Oregon Solidifies No. 1 Spot in AP College Football Poll as Playoff Selection Approaches

The Ducks Make a Strong Case for Top Playoff Spot

Oregon has firmly established its dominance in college football, securing the unanimous No. 1 spot in the latest Associated Press (AP) poll. This marks the Ducks’ third consecutive week at the top, following a decisive 21-point win over Michigan. With the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee’s first rankings of the season expected on Tuesday, Oregon’s position strengthens its bid for a top playoff spot.

Georgia and Ohio State Stay Competitive

Georgia remained at No. 2 despite quarterback Carson Beck’s struggles against Florida, including three interceptions. The Bulldogs overcame these challenges to secure the win. Ohio State, meanwhile, climbed to No. 3 after a solid victory over Penn State, extending their winning streak over the Nittany Lions to eight games—a display of their resilience and competitive edge.

Shifting Positions Among Top Ten Teams

Miami and Texas both advanced in the rankings, reaching No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, while Penn State’s drop to No. 6 marked the end of its four-week run in the top five. Tennessee held steady at No. 7 after defeating Kentucky 28-18.

Indiana celebrated a rise to No. 8, its highest ranking since 2020 and best non-pandemic season ranking since 1967’s Rose Bowl run. The Hoosiers’ season continues to impress after a dominant 47-10 win over Michigan State, marking their record at 9-0.

BYU, Notre Dame, and SMU Shake Up the Rankings

BYU and Notre Dame, ranked No. 9 and No. 10, maintained their positions during their bye week. SMU jumped to No. 13 after a commanding 48-25 win over Pittsburgh, reaching its highest ranking since 1985, just before the program was halted by the NCAA.

Setbacks for Clemson and Iowa State

Clemson and Iowa State took substantial hits in the rankings following home losses. Clemson fell eight spots to No. 19 after a 33-21 loss to Louisville, while Iowa State dropped six spots to No. 17 after a close 23-22 loss to Texas Tech. Other teams, including Texas A&M, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh, also experienced rank decreases.

Historic Highs for Army and Boise State

Army climbed to No. 18, marking its best ranking since 1960, while Boise State rose to No. 12, its highest since 2011. Additionally, Indiana surpassed Notre Dame in the rankings for the first time since 1979.

New Entries and Exits in the AP Top 25

Vanderbilt returned to the Top 25 at No. 24 after a 17-7 victory over Auburn, marking a comeback after a brief absence. Louisville also re-entered at No. 25 following its upset of Clemson. Illinois, which had been ranked No. 24, dropped out after losing to Minnesota, and Missouri, previously as high as No. 6, also exited the rankings following an open date.

Upcoming Ranked Showdowns

The upcoming week promises intense matchups that could significantly affect rankings:

  • No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 16 Mississippi: Georgia heads to Oxford, where it last lost to Ole Miss in 2016, aiming to replicate last year’s commanding 52-17 win.
  • No. 11 Alabama vs. No. 14 LSU: LSU looks to defend Death Valley after narrowly defeating Alabama in a 32-31 overtime thriller two years ago. Both teams enter this game off bye weeks.

The CFP’s recent expansion to 12 teams adds an exciting dynamic, allowing top programs to recover from losses and remain playoff contenders. This shift not only keeps the race for the national championship competitive but also heightens the stakes as the season progresses.