.",
      "doubt": "Purdue is not the strongest test on the remaining title path.",
      "proof": "Show the same command against a more demanding opponent.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 49–10 at Purdue",
      "previousRank": 4,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #4 → #4. A road rout keeps Notre Dame in title weather.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "school": "Alabama",
      "short": "ALA",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "+4",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#9e1b32",
      "reason": "The offense is loud; the defensive bill got smaller.",
      "case": "A convincing SEC result makes last week’s 36 points allowed look less like a permanent condition.",
      "doubt": "The next opponent can still challenge the middle of this defense.",
      "proof": "Repeat the cleaner two-sided game against a ranked SEC team.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 49–18 vs South Carolina",
      "previousRank": 9,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #9 → #5. The offense is loud; the defensive bill got smaller.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "school": "Miami",
      "short": "MIA",
      "conference": "ACC",
      "movement": "-1",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#f47321",
      "reason": "Miami handled the assignment and waits for a sharper one.",
      "case": "Four wins and a comprehensive 52–3 result preserve a credible title case.",
      "doubt": "Central Michigan does not resolve the ceiling against the best teams.",
      "proof": "Win a high-leverage conference game without relying on the opponent’s mistakes.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 52–3 vs Central Michigan",
      "previousRank": 5,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #5 → #6. Miami handled the assignment and waits for a sharper one.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "school": "Indiana",
      "short": "IND",
      "conference": "Big Ten",
      "movement": "-1",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#990000",
      "reason": "The champion survived; the margin invites a harder look.",
      "case": "The unbeaten record and prior continuity still matter when a conference game tightens.",
      "doubt": "Northwestern staying within six makes automatic title trust harder to defend.",
      "proof": "Create separation against the next quality opponent.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 29–23 vs Northwestern",
      "previousRank": 6,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #6 → #7. The champion survived; the margin invites a harder look.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 8,
      "school": "Ohio State",
      "short": "OSU",
      "conference": "Big Ten",
      "movement": "-1",
      "signal": "title-weather",
      "accent": "#ba0c2f",
      "reason": "Ohio State is moving from reputation toward repair.",
      "case": "A 23-point conference win shows the post-loss adjustment is taking shape.",
      "doubt": "One loss and a home response still leave the road version uncertain.",
      "proof": "Take this defensive and offensive balance to Iowa.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 42–19 vs Illinois",
      "previousRank": 7,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #7 → #8. Ohio State is moving from reputation toward repair.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "school": "LSU",
      "short": "LSU",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "+2",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#461d7c",
      "reason": "The response to Oxford was emphatic.",
      "case": "Holding Texas A&M to six and winning by 29 is more useful than asking everyone to forget Ole Miss.",
      "doubt": "A&M had already lost at home to Kentucky, which limits the size of the inference.",
      "proof": "Repeat the defensive control against an opponent with a stronger recent résumé.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 35–6 vs Texas A&M",
      "previousRank": 11,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #11 → #9. The response to Oxford was emphatic.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "school": "BYU",
      "short": "BYU",
      "conference": "Big 12",
      "movement": "-2",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#002e5d",
      "reason": "BYU keeps its place while the live evidence catches up.",
      "case": "An unbeaten 3–0 foundation and the earlier road win survive an idle week.",
      "doubt": "A week off supplies no new proof against the teams now rising around it.",
      "proof": "Win the next demanding Big 12 game on the field.",
      "record": "3-0",
      "lastResult": "DNP",
      "previousRank": 8,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #8 → #10. BYU keeps its place while the live evidence catches up.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 11,
      "school": "Texas Tech",
      "short": "TTU",
      "conference": "Big 12",
      "movement": "-1",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#cc0000",
      "reason": "The scoreboard finally supplied separation.",
      "case": "A 35-point win is a better follow-up to the Houston escape than another narrow finish.",
      "doubt": "Sam Houston is not the toughest test in this tier.",
      "proof": "Turn the same scoring margin into control against a Big 12 contender.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 49–14 vs Sam Houston",
      "previousRank": 10,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #10 → #11. The scoreboard finally supplied separation.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 12,
      "school": "Ole Miss",
      "short": "MISS",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "-9",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#ce1126",
      "reason": "Oxford counted; Gainesville set its limit.",
      "case": "The LSU win remains evidence that the Rebels can beat a strong opponent.",
      "doubt": "The first road game produced a 24-point loss and directly failed last board’s next proof.",
      "proof": "Respond away from home against a credible opponent with four-quarter composure.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "L 28–52 at Florida",
      "previousRank": 3,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #3 → #12. Oxford counted; Gainesville set its limit.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 13,
      "school": "Mississippi State",
      "short": "MSST",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "+9",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#660000",
      "reason": "The road surprise now has a home follow-up.",
      "case": "Beating Missouri after winning at South Carolina gives the ascent a second SEC result.",
      "doubt": "A seven-point home margin leaves the defensive floor open to challenge.",
      "proof": "Keep the unbeaten run through a higher-ranked opponent.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 31–24 vs Missouri",
      "previousRank": 22,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #22 → #13. The road surprise now has a home follow-up.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 14,
      "school": "Oregon",
      "short": "ORE",
      "conference": "Big Ten",
      "movement": "+6",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#148e3d",
      "reason": "The repair job has a road receipt.",
      "case": "A two-touchdown win at USC is the quality result the July No. 4 argument lacked.",
      "doubt": "The earlier loss remains on the record, and 27 conceded is not complete control.",
      "proof": "Repeat the road quality against another conference heavyweight.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 41–27 at USC",
      "previousRank": 20,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #20 → #14. The repair job has a road receipt.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 15,
      "school": "Utah",
      "short": "UTAH",
      "conference": "Big 12",
      "movement": "-2",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#cc0000",
      "reason": "Utah keeps building its floor on the road.",
      "case": "An unbeaten start and a two-touchdown Big 12 road win make the post-Whittingham transition look sturdier.",
      "doubt": "The highest offensive ceiling still needs a more severe test.",
      "proof": "Beat a contender without losing that defensive discipline.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 31–17 at Iowa State",
      "previousRank": 13,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #13 → #15. Utah keeps building its floor on the road.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 16,
      "school": "Iowa",
      "short": "IOWA",
      "conference": "Big Ten",
      "movement": "+1",
      "signal": "playoff-weather",
      "accent": "#fcd116",
      "reason": "The last play made the road argument real.",
      "case": "An unbeaten record and a one-point win in Ann Arbor deserve credit for composure.",
      "doubt": "One point is also how close the result was to turning the other way.",
      "proof": "Give Ohio State a full-game test, not only a memorable finish.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 20–19 at Michigan",
      "previousRank": 17,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #17 → #16. The last play made the road argument real.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 17,
      "school": "Tennessee",
      "short": "TENN",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "-2",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#ff8200",
      "reason": "The loss to No. 1 still carries useful evidence.",
      "case": "A three-point home loss to Texas showed Tennessee can force an elite opponent to solve it late.",
      "doubt": "The offense scored only 17 and did not finish the upset.",
      "proof": "Turn competitive pressure into a win against another ranked opponent.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "L 17–20 vs Texas",
      "previousRank": 15,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #15 → #17. The loss to No. 1 still carries useful evidence.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 18,
      "school": "Houston",
      "short": "HOU",
      "conference": "Big 12",
      "movement": "+7",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#c8102e",
      "reason": "Houston made the close loss look less accidental.",
      "case": "The two-point loss at Texas Tech now sits beside a 14-point road response.",
      "doubt": "Georgia Southern does not confirm top-tier Big 12 strength.",
      "proof": "Beat a conference opponent with cleaner defensive control.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 42–28 at Georgia Southern",
      "previousRank": 25,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #25 → #18. Houston made the close loss look less accidental.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 19,
      "school": "USC",
      "short": "USC",
      "conference": "Big Ten",
      "movement": "-7",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#990000",
      "reason": "The defensive bill came due against Oregon.",
      "case": "Four earlier wins still give USC a plausible conference path.",
      "doubt": "Forty-one conceded at home confirms the doubt attached to Board 001.",
      "proof": "Hold a quality Big Ten offense below its preferred tempo and win.",
      "record": "4-1",
      "lastResult": "L 27–41 vs Oregon",
      "previousRank": 12,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #12 → #19. The defensive bill came due against Oregon.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 20,
      "school": "SMU",
      "short": "SMU",
      "conference": "ACC",
      "movement": "+3",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#0033a0",
      "reason": "SMU steadied the record without closing the case.",
      "case": "A ten-point win after the Louisville loss keeps the Mustangs in the conversation.",
      "doubt": "Missouri State cannot settle the ranked-opponent question.",
      "proof": "Beat an ACC contender on both sides of the ball.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 34–24 vs Missouri State",
      "previousRank": 23,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #23 → #20. SMU steadied the record without closing the case.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 21,
      "school": "Kentucky",
      "short": "UK",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "NEW",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#0033a0",
      "reason": "Kentucky’s A&M win deserves a seat at this table.",
      "case": "A decisive follow-up gives the Texas A&M road upset continuity.",
      "doubt": "The latest opponent does not prove the same level of SEC repeatability.",
      "proof": "Get a second conference win that stands on its own.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 45–21 vs South Alabama",
      "previousRank": null,
      "movementReason": "New to Board 002 after the September 26 results. Kentucky’s A&M win deserves a seat at this table.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 22,
      "school": "UCLA",
      "short": "UCLA",
      "conference": "BIG TEN",
      "movement": "NEW",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#2774ae",
      "reason": "An unbeaten road rout earns a first PointCast look.",
      "case": "A 51-point win away from home is hard to leave outside the conversation.",
      "doubt": "The schedule has not yet supplied a ranked opponent.",
      "proof": "Show the same structure against a strong Big Ten team.",
      "record": "4-0",
      "lastResult": "W 54–3 at Maryland",
      "previousRank": null,
      "movementReason": "New to Board 002 after the September 26 results. An unbeaten road rout earns a first PointCast look.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 23,
      "school": "Oklahoma State",
      "short": "OKST",
      "conference": "BIG 12",
      "movement": "NEW",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#ff7300",
      "reason": "A road win makes the comeback visible.",
      "case": "Three straight victories and a 17-point Big 12 road result support a new entry.",
      "doubt": "The earlier loss and quality of opposition keep this in the fault-line group.",
      "proof": "Defeat a top-half Big 12 opponent without a fourth-quarter rescue.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 41–24 at West Virginia",
      "previousRank": null,
      "movementReason": "New to Board 002 after the September 26 results. A road win makes the comeback visible.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 24,
      "school": "Missouri",
      "short": "MIZ",
      "conference": "SEC",
      "movement": "-3",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#b89b36",
      "reason": "The first loss narrows Missouri’s opening claim.",
      "case": "The unbeaten opening still gave Missouri a usable base before Starkville.",
      "doubt": "Losing the first consequential SEC comparison leaves the ceiling in doubt.",
      "proof": "Answer the loss with a ranked-conference win.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "L 24–31 at Mississippi State",
      "previousRank": 21,
      "movementReason": "Board 001: #21 → #24. The first loss narrows Missouri’s opening claim.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    },
    {
      "rank": 25,
      "school": "Boise State",
      "short": "BOI",
      "conference": "Pac-12",
      "movement": "NEW",
      "signal": "fault-line",
      "accent": "#0033a0",
      "reason": "The Broncos return with a credible road margin.",
      "case": "Three straight wins after the Oregon loss include a 25-point road result.",
      "doubt": "The schedule still needs a stronger proof than Western Michigan.",
      "proof": "Win a game that tests the Group of Six ceiling directly.",
      "record": "3-1",
      "lastResult": "W 32–7 at Western Michigan",
      "previousRank": null,
      "movementReason": "New to Board 002 after the September 26 results. The Broncos return with a credible road margin.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=1272"
    }
  ]
}