Major Shake-Up in Latest College Football Rankings
The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings, released on Sunday, delivered significant movement, headlined by the Georgia Bulldogs climbing to No. 4, their highest position since the first week of September. This dramatic shift comes after a weekend of surprising results that have reshaped the national picture.
Risers and Fallers in the Top Ten
The very top of the table, however, remains a bastion of stability. For the fifth consecutive week, Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M hold firm as the top three teams. Ohio State, which improved to a perfect 10-0 after rolling past UCLA, received a commanding 57 of the 66 first-place votes. Indiana, now 11-0 for the first time ever, secured eight first-place votes, while Texas A&M received one.
The most notable ascent belongs to Georgia, which powered its way to the No. 4 spot following its sixth straight victory, a decisive 35-10 win over Texas. This marks the Bulldogs' second triumph over a top-10 opponent this season. Their rise was complemented by a significant return to form for Oklahoma, which jumped three spots to No. 8. The Sooners' re-entry into the top 10, a feat last achieved in the second week of October, was powered by their statement win that ended Alabama's eight-game win streak, causing the Crimson Tide to plummet six places to No. 10.
Oregon and Texas Tech find themselves locked in a tie for the No. 6 position, while Notre Dame held steady at No. 9 after a 22-point victory at Pittsburgh. Mississippi also made a notable return to the top five, slotting in at No. 5.
Historic Moments and Group of Five Success
Beyond the established powerhouses, the rankings celebrated a piece of history. North Texas earned its first AP Top 25 ranking since 1959, debuting at No. 22. The Mean Green, representing the American Conference, clobbered UAB 53-24 on the road to match the best start in program history at 9-1. The last time the team was ranked, they reached No. 16 before finishing the 1959 season with a 9-2 record.
North Texas is one of three Group of Five teams to make the prestigious list, demonstrating the expanding competitive depth in college football. James Madison of the Sun Belt Conference moved up three spots to No. 21 after blowing out Appalachian State. With this ranking, the Mean Green are already eligible for a second straight bowl game and are firmly in the race for the Group of Five's automatic College Football Playoff bid.
