Miami Soars to No. 2 in AP Top 25: Oregon Rises As Penn State and Texas Drop Out!

Miami has jumped back to No. 2 in the latest Associated Press college football poll. This marks a significant moment for the Hurricanes as it’s been a while since they’ve held such a high ranking. Texas Tech, now at No. 9, is enjoying its best rank since 2008 after a solid win against Houston. Meanwhile, both Penn State and Texas have dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2022.

Ohio State remains at the top with a commanding victory over Minnesota, though it received the fewest first-place votes (40) since it became the top team five weeks ago. Miami’s performance against Florida State boosted its first-place votes from four to 21, affirming their strong comeback. They had briefly lost their No. 2 spot to Oregon last week after the Ducks’ impressive overtime win against Penn State.

Oregon didn’t lose any momentum, holding onto five first-place votes, while Mississippi and Texas A&M rounded out the top five. A&M achieved its highest ranking since 2021 by dominating Mississippi State.

Oklahoma dropped to No. 6 despite a textbook 44-0 win over Kent State, while Indiana, with a break last week, holds the No. 7 position. Alabama climbed two spots after defeating Vanderbilt, landing at No. 8.

Texas Tech’s recent win was particularly noteworthy. It hasn’t been in the top 10 since the final poll of the 2008 season. Meanwhile, Georgia climbed to No. 10 after a win against Kentucky. It’s surprising to see Texas, once the preseason favorite, and Penn State, ranked No. 2 just weeks ago, both out of the rankings, marking a notable shift in the college football landscape.

Penn State’s drop was dramatic. They entered the game against UCLA as heavy favorites but lost 42-37, marking the biggest fall in recent poll history. They hadn’t been unranked since September 2022. The last time two teams fell out of the top 10 in the same week was in 1986, highlighting how unusual this event is.

In more rankings updates, Memphis returned to the poll for the first time since last season. This is their best start since 2015, making them bowl-eligible for the twelfth consecutive year. South Florida is back in the rankings after a brief hiatus, following consecutive wins.

Looking at conference representation, the SEC dominates with nine teams in the Top 25, while the Big Ten secures five spots. Historically, the SEC has showcased strong teams, often leading to exciting matchups.

Next up, several ranked teams will face each other. Ohio State will meet Illinois, which hasn’t happened since 2017. Indiana will challenge Oregon, and Alabama faces Missouri, a significant matchup for both teams as they aim for top playoff positions.

College football continues to evolve, with surprising turns of events and thrilling performances. Keeping track of the rankings is essential for fans eager to see how teams stack up week after week.

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