The AP Top 25 has officially declared Ohio State (14-2) as the No. 1 team after their impressive victory in the national championship. Following a dominant performance throughout the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes secured every first-place vote, solidifying their status as champions. Meanwhile, Notre Dame (14-2) achieved its highest end-of-season ranking since 1993, finishing at No. 2.
Oregon (13-1), which held the top spot in eight consecutive polls leading up to the playoff, suffered a setback against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl quarterfinals, ultimately finishing at No. 3. The Ducks’ previous best final ranking was No. 2 in 2014, highlighting the significance of their season.
Rounding out the top five were Texas (13-3) and Penn State, both of which advanced to the semifinals. This marks a notable achievement for the Longhorns, as they secured a top-five finish for the second consecutive year, a feat not accomplished since 2008-09. For the Nittany Lions, this is their first appearance in the top five since 2005.
In a historic moment, the Big Ten Conference had three teams represented in the final top five, showcasing the league’s competitive strength this season.
Georgia (13-3), ranked No. 6, emerged as the highest-ranked team not to qualify for the 12-team playoff, followed closely by Arizona State (11-3), Boise State (12-2), Tennessee (10-3), and Indiana (11-2).
No. 11 Ole Miss (10-3) capped off their season with an impressive Gator Bowl victory over Duke, while No. 13 BYU (11-2) dominated Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Both teams ranked ahead of two playoff representatives from the ACC, SMU and Clemson.
SMU (11-3) climbed to No. 12 despite a loss to Clemson (10-4) in the ACC championship game and a significant defeat to Penn State in the playoff’s first round. This marks the Mustangs’ highest final ranking since they were eighth in 1984. Clemson, despite their playoff exit to Texas, has maintained a presence in the final poll every year since 2011.
Alabama experienced the steepest decline, falling six spots to No. 17. The Crimson Tide, under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, struggled in their final games, including a narrow bowl loss to Michigan. This ranking is the lowest for Alabama in the final AP poll since 2007, when Nick Saban’s inaugural season ended with a 7-6 record.
Ohio State’s journey saw them at their lowest ranking of the season, No. 7, after a surprising loss to Michigan. However, they rebounded in the playoffs, defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in the championship game held in Atlanta, showcasing their resilience and skill.
With this championship win, the Buckeyes claimed their sixth AP national title, joining the ranks of their previous victories in 1942, 1954, 1968, 2002, and 2014.
Ohio State’s significant leap to No. 1 matched the largest jump in the final poll, alongside Mississippi and No. 16 Illinois (10-3), who also rose five spots.
The Southeastern Conference showcased its dominance with seven teams in the final Top 25, the highest number since 2013.
Arizona State (11-3), crowned Big 12 champions, achieved its highest final ranking since the 1996 Rose Bowl team finished at No. 4.
Boise State, the Mountain West champion, secured a top 10 finish for the first time since 2011, while No. 23 UNLV (11-3) matched its school record for wins and earned a ranking for the first time at season’s end.
Remarkably, no teams that appeared in the previous poll on December 8 were removed from the Top 25, indicating a stable ranking landscape.
Here’s how the final AP Top 25 poll breaks down by conference:
SEC — 7 (Nos. 4, 6, 9, 11, 17, 19, 22)
Big Ten — 5 (Nos. 1, 3, 5, 10, 16)
ACC — 4 (Nos. 12, 14, 18, 20)
Big 12 — 4 (Nos. 7, 13, 15, 25)
AAC — 2 (Nos. 21, 24)
Mountain West — 2 (Nos. 8, 23)
Independent — 1 (No. 2)
Here’s the full top 25:
1. Ohio State
2. Notre Dame
3. Oregon
4. Texas
5. Penn State
6. Georgia
7. Arizona State
8. Boise State
9. Tennessee
10. Indiana
11. Ole Miss
12. SMU
13. BYU
14. Clemson
15. Iowa State
16. Illinois
17. Alabama
18. Miami (Fla.)
19. South Carolina
20. Syracuse
21. Army
22. Missouri
23. UNLV
24. Memphis
25. Colorado
