The AP Top 25 college football poll underwent significant reshuffling after a dramatic opening weekend. Ohio State, the defending national champions, ascended to the number one position, receiving the majority of first-place votes. This marks their first time atop the regular-season rankings since 2015.
Texas, the preseason number one, suffered a defeat and fell to seventh place. This weekend’s results marked only the second time in history, and the first since 1972, that two top-five teams lost in the opening week. Four top-ten teams also fell to defeat.
Penn State held steady at number two, receiving several first-place votes. LSU and Miami both made significant jumps, landing in the top five after impressive victories. Georgia also remained in the top five.
Florida State‘s victory over Alabama propelled them back into the rankings at number fourteen. This was a considerable climb from their preseason position, and it contrasted sharply with Alabama‘s fall to twenty-first, their lowest ranking in seventeen years.
Utah joined the rankings at number twenty-five, marking one of only two new entrants. Their win over UCLA garnered more attention from voters than BYU‘s victory over an FCS opponent. Boise State and Kansas State were dropped from the poll.
Several other teams saw significant changes in their rankings. LSU achieved its highest post-Week 1 ranking since 2012, while Miami saw its best post-Week 1 ranking since 2004. South Carolina also reached the top ten for the first time since 2013.
Ohio State‘s rise to the top spot was the largest jump to number one in a Week 1 poll since 2008. Similarly, Texas‘s drop was the most significant fall for a preseason number one since 1984. The SEC boasts the most ranked teams, followed by the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 conferences. An upcoming matchup between Michigan and Oklahoma promises to be a significant contest.
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