Ohio State has soared to the top of The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. This marks the first time since November 2015 that they’re sitting at No. 1. The defending champions received 55 out of 66 first-place votes following their victory over Texas, who slipped to No. 7 after a wild first weekend of college football.
It was a surprising Labor Day weekend with significant changes in the rankings. Both Texas and Alabama, traditionally strong teams, faced defeats that shook the standings. In fact, this is only the second instance since 1972 where two top-five teams lost in Week 1. Florida State made a standout return, jumping into the rankings after a strong win against Alabama, who fell to their lowest position since 2008.
The top five now includes:
1. Ohio State
2. Penn State (who received seven first-place votes)
3. LSU
4. Georgia
5. Miami (Fla.)
LSU climbed six spots this week after their win over Clemson, while Miami made a five-spot jump following their victory against Notre Dame. Oregon is also worth mentioning, as they received a first-place vote and now sit at No. 6.
Florida State’s rise is particularly noteworthy. After a disappointing season last year, finishing 2-10, they’ve now jumped to No. 14, showing how quickly fortunes can change in college football.
On the flip side, Alabama’s drop from No. 8 to No. 21 is significant, marking their lowest rank in years. This change comes as a surprise considering their history of consistent performance under coach Nick Saban.
Utah also entered the poll at No. 25 after a solid win against UCLA. Their return to the rankings is a first since last October, showing a major turnaround from a seven-game losing streak.
Recent statistics highlight just how unpredictable college football can be. According to a survey by ESPN, 62% of fans love the drama and surprises each season brings. This unpredictability creates excitement and keeps audiences engaged.
As we look forward to this weekend, one highly anticipated match is between No. 15 Michigan and No. 18 Oklahoma. Their last meeting was in 1975, making this clash historic.
With ten teams ranked from the SEC and six from the Big Ten, these conferences continue to dominate college football. This landscape is exciting for fans, as any week can bring remarkable upsets and thrilling games.
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