Oregon and Penn State each climbed up in the latest Associated Press college football poll after securing thrilling victories in high-profile games. The Texas Longhorns maintained their position as the No. 1 team in the country, receiving 56 of 62 first-place votes after a convincing win over Oklahoma. Oregon moved up to No. 2, while Penn State jumped to No. 3, following their impressive performances over Ohio State and USC, respectively. The Nittany Lions reached their highest ranking in seven years, while Oregon’s victory marked their best ranking since 2014. The weekend did not see as much chaos as the previous week, where multiple upsets occurred within the top 11 teams.
In a highly anticipated matchup, Oregon secured a narrow 32-31 victory over Ohio State, a game that featured seven lead changes and solidified the Ducks’ position as the No. 2 team in the nation. Penn State also delivered in a thrilling overtime win against USC, propelling them to No. 3 in the rankings. The top 5 now includes Texas, Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and Georgia, with Miami, Alabama, LSU, Iowa State, and Clemson rounding out the top 10. The ACC and SEC teams continue to dominate the AP Top 25 rankings, with the Big Ten holding three spots in the top five and six overall in the rankings. Notably, Army and Navy made their first joint appearance in the rankings since 1960, a rare occurrence that speaks to their strong starts to the season.
The poll also saw notable movements, with LSU and Mississippi experiencing significant changes in their rankings following overtime contests. LSU rose to No. 8 after their overtime win, marking their first top-10 appearance since the 2023 preseason poll. On the contrary, Mississippi dropped from No. 9 to No. 18 after suffering their second loss in three games. Iowa State continued their impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten at 6-0 for the first time since 1938 and climbing to No. 9 in the rankings. Tennessee, previously a top 10 team, slipped to No. 11 after an overtime victory over Florida. The SEC currently holds eight spots in the AP Top 25, showcasing the strength of the conference in college football.
In terms of teams moving in and out of the rankings, Army and Navy were the only new additions to the poll for the season, signifying their strong performances thus far. Utah dropped out of the rankings following consecutive losses, including a defeat to Arizona State. Oklahoma, previously ranked No. 18, also fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since the 2022 season. Conference breakdowns reveal the dominance of the SEC with eight teams in the rankings, followed by the Big Ten with six teams and the ACC with four representatives. Various matchups between ranked teams are set to take place, including Georgia facing off against Texas and Alabama taking on Tennessee. These games will further shake up the rankings and determine the hierarchy in college football.
Overall, the latest AP Top 25 poll reflects the ongoing excitement and competitiveness in college football, with teams jockeying for position and making their case for a spot in the prestigious rankings. Oregon, Penn State, and other top contenders continue to impress with their performances, while traditional powerhouses aim to reclaim their dominance. As the season progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matchups and potential upsets that will shape the landscape of college football. The inclusion of Army and Navy in the rankings adds a historical element to the poll, highlighting their strong starts and resurgence in the college football scene. The upcoming games between ranked teams will provide further clarity on which programs are true contenders for the national championship.
