Texas and Penn State Fall from AP Top 25 Rankings
In a surprising turn, Texas and Penn State—preseason Nos. 1 and 2—have dropped out of the AP Top 25 after losses to unranked teams. This shake-up leaves Ohio State holding firm at No. 1, while Miami jumps to No. 2.
The latest AP Top 25 poll paints a lively picture, with teams making big moves and others facing setbacks. College football’s landscape feels as unpredictable as ever.
Ohio State Maintains Its Dominance
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Ohio State stays on top, grabbing 40 first-place votes. The Buckeyes’ strong start, including a win over Texas, helps them hold onto No. 1.
Some folks question their resume compared to Miami, but Ohio State’s play on the field keeps them at the top. It’s hard to argue with results, right?
Miami’s Meteoric Rise
After a huge win over Florida State, Miami rockets up to No. 2, collecting 21 first-place votes. The Hurricanes’ wins over Notre Dame, USF, Florida, and Florida State really boost their case.
Jumping past Oregon—now No. 3—shows just how strong Miami’s season has been. They’ve got momentum on their side.
SEC Teams Making Waves
The SEC keeps flexing its muscle. Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma now hold the No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 spots.
These teams have shown real strength, reinforcing the SEC’s reputation as a powerhouse. It’s always tough to count them out.
Indiana and Alabama Climbing the Ranks
Indiana climbs up to No. 7. Alabama, after beating Vanderbilt, sits at No. 8.
Their steady performances earn them top-10 spots, and honestly, it’s well deserved this year.
Texas Tech’s Historic Ranking
Texas Tech reaches No. 9, their highest since 2008—a season fans still talk about. The Red Raiders haven’t finished in the top 10 before, but this start gives them hope.
Georgia Rounding Out the Top 10
Georgia rounds out the top 10, staying steady with strong showings. The Bulldogs just keep hanging with the best.
Unprecedented Drop for Texas and Penn State
Texas and Penn State falling out of the top 25 is pretty rare. College Poll Archive says it’s only happened seven times that preseason Nos. 1 or 2 teams have been unranked during the season.
The last time? Preseason No. 1 USC in 2012. This is the first time both preseason Nos. 1 and 2 vanished from the rankings at the same time. Wild stuff.
Clemson Joins the Unranked
Clemson, who started at No. 4, also drops out. Now, three of the top four preseason teams are unranked. If that doesn’t sum up college football’s chaos, what does?
Teams Receiving Votes
Some teams are knocking on the door of the top 25:
- Cincinnati – 129 votes
- Texas – 111 votes
- Penn State – 97 votes
- Utah – 84 votes
- Nebraska – 60 votes
- USC – 46 votes
- UNLV – 19 votes
- North Texas – 16 votes
- TCU – 14 votes
- Washington – 10 votes
- Mississippi State – 10 votes
- Navy – 4 votes
- Louisville – 3 votes
- Auburn – 1 vote
Other Teams Considered
Ralph, one of the voters, also considered Nebraska, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Utah, Duke, Louisville, and Washington in his first ballot. It’s a crowded field, and honestly, that’s part of the fun.
Memphis Cracks the Top 25
Memphis sneaks into the top 25 for the first time this year, landing at No. 23. The Tigers, now 6-0, are the first bowl-eligible team in the country.
Their spot in the rankings feels well-earned, and maybe there’s more to come from them.
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Tennessee’s Trio of Ranked Teams
With Memphis joining, Tennessee now boasts three teams in the top 25. Vanderbilt stays ranked even after losing to Alabama, and the Volunteers sit at No. 12.
That’s a big deal for the state, showing off its depth in college football. Not something you see every season.
Upcoming Ranked Matchups
Some big-time games are coming up between ranked teams:
- No. 1 Ohio State at No. 17 Illinois – The Buckeyes have struggled historically against Illinois, with a 3-6 record in their first nine ranked meetings.
- No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon – Only the third meeting ever between these two, and Indiana won the last one in 2004.
- No. 8 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri – Alabama dominated their previous ranked matchups, winning both by a combined score of 76-13.
Red River Rivalry Loses Its Luster
This year, Texas heads into the annual Red River Rivalry unranked. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is trying to keep their spot near the top of the polls.
Still, the matchup draws plenty of attention in college football circles. It’s hard to ignore the energy around this game, even if it’s not quite as hyped as usual.
For more detailed insights and the latest updates on the AP Top 25 poll, check out the full article on The New York Times.