The latest Associated Press college football poll revealed a mix of stability and major shifts, with the top six teams holding their ground while Vanderbilt surged to its highest ranking in nearly nine decades. In a dramatic turn, Louisiana State University, once a top-three contender, has completely dropped out of the Top 25 after a series of losses.
Ohio State continues its dominant run at No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week, securing 53 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the Big 12 conference flexed its strength, placing five teams in the rankings for the first time this season, signaling a competitive shakeup across the league.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, and Oregon remain unchanged in the top six spots.
- Vanderbilt climbed to No. 9, marking the program's highest AP poll ranking since 1937.
- LSU, previously ranked as high as No. 3, fell out of the Top 25 following its third loss in four games.
- The Big 12 conference now has five ranked teams, with Houston entering the poll for the first time since 2022.
- The SEC continues to lead all conferences with nine teams ranked in the Top 25.
Stability at the Top Amid Minor Adjustments
For the first time since November of last year, the top six positions in the AP poll saw no movement. Ohio State (7-0) remains the clear No. 1, backed by a commanding 53 first-place votes from the media panel. Following the Buckeyes are No. 2 Indiana (8-0), which collected 11 first-place votes, and No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0), which earned a single first-place vote.
The Southeastern Conference holds a strong presence in the top tier, with No. 4 Alabama (7-1) and No. 5 Georgia (6-1) maintaining their positions. Oregon (7-1) rounds out the unchanged top six. A minor shuffle occurred just below, with Mississippi moving up to No. 7 and Georgia Tech sliding to No. 8 despite its undefeated 8-0 record.
Vanderbilt's Unprecedented Season
The biggest story this week is the remarkable ascent of Vanderbilt (7-1). Following a hard-fought 17-10 victory over then-No. 15 Missouri, the Commodores jumped to No. 9 in the nation. This represents the team's highest ranking in 88 years, a feat not seen since they were ranked No. 7 for a single week in 1937.
A Historic Achievement
Vanderbilt's 7-1 start is its best since 1941. The team has also set a new program record with three regular-season victories over Top 25 opponents, solidifying one of the most successful campaigns in its modern history.
The win over Missouri was a testament to the team's resilience and has positioned them as a serious contender in the SEC. Their upcoming schedule, including a ranked matchup against Texas, will be a critical test of their newfound status.
LSU's Fall from Grace
In stark contrast to Vanderbilt's rise, LSU has experienced a swift and dramatic fall. Just weeks ago, the Tigers were perched at No. 3 in the country. However, a string of poor performances, including road losses to Mississippi and Vanderbilt, culminated in a 24-point home defeat against Texas A&M this past weekend.
The loss was the final straw, pushing the Tigers completely out of the Top 25. This marks the second consecutive year that LSU has started the season highly ranked only to drop out after a series of defeats. Last year, they were No. 8 before three straight losses sent them tumbling from the poll.
Conference Power Rankings
The distribution of ranked teams highlights the current landscape of college football dominance:
- SEC: 9 teams
- Big Ten: 5 teams
- Big 12: 5 teams
- ACC: 4 teams
- American: 1 team
- Independent: 1 team
Big 12 Strength and Newcomers to the Poll
The Big 12 conference has asserted itself with five teams in the Top 25, a first for the league this season. The conference is represented by No. 10 (tie) BYU, No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 17 Cincinnati, No. 22 Houston, and No. 24 Utah.
Houston (7-1) is a notable addition, entering the poll for the first time since the opening weeks of the 2022 season. The Cougars earned their spot after a significant 24-16 road win against then-No. 24 Arizona State, their first road victory over a ranked opponent since 2017. Other teams re-entering or newly entering the poll include No. 23 USC and No. 25 Memphis.
Several teams joined LSU in dropping out of the rankings this week, including South Florida, Illinois, and Arizona State.
Key Matchups on the Horizon
The upcoming week features several high-stakes games between ranked opponents that could further reshape the national landscape.
- No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas: The Commodores will look to validate their historic ranking on the road against a tough Longhorns team.
- No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah: A crucial Big 12 showdown, with the undefeated-in-conference Bearcats facing a Utes team that needs a win to stay in the title race.
- No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee: This SEC battle will pit Oklahoma's top-ranked conference defense against one of the nation's most explosive offenses in Tennessee.
These contests will not only impact the teams involved but could also cause another significant shuffle in next week's AP Top 25 poll.