The latest edition of the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll reveals several key shifts and notable storylines as teams approach the final stretch of the regular season. Oregon, the consensus No. 1 team, remains firmly atop the rankings for the fifth consecutive week after a nail-biting 16-13 victory over Wisconsin. This marks their third win of the season decided by three points or fewer, demonstrating the Ducks’ resilience despite not scoring more than 20 points for the first time in 37 games. Oregon’s win ensures they continue to hold the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings as well, with an eye on completing their first perfect regular season since 2010, which could be clinched in two weeks when they face Washington at home.
Behind Oregon, Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State remain in the top four, unchanged from the previous week, while Indiana jumps to No. 5. The Hoosiers’ rise sets the stage for a critical matchup against Ohio State, one of the most anticipated games of the season. The game will not only determine the Big Ten hierarchy but also answer the question of how legitimate Indiana’s championship aspirations are.
Notre Dame and Alabama each climbed two spots, landing at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively, while Georgia made a significant move, climbing three spots to No. 8 following a 31-17 win over Tennessee. This victory helped the Bulldogs re-enter the top 10 after a few weeks of hovering just outside. Ole Miss and Tennessee round out the top 10, with the Volunteers slipping four places after the loss to Georgia.
In terms of the rankings outside the top 10, the most notable shifts include BYU’s significant drop after a shocking 17-13 loss to Kansas. The Cougars plummeted from No. 7 to No. 14, with their defeat putting them in a tie with Deion Sanders’ Colorado for first place in the Big 12. The Buffaloes, ranked at No. 16, continue to benefit from a high-profile season under Sanders, remaining in contention for a major bowl game.
The Group of 5 conferences saw an increase in representation, with four teams now ranked in the AP Top 25. Boise State remains the highest-ranked of these programs at No. 12, while Army and Tulane both made substantial leaps. Tulane, after a dominant 35-0 victory over Navy, moved up five spots to No. 20, marking the week’s biggest jump. Additionally, the Mountain West Conference now has two teams in the rankings, with No. 23 UNLV joining Boise State.
On the flip side, LSU’s fall from grace is perhaps the most surprising development in the poll. After a 27-16 loss to Florida, the Tigers dropped to 6-4 on the season and were removed from the Top 25 for the first time since October 2022. This marks the end of a 36-week streak of LSU being ranked, underscoring the volatility of the college football landscape.
Looking ahead, several ranked matchups stand out for the upcoming week. Indiana’s visit to Ohio State is a potential game-changer in the Big Ten race, while BYU’s clash with Arizona State has major implications for the Big 12 title race. Additionally, the historic rivalry between Army and Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams entering the game ranked for the first time since 1958.
As teams continue to jockey for playoff positioning, the coming weeks will determine which programs stay on course for a potential championship run.
