The Miami Hurricanes surged to No. 2 in The Associated Press college football poll, overtaking both LSU and Penn State, while Oklahoma made a significant move into the top 10 for the first time in two years. This ranking reflects Miami’s strong performance, having secured victories against two ranked opponents, including a decisive 19-point win over Florida.
The Hurricanes’ rise marks their highest ranking since November 2017, a period when they were last 10-0. Miami’s ascent was fueled by a combination of solid play and a favorable schedule, as they gathered seven first-place votes, four more than the previous week. Meanwhile, Penn State, which had held the No. 2 spot since the preseason, dropped to No. 3 after an idle week. LSU fell to No. 4 following a comfortable victory over Southeastern Louisiana.
Oklahoma’s rise to No. 7 highlighted their strong performance, particularly a victory over previously ranked Auburn at home. This marks their return to the top 10, a significant achievement after starting the season 7-0. The top five was rounded out by No. 5 Georgia and No. 6 Oregon, both maintaining their positions. Florida State, Texas A&M, and Texas completed the top 10.
Notable Rankings and Surprises
Ohio State, which had a bye week, retained its No. 1 ranking, securing 52 of 66 first-place votes from the media panel. Oklahoma’s presence in the top 10 is noteworthy as they are the lowest-ranked team to receive a first-place vote since Washington in 2023. Indiana made headlines by climbing eight spots to No. 11 after a stunning 63-7 victory over then-No. 9 Illinois, who plummeted from No. 9 to No. 23 following this heavy defeat.
Texas Tech also made a notable leap, moving up five spots to No. 12 after a convincing 24-point win at Utah. Despite having to rely on backup quarterback Will Hammond for much of the second half, the Red Raiders showcased resilience and skill.
No. 24 TCU achieved a significant milestone by defeating SMU, marking their first regular-season ranking since they were a fixture in the top 10 during the latter part of the 2022 season. The Horned Frogs, who faced a major setback in the national title game against Georgia, had been ranked No. 17 in the 2023 preseason poll.
BYU, ranked No. 25, returned to the poll after securing a road win at East Carolina, marking its first ranking of the season.
Upcoming Matchups to Watch
The upcoming games promise to be thrilling, with No. 4 LSU facing No. 13 Mississippi in a tightly contested series where they have split the last four meetings. Additionally, No. 6 Oregon will challenge No. 3 Penn State in a rematch of last year’s Big Ten championship game, a contest that saw Oregon emerge victorious.
No. 17 Alabama will visit No. 5 Georgia, where the Bulldogs aim to extend their 33-game home winning streak, the longest active streak in the nation. Meanwhile, No. 21 Southern California will compete against No. 23 Illinois, which is looking to recover from a challenging loss.
As the season progresses, fans can stay updated on the AP Top 25 rankings and receive alerts through the AP News mobile app, ensuring they do not miss any significant developments in college football.
