The established order in American college football is poised for a significant shakeup, ending a period of remarkable stability at the summit of the sport. For three consecutive weeks, the top five of the esteemed AP Top 25 rankings had remained static, but a dramatic weekend of fixtures has guaranteed a major reshuffle when the new poll is released.
A Tide That Turned: Alabama's Costly Defeat
The most seismic result came from the clash between No. 4 Alabama and No. 11 Oklahoma. In a thrilling encounter, Oklahoma secured a narrow 23-21 victory, handing Alabama a devastating loss. This upset did more than just snap the Crimson Tide's impressive eight-game winning streak; it severely damaged their prospects of reaching both the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game and the coveted College Football Playoff.
Meanwhile, No. 3 Texas A&M narrowly avoided a similar fate. The Aggies found themselves on the brink of a stunning defeat against South Carolina but managed to engineer the biggest comeback in the program's history to clinch a 31-30 win, keeping their own SEC title ambitions alive.
Stock Watch: Who's Rising and Falling?
While Alabama is set to tumble down the rankings, other programmes are anticipating a promotion. No. 5 Georgia strengthened its position considerably with a commanding 35-10 win over No. 10 Texas, making a strong case for a move into the upper echelons of the poll.
At the very top, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana remain solid. Ohio State breezed to a victory over UCLA, while Indiana preserved its perfect, undefeated record. According to analysis from The Associated Press, the teams seeing their stock rise this week include Oklahoma, BYU, USC, and Notre Dame. Conversely, those facing a fall, alongside Alabama, are Texas, Louisville, Iowa, Cincinnati, South Florida, and Pitt.
How the AP Top 25 Poll Works
The Associated Press has been the authoritative voice in ranking college football teams and naming a national champion since 1936. The poll is not compiled by AP employees but by a selected panel of approximately 60 sports writers and broadcasters from across the United States, ensuring every region with a major football school is represented.
The voting system is straightforward: each voter awards points from 25 for a first-place vote down to 1 for a 25th-place vote. The teams are then ranked from 1 to 25 based on their total points, with others receiving votes also noted. The latest poll is scheduled for release at 2 p.m. ET.
