Georgia climbed to No. 4 in The Associated Press poll, while Oklahoma returned to the top 10. North Texas, ranked for the first time since 1959, made it among three Group of Five teams in the Top 25.
Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M remained at the top for the fifth week in a row. Georgia’s recent ranking is its best since early September. Mississippi re-entered the top five after a brief hiatus.
Oregon and Texas Tech tied for No. 6. Oklahoma surged to No. 8 after defeating Alabama, marking a notable return to the top 10 after a week of falling behind.
Notre Dame stayed at No. 9 after a solid win over Pittsburgh, while Alabama dropped to No. 10 after losing its long-standing winning streak.
Ohio State, after defeating UCLA, is on a strong streak at 10-0. Indiana also shined, beating Wisconsin to achieve an 11-0 record for the first time. Texas A&M’s comeback win over South Carolina gave them a first-place vote, although that’s a drop from last week.
Georgia’s victory over Texas was significant, marking their sixth consecutive win and second against a top-10 team. Mississippi, which had lost to Georgia previously, bounced back by defeating Florida.
This year, there hasn’t been a trio of Group of Five teams in the Top 25 since the last season’s final poll. The Sun Belt’s James Madison surged, moving up to No. 21 after defeating Appalachian State. North Texas followed at No. 22, matching the best start in program history with a convincing win over UAB.
Interestingly, the last time North Texas was ranked this high was in 1959. That team, then called the Eagles, ended its season in the Sun Bowl. The current team is already bowl-eligible, adding excitement for its fans.
In other news, Missouri returned to the rankings after a brief absence, largely due to a dominant showing against Mississippi State. Tulane, after a bumpy patch, also made its way back into the rankings.
On the flip side, teams like Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and South Florida fell out of the Top 25.
Looking at conference standings, the SEC remains dominant, showcasing nine teams in the rankings. The Big Ten and Big 12 have a solid presence as well.
Next up, ranked matchups promise to shake things up. Southern California faces Oregon, with high stakes for playoff ambitions. Meanwhile, Missouri takes on Oklahoma, and the Sooners aim for a significant fifth win over a ranked opponent.
As the season unfolds, fans eagerly watch the shifting landscape, revealing potential playoff contenders. It’s a thrilling time in college football, with surprises at every corner!
For the latest updates on rankings, check out AP college football: AP Top 25 Poll and AP College Football.
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