Texas and Penn State Drop Out of Top 25: Preseason Shake-Up Insights

Miami has climbed back to No. 2 in The Associated Press college football poll, while Texas and Penn State have fallen out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2022. Both teams lost to unranked opponents, marking a significant shift in the rankings.

No. 1 Ohio State rolled over Minnesota but received only 40 first-place votes, fewer than in previous weeks. Miami moved ahead of Oregon after a strong victory against Florida State, jumping from four to 21 first-place votes.

This week’s poll is noteworthy because it’s the Hurricanes’ highest ranking in October since 2003. Oregon remains in the mix, holding five first-place votes, followed by No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 5 Texas A&M, which secured its best ranking since 2021 after a notable win.

Oklahoma fell one spot to No. 6 despite a dominant shutout, while Indiana, which had a bye week, is at No. 7. Alabama moved up to No. 8 after defeating Vanderbilt. Texas Tech cracked the top 10 for the first time since 2008.

Penn State’s drop from the rankings is startling. Their fall to unranked status is among the biggest in the poll’s history, a match with Oklahoma’s 1959 fall from No. 2. Texas also tumbled out after a loss to Florida, marking their first time unranked since November 2022.

Interestingly, this marks the first time since 1986 that two top-10 teams have dropped out of the rankings in the same week. Teams ranked Nos. 14-19 saw five-spot boosts, suggesting a shakeup among the mid-tier teams.

Iowa State took the steepest drop of any team still in the Top 25. Meanwhile, Memphis entered the rankings for the first time this season, achieving a 6-0 start for their best record since 2015.

As for conference representation, the SEC continues to dominate with nine teams in the rankings. The upcoming matchups include some crucial games, especially for teams looking to strengthen their playoff positioning.

In terms of viewer interest, social media trends show fans buzzing about the unexpected losses of Texas and Penn State, igniting conversations about potential upsets and playoff implications. The current landscape highlights the unpredictability of college football, where any team can rise or fall in an instant.

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