Ohio State Holds Strong at No 1 in AP Top 25 as Texas and Penn State Drop Out
Miami Hurricanes Soar to No. 2 in Latest AP College Football Rankings
In a thrilling update to the Associated Press college football poll, the Miami Hurricanes have climbed back up to No. 2 following a decisive victory over Florida State. This development comes as Texas Tech celebrates its highest ranking since 2008, while both Penn State and Texas have fallen out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2022 after suffering unexpected losses.
Ohio State Remains on Top Despite Fewer First-Place Votes
Ohio State maintains its position as the No. 1 team in the country, showcasing a dominant performance against Minnesota. However, the Buckeyes received only 40 first-place votes, their lowest tally since breaking into the top five five weeks ago.
Key Movements in the Top 10 College Football Rankings
The rankings saw significant shifts as Miami surged ahead of idle Oregon, increasing its first-place votes from four to 21 after their impressive performance. Here’s how the rest of the Top 10 shapes up:
- No. 1: Ohio State
- No. 2: Miami (Fla.)
- No. 3: Oregon
- No. 4: Ole Miss (idle)
- No. 5: Texas A&M
- No. 6: Oklahoma
- No. 7: Indiana (idle)
- No. 8: Alabama
- No. 9: Texas Tech
- No. 10: Georgia
Penn State and Texas: Historic Falls from the Rankings
Penn State’s loss to UCLA marked a significant drop, making it unranked for the first time since September 2022. The Nittany Lions, who were previously ranked No. 2, suffered a shocking defeat as 24.5-point favorites, losing 42-37. This represents one of the most notable declines in the history of the AP poll.
Texas faced a similar fate, dropping out of the rankings after a 29-21 defeat against Florida, a dramatic fall from its preseason No. 1 standing. The Longhorns hadn’t been unranked since November 2022.
Historical Context and Conference Analysis
The current shake-up in the rankings is reminiscent of previous years, with the last instance of two top-10 teams falling out of the poll occurring in 1986. Here’s a breakdown of the current Top 25 by conference:
| Conference | Rankings |
|---|---|
| SEC | Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 20 |
| Big Ten | Nos. 1, 3, 7, 15, 17 |
| Big 12 | Nos. 9, 18, 21, 22 |
| ACC | Nos. 2, 13, 19, 25 |
| American | Nos. 23, 24 |
| Independent | No. 16 |
This week’s polling demonstrates the highly competitive nature of college football, with traditional powerhouses facing challenges from unexpected quarters. The path ahead will be critical for teams like Penn State and Texas as they aim for a comeback in the upcoming weeks.
