Poll Preview: Can the Top 10 Stay Unchanged? Shocking Loss of No. 13 Gators to USF Steals the Spotlight!

After a week of chaos in the rankings, calm has mostly returned to The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. Last Saturday was different. There were a few big upsets, but many teams showcased their strength with impressive wins.

Top-ranked Ohio State dominated Grambling, winning 70-0. They weren’t alone; several other teams scored over 60 points. No. 2 Penn State managed a solid 34-0 victory against Florida International, while No. 3 LSU beat Louisiana Tech 23-7. No. 4 Georgia won 28-6 against Austin Peay, overcoming a two-hour weather delay. No. 5 Miami crushed Bethune-Cookman 45-3.

Teams to watch for potential ranking boosts include:

• No. 14 Florida State, which followed its win over Alabama with a staggering 77-3 victory against East Texas A&M.
• No. 18 Oklahoma, after a 24-13 win over No. 15 Michigan, is set to climb the ranks.
• No. 19 Texas A&M had a strong showing with a 44-22 win over Utah State.

On the flip side, here are a few teams that may see a drop:

• Florida, which had been on a winning streak, stumbled against USF.
• Arizona State will likely fall after a tough loss.
• No. 17 SMU blew a two-touchdown lead and lost 48-45 to Baylor.

Some standout performances included No. 6 Oregon beating Oklahoma State 69-3, marking the largest victory margin against a power-conference opponent in Ducks history. No. 11 Illinois scored on five straight possessions, defeating Duke 45-19 and positioning themselves for a top-10 ranking for the first time since 1991.

As for under-the-radar teams, USF looks impressive after defeating two ranked opponents in a row. They could soon be making their way into the rankings. Additionally, Georgia Tech achieved a convincing 59-12 victory over Gardner-Webb despite missing starting quarterback Haynes King.

In a broader context, college football has seen dramatic shifts in team power dynamics over the years. For instance, a recent survey showed that fan engagement has increased as teams compete more fiercely. Even with emerging teams stealing the spotlight, the traditional powerhouses still fight to maintain their status. This season highlights that intensity.

As fans keep an eye on the rankings, the excitement builds. Each game can reshape the landscape, and these performances will be crucial as the season progresses.

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