Last updated: October 31, 2026
The college hockey rankings have a new look heading into Halloween weekend. Michigan stayed No. 1 in the USCHO.com poll released Oct. 26, Wisconsin jumped from No. 6 to No. 2, and North Dakota fell from No. 3 to No. 8 after a sweep by Minnesota. Here is the full USCHO top 10 and the biggest series of the weekend, including Michigan State vs. North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Austin.
Quick summary
- No. 1: Michigan, which plays at Ohio State this weekend.
- Biggest riser: Wisconsin, up four spots to No. 2.
- Biggest drop: North Dakota, down five spots to No. 8.
- Must-watch: No. 4 Michigan State vs. No. 8 North Dakota in Austin, and No. 5 Providence vs. No. 10 Quinnipiac on Halloween.
USCHO men’s Division I top 10 (Oct. 26, 2026)
- Michigan (unchanged)
- Wisconsin (up from No. 6)
- Denver (up from No. 4)
- Michigan State (down from No. 2)
- Providence (up from No. 7)
- Western Michigan (down from No. 5)
- Minnesota Duluth (up from No. 9)
- North Dakota (down from No. 3)
- Colorado College (up from No. 12)
- Quinnipiac (down from No. 8)
Rankings and notes via The Hockey News; full poll at USCHO.com.
What happened last weekend
Michigan holds on
Michigan kept the top spot after beating Western Michigan on a buzzer-beater from Will Horcoff, a result that also dropped the Broncos one spot to No. 6.
Denver and Providence climb
Denver beat Boston College 5-2 on Friday and tied the Eagles on Saturday before losing the shootout, good enough to move up to No. 3. Providence beat UMass Lowell 3-0 behind a Jack Parsons shutout and rose to No. 5.
Duluth and Colorado College surge
Minnesota Duluth swept Bemidji State, with Ty Hanson putting up four points, and moved up to No. 7. Colorado College swept Air Force 6-2 and 4-0 after sweeping UMass the week before, jumping three spots to No. 9.
North Dakota and Michigan State slip
North Dakota was swept by Minnesota and dropped five spots. Michigan State split at New Hampshire and fell from No. 2 to No. 4. Quinnipiac lost 4-3 in overtime to Army and slid to No. 10.
Halloween weekend series to watch
Michigan State vs. North Dakota: U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game (Austin)
Two top-10 programs meet in Texas on Halloween, a showcase game for college hockey in a non-traditional market. Both teams are looking to bounce back after last weekend.
No. 1 Michigan at Ohio State
The top-ranked Wolverines hit the road for a Big Ten rivalry series. Our Big Ten men’s hockey schedule has every conference date.
🗳️ Vote: Oct. 31 game | Nov. 1 game
Notre Dame at No. 2 Wisconsin
Wisconsin hosts Notre Dame starting Oct. 30, the Badgers’ first chance to defend their new spot near the top.
🗳️ Vote: Oct. 30 game | Oct. 31 game
No. 7 Minnesota Duluth at No. 9 Colorado College
A ranked NCHC matchup between two of the hottest teams in the poll. Duluth will be without Max Plante, who is out with an upper-body injury.
No. 10 Quinnipiac at No. 5 Providence
Providence hosts Quinnipiac on Halloween in a ranked meeting between two of the East’s best. See the Hockey East schedule for the Friars’ full slate.
🗳️ Vote: Make your prediction for Quinnipiac vs. Providence
No. 3 Denver vs. Omaha
Denver hosts Omaha on Friday as the Pioneers look to keep climbing.
How the USCHO poll works
The USCHO.com Division I men’s poll is a weekly vote of coaches and media during the season. It isn’t used to pick the NCAA tournament field, which relies on the PairWise rankings, but it’s the most-watched weekly snapshot of the sport. Early-season polls move a lot, as this week showed, because teams are still playing nonconference series against a wide range of opponents.
Players to know
For the players behind these teams, read our guide to college hockey players to watch in 2026-27, and make your predictions for this weekend’s games on RallyFuel predictions.
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FAQ
Who is No. 1 in college hockey right now?
Michigan is No. 1 in the USCHO.com Division I men’s poll released Oct. 26, 2026.
Where is the 2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game?
The game is in Austin, Texas, on Halloween, with Michigan State facing North Dakota.
Which team moved up the most in the USCHO poll?
Wisconsin jumped four spots, from No. 6 to No. 2, and Colorado College moved up three to No. 9.
Is the USCHO poll used for the NCAA tournament?
No. The NCAA tournament field is based on the PairWise rankings, not the USCHO poll.
