Oregon has successfully maintained its position as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for an impressive fourth consecutive week, following their victory over Maryland. Meanwhile, Penn State and Indiana have both surged into the top five, causing significant shifts in the rankings with only a month remaining in the regular season.
No team has spent more time at the top this season than Oregon, which pulled away in the second half to improve their record to a flawless 10-0, solidifying their unanimous No. 1 status for the second week in a row.
With Oregon leading the pack, Ohio State climbed to No. 2, while Texas leapt two spots to secure the No. 3 position. Penn State claimed No. 4 with a narrow edge over No. 5 Indiana, who are closely followed by Tennessee at No. 6.
Penn State’s return to the top five comes after their commanding win against Washington, while the Hoosiers made headlines by narrowly defeating Michigan 20-15. This marked Indiana’s school-record 10th win, showcasing their best ranking since ending the 1967 season at No. 4.
Following Tennessee in the top 10 are BYU, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Mississippi, highlighting the SEC’s strength with four representatives in the top 10 and a total of nine teams in the overall AP Top 25. The Big Ten also remains formidable, boasting all four of its ranked teams within the top five.
Georgia and Miami experienced substantial falls in their rankings. The Bulldogs’ recent defeat to Mississippi 28-10 resulted in a drop from No. 2 to No. 11, marking the first time they have exited the top 10 since late in the 2020 season. Concurrently, the Hurricanes lost 28-23 to Georgia Tech, plummeting from No. 4 to No. 12.
The impact of these losses on their potential for a College Football Playoff spot will become clearer on Tuesday night when the selection committee announces its updated rankings. As it stands, Georgia ranks as the fifth-highest Southeastern Conference team in the AP poll, while Miami continues to be the highest-ranked squad from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Mississippi made the most significant jump, advancing from No. 16 to No. 10 following a stellar defensive display that stifled the Bulldogs after Jaxson Dart’s record-setting performance the previous week.
In contrast, LSU saw its playoff aspirations hindered with a devastating 42-13 loss to Alabama, resulting in a drop from No. 14 to No. 21.
Colorado retains its playoff hopes, standing as the second-place team in the Big 12, just one game behind the unbeaten BYU, as they each aim for a chance to meet in the conference championship game.
Boise State fell one position to No. 13, maintaining its status as the top-ranked Group of Five team after securing a 28-21 victory over Nevada.
No. 23 South Carolina is back in the Top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2022 season after remarkable wins against ranked teams like Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.
Missouri’s late-game heroics against Oklahoma secure their return to the rankings after a brief absence, while No. 25 Tulane makes its debut in the Top 25 after a seven-game winning streak under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.
Iowa State, Pittsburgh, and Vanderbilt have all fallen from the rankings. Iowa State’s second consecutive loss was at the hands of Kansas, which came in with only two wins. Pittsburgh’s season continues to falter after losing to Virginia, and Vanderbilt has faced similar struggles with two losses in their last three games.
The SEC continues to dominate the rankings with 9 teams, followed by the ACC with 4, the Big Ten with 4, the Big 12 with 3, the AAC with 2, the Mountain West with 1, the Pac-12 with 1, and an Independent.
—No. 6 Tennessee at No. 11 Georgia: The Volunteers’ QB Nico Iamaleava is set to return after missing the second half against Mississippi State. The Vols seek to snap a seven-game skid against the Bulldogs.
—No. 24 Missouri at No. 23 South Carolina: The Tigers have dominated the rivalry, winning five straight, while the Gamecocks look to secure a win against their third consecutive ranked opponent.
**Interview with College Football Analyst, Jamie Thompson**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Jamie! Thank you for joining us to discuss the latest shifts in the college football rankings. Oregon has solidified its position as the No. 1 team for four consecutive weeks now. What do you think has contributed to their success this season?
**Jamie Thompson:** Thank you for having me! Oregon’s success this season is largely due to their consistency both offensively and defensively. Their ability to pull away from Maryland in the second half showcases their stamina and depth. Plus, having a perfect record of 10-0 undoubtedly boosts their confidence.
**Editor:** Right! And we’ve seen Ohio State and Texas also moving up in the rankings. What impact do you think this has on the national title picture?
**Jamie Thompson:** The tight competition at the top is compelling. With Ohio State at No. 2 and Texas at No. 3, every game counts for playoff positioning. These teams are obviously aiming for the top seed, and as we approach the end of the regular season, every win is crucial. It’s going to be interesting to see how they perform against tough opponents down the stretch.
**Editor:** You mentioned Indiana and Penn State’s surge into the top five. How significant is it for them to be ranked this high, especially Penn State after defeating Washington?
**Jamie Thompson:** It’s huge for both programs! Penn State’s return to the top five emphasizes their competitiveness within the Big Ten. Indiana’s success highlights a remarkable season for them, especially achieving their 10th win and best ranking since 1967. This not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their recruiting efforts moving forward.
**Editor:** Meanwhile, we witnessed Georgia and Miami suffer steep drops in their rankings. How might this affect their playoff prospects?
**Jamie Thompson:** Such losses can be devastating. Georgia hasn’t been out of the top ten for nearly three years, so a fall from No. 2 to No. 11 is particularly alarming for their playoff hopes. Miami, now at No. 12, will also need to rebound quickly. The selection committee’s rankings will be crucial for highlighting which teams are still in contention, so they need to perform well in their remaining games.
**Editor:** Lastly, what should we keep an eye on as we approach the final weeks of the regular season?
**Jamie Thompson:** Keep an eye on the SEC and Big Ten races; they’re incredibly competitive this year. Mississippi’s recent rise shows how quickly fortunes can change in college football. Watch for upsets that could shake up the rankings, and don’t forget about teams like Colorado, fighting for a playoff slot. Every game is loaded with implications!
**Editor:** Thank you, Jamie! Your insights are always invaluable. We’ll be watching closely as the season progresses!
