ATLANTA – Another thrilling week of college football has passed, and with it comes an updated AP Top 25 poll filled with surprises and notable shifts. The most remarkable move saw Texas leapfrogging Ohio State to claim the No. 2 spot after a dominant 31-12 victory over defending champion and previously top-ranked Michigan on the road. This defeat marked a significant fall for Michigan, which has now dropped to No. 17, the first time outside the top 10 in nearly three years.
While Texas celebrated, Ohio State also enjoyed a perfect weekend, shutting out Western Michigan 56-0. It’s important to note that among the top teams, only Ohio State hasn’t secured a win against a ranked opponent. Meanwhile, Georgia, which still holds the No. 1 ranking, is in the mix with first-place votes alongside Texas and Ohio State.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish also faced disappointment, losing to unranked Northern Illinois and falling 13 spots to No. 18. This steep drop marks the biggest slide for any team within the rankings this year. Stepping up to fill the void left by Michigan and Notre Dame, Tennessee at No. 7 and Miami at No. 10 have made impressive showings, with Tennessee showcasing a high-octane offense led by freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
The Volunteers scored a ranked win over NC State, lifting them an impressive seven spots on the poll. Iamaleava has made a splash, completing 75% of his passes and accounting for six touchdowns in just two games, while his team has an average margin of victory of 53.5 points per game.
In contrast, Oregon has slid down the rankings from No. 3 to No. 9, struggling with victories against lesser opponents. The College Football Playoff picture is starting to take shape, with Northern Illinois currently in the driver’s seat for an automatic bid, especially after their victory over Notre Dame.
Other teams seeing their first appearances in the rankings include Iowa State at No. 21, Nebraska at No. 23, and Boston College at No. 24, creating a buzz as the season progresses. The stage is set for more drama next week, with many eyes focused on upcoming matchups that could shake up the list again.
