Josh Furlong’s AP Top 25 Sees Major Shakeup as Two Top-10 Teams Suffer Upset Losses

SALT LAKE CITY — The landscape of college football continues to thrill fans with unexpected twists, proving that anything can happen on game day. This past weekend delivered a stunning upset, with the previously winless UCLA team surprising No. 7 Penn State, marking the Nittany Lions’ second consecutive defeat. Penn State had high hopes for this season, but they are now grappling with significant challenges. Meanwhile, Texas is facing its own crisis, particularly regarding its starting quarterback position. After tremendous hype surrounding Arch Manning, the Longhorns suffered their second loss of the season, leaving both teams outside the Top 25 rankings.

Ohio State Dominates Minnesota

In a standout performance, Ohio State demonstrated their prowess against a formidable Minnesota squad that had only suffered one loss prior to their encounter. The Buckeyes started strong, allowing just three points in the first quarter before unleashing a barrage of 42 consecutive points to secure a decisive victory over the Golden Gophers. Ohio State will look to continue building momentum next week when they face Illinois on the road.

Miami and Their Path to an Undefeated Season

Miami showcased their resilience by allowing a late-game comeback attempt from rival Florida State, who scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. However, the Hurricanes maintained control throughout the match, and their current form positions them favorably for what could potentially be an undefeated season.

Oregon’s Bye Week and Ranking Shuffle

During a scheduled bye week, Oregon saw their ranking shift slightly, with Miami’s current resume edging them out for the top positions. Despite the drop, there’s no doubt that Oregon remains a top-three team, and their next games will be crucial for determining their standing.

Ole Miss Remains Off Week Focused

With Lane Kiffin’s team taking a breather this week, Ole Miss maintains their strong season start. They will have the opportunity to further solidify their position with an upcoming out-of-conference match against Washington State, a game that should not present significant challenges unless unexpected twists arise.

Texas A&M’s Stealthy Climb

Texas A&M is quietly creating a robust season without much fanfare. Quarterback Marcel Reed may not be producing eye-popping statistics, but his consistent performances contribute significantly to the team’s success on both sides of the ball.

Indiana Prepares for a Tough Challenge

Coming off a bye week, Indiana is acutely aware of the demanding challenge posed by Oregon in their next match. A victory against the Ducks in Eugene could lead to serious discussions regarding the Hoosiers’ potential this season.

Alabama’s Solid Performance against Vanderbilt

In a surprising showdown, Alabama triumphed over Vanderbilt, showcasing their improvement since last season’s upset. Quarterback Ty Simpson stood out, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as the leading quarterback on the field.

Texas Tech Shines against Houston

Following a bye week, Texas Tech displayed their strength against in-state rival Houston. Quarterback Behren Morton excelled with 345 passing yards and one touchdown, while the defense notably held Houston scoreless in the second half.

Oklahoma’s Seamless Transition

In their first game without starter John Mateer, Oklahoma delivered a commanding performance, overpowering Kent State with a 44-0 victory. Interim starter Michael Hawkins Jr. excelled, throwing three touchdown passes and contributing a rushing touchdown, although his completion percentage remained below 60% against one of the less formidable teams in FBS.

Georgia Maintains Dominance over Kentucky

Georgia put any doubt to rest about a potential upset against Kentucky, controlling the game completely. Quarterback Gunner Stockton shone with one passing and two rushing touchdowns, while Georgia’s defense limited their opponent to just 270 total yards, including a mere 45 on the ground.

Looking Ahead: Teams to Watch

As teams regroup and prepare for the upcoming weeks, here are the teams under consideration for future rankings:

• Fresno State
• Iowa State
• South Florida
• TCU
• Texas
• Nebraska
• North Texas
• Penn State
• USC
• UNLV
• Washington

As the season progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling games and unexpected outcomes, reaffirming that college football is anything but predictable.