The Associated Press college football poll experienced significant upheaval this week, highlighted by Texas reclaiming the No. 1 spot after a one-week absence. The Longhorns’ rise comes in the wake of Vanderbilt’s stunning upset of Alabama, which sent the Crimson Tide tumbling from the top position to No. 7. This marked a notable drop for Alabama, reminiscent of Ohio State’s fall to No. 11 in 2010 after a loss to Wisconsin, showcasing the unpredictability of college football.
Texas, benefiting from a bye week, secured 52 of the 61 first-place votes, making it the first team in two years to alternate in and out of the top position across three polls. Notably, they became only the third team since 2008 to achieve a No. 1 ranking without playing the previous week. Meanwhile, Ohio State, following a decisive victory over Iowa, climbed to No. 2, earning nine first-place votes.
The reshuffled rankings saw Oregon and Penn State each rise three spots, landing at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, while Georgia held steady at No. 5. Miami’s dramatic comeback win against California propelled them up two spots to No. 6, demonstrating the week’s volatility across the board.
The chaos wasn’t confined to Alabama. Six of the 18 AP Top 25 teams that played lost to unranked opponents, the highest percentage since October 2020. Notably, Tennessee fell from No. 4 to No. 8 after losing to Arkansas, and Michigan’s loss to Washington sent them plummeting from No. 10 to No. 24. Southern California’s defeat at the hands of Minnesota marked their exit from the Top 25, underscoring a challenging week for the SEC and the Pac-12 alike.
Among the only highlights for the ranked teams was Texas A&M’s impressive victory over Missouri, elevating the Aggies from a tie for No. 25 to No. 15. This matchup resulted in Missouri’s significant drop from No. 9 to No. 21, highlighting the week’s substantial swings in the rankings. The SEC remains well-represented in the top 10, featuring Texas and Georgia alongside Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, while the Big Ten dominates with Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State.
This week’s poll also noted the remarkable double-digit drops of teams like Michigan, Missouri, and USC, marking the first time since 2016 that three teams fell by 10 or more spots in a single poll. The rankings also welcomed new entrants, with SMU making a return at No. 25 after defeating Louisville, and Pittsburgh entering at No. 22, starting their season at 5-0 for the first time since 1991.
Overall, the latest AP poll illustrates the unpredictable nature of college football, where one week can dramatically alter the landscape, affecting rankings and playoff aspirations alike. As teams regroup and prepare for the next set of challenges, the only certainty is that the race for the top spot remains fiercely competitive.
