In Atlanta, fans witnessed a rollercoaster weekend in college football as Week 6 wrapped up with plenty of surprises that shook up the rankings. This week lacked the mega matchups that typically grab headlines, but it surely delivered excitement and drama that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Saturday saw five teams ranked in the top 12 suffer surprising defeats. This notable trend hasn’t happened since 2021, and even then, the losses were primarily between top-tier teams. This time, the chaos was sparked by unranked teams pulling off unexpected wins over their highly-ranked counterparts.
Among the standout moments, Vanderbilt managed to topple the reigning No. 1 team, Alabama, just one week after Alabama surged to the top by defeating Georgia. The unforgettable images of Vanderbilt’s fans celebrating as they carried goalposts down the streets of Nashville will not be forgotten anytime soon. This stunning win showcased a dominant performance where Vanderbilt pushed back against Alabama’s defense and kept their lead throughout the game.
Not to be overlooked, No. 4 Tennessee fell in a tight match against unranked Arkansas, while No. 10 Michigan lost to unranked Washington, and No. 11 USC was upset by unranked Minnesota. Even No. 9 Missouri faced a tough day, getting overwhelmed by No. 25 Texas A&M.
As the dust settles, the AP Top 25 rankings are set to see major changes. Here’s a glimpse of how experts project the new rankings after all the drama from Saturday:
- Texas (Last week — 2): Coming off a week off, they prepare for a big game against Oklahoma.
- Ohio State (3): With Alabama’s loss, expect an increase in first-place votes after they won convincingly against Iowa.
- Oregon (6): A solid win against Michigan State moves them up in the rankings.
- Georgia (5): Despite some concerns, a strong win against Auburn should keep them steady in the rankings.
- Penn State (7): A win against UCLA maintains their position despite not being as explosive as in earlier games.
- Miami (8): They pulled off a stunning comeback against Cal, keeping their unbeaten streak alive.
- Alabama (1): Their ranking takes a significant hit after the upset loss, despite their earlier success this season.
- Ole Miss (12): They bounced back strongly against South Carolina in this week’s games.
- LSU (13): They were off this week, gearing up for a match against Ole Miss.
- Notre Dame (14): Another bye week before facing Stanford next week.
- Texas A&M (25): They continue their winning streak and deserve a jump in the rankings.
- Clemson (15): A strong defensive effort secured them a win against Florida State.
- Tennessee (4): While they suffered a loss, they’ll still remain in competitive territory.
- Iowa State (16): Proving their ranking with a stunning comeback against Baylor.
- BYU (17): They are ready to face Arizona next week after a week off.
- Utah (18): Set for action next Friday against Arizona State.
- Oklahoma (19): Taking a break this week before facing Texas next Saturday.
- Kansas State (20): Another week off before facing Colorado.
- Boise State (21): Continues to impress with a significant offensive display this season.
- Indiana (23): Once again, they pull ahead in a close game to stay unbeaten.
- Illinois (24): They prepare to face Purdue next week.
- Pitt (NR): Gaining ground in the rankings after a strong start.
- Nebraska (NR): Two consecutive wins put them in position to contend for bowl eligibility.
- SMU (NR): Climbing up the ranks after a solid performance to reach a 5-1 record.
- Missouri (9): Facing pressure after a tough loss, they might find themselves dropping out of the rankings.
The shakeup in college football keeps the excitement alive as teams head into further action next week. The ups and downs of this sport are what make it thrilling, and fans are eager to see how the new rankings shape the upcoming matchups.
