Miami Cracks Top 5 in AP Poll for First Time Since 2017; Notre Dame, BYU, and Texas A&M Join Top 10

The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll brought some exciting changes, with Miami advancing to No. 5—its highest ranking since 2017. The Hurricanes edged out Texas, marking a significant milestone in their resurgence. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses Oregon, Georgia, Penn State, and Ohio State maintained their top four positions. At the same time, Notre Dame, BYU, and Texas A&M moved into the top 10.

Miami’s Impressive Climb

Miami’s rise in the poll follows a decisive win against Florida State, pushing the Hurricanes to an 8-0 record. The team has been steadily climbing, thanks to standout performances from players like Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward. This marks Miami’s first appearance in the top five since November 2017.

Notable Moves in the Top 10

Texas slipped to No. 6 after a close victory over Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Notre Dame surged back to No. 8 following a commanding 51-14 win over Navy. BYU’s strong showing on the road against UCF earned them the No. 9 spot, marking their best ranking since 2020. Texas A&M also advanced to No. 10 after defeating LSU, giving first-year head coach Mike Elko a memorable win.

Top 4 Hold Steady

The top four teams remained unchanged, with Oregon retaining the No. 1 position after a 38-9 win over Illinois, claiming nearly all first-place votes. Despite an idle week, Georgia held onto its No. 2 spot with one first-place vote. Penn State stayed at No. 3 following a close win over Wisconsin, while Ohio State secured No. 4 after a 21-17 victory against Nebraska.

Poll Highlights and Trends

Notre Dame and Texas A&M made the most significant gains in this week’s poll, while LSU experienced the steepest drop, falling from No. 8 to No. 16. BYU’s rise in six consecutive polls highlights its strong season, with Pittsburgh also gaining momentum since debuting at No. 22. Texas’ slip to No. 6 marks the first time this season that the Southeastern Conference has only one team in the top five.

Newcomers and Departures

Washington State entered the rankings at No. 22 following a win over San Diego State, becoming the first Pac-12 team in the poll. Colorado also broke into the Top 25, coming in at No. 23 with a 6-2 record. Vanderbilt, after a brief appearance at No. 25, and Navy, following a loss to Notre Dame, both exited the poll. Army climbed to No. 21, bolstering the presence of independent teams in the rankings.

Ranked Matchups to Watch

This week features two high-stakes ranked matchups:

  • No. 4 Ohio State at No. 3 Penn State: This top-five clash has significant implications, with both teams contending with injuries, including Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
  • No. 18 Pittsburgh at No. 20 SMU: Both teams, unbeaten in ACC play, have exceeded expectations, creating a compelling showdown for conference leadership.

As the season unfolds, the AP Top 25 poll continues to evolve, with Miami’s resurgence and other surprising entries adding to the excitement of college football.