The AP Top 25 reveals that Texas has claimed the No. 1 spot for the first time in 16 years, moving up from No. 2 with an impressive 35 first-place votes and a total of 1,540 points. Meanwhile, Georgia, which has held the top position since the preseason, garnered 23 first-place votes and accumulated 1,518 points.
Ohio State maintained its No. 3 ranking during an off week, receiving five first-place votes. Alabama and Ole Miss remained steady at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, while Tennessee climbed to No. 6, swapping positions with SEC rival Missouri.
The last time Texas held the No. 1 position was in the middle of the 2008 season, when they enjoyed three weeks at the top before suffering a notable loss to Texas Tech in November. With a home game against Louisiana-Monroe on the horizon, the Longhorns are poised to maintain their lead, potentially featuring Arch Manning as the starting quarterback.
Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, stepped in during the game against UTSA when Quinn Ewers exited due to a minor abdominal injury. Coach Steve Sarkisian expressed pride in Manning’s performance, stating, “There’s nothing like being in the game. Playing in front of 105,000 people is not the easiest thing to do.”
Following a week when the SEC showcased six teams in the top seven, the conference repeated this impressive feat.
There was notable movement in the lower half of the top 10, with Oregon rising to No. 8 and Miami (Fla.) to No. 9, while Penn State slipped back to No. 10.
It is not uncommon for a team to win and still drop from No. 1; this marks the 94th occurrence since the poll’s inception in 1936. The last instance was when Georgia and Alabama exchanged the top position multiple times in 2022.
Georgia’s recent victory over Kentucky was a nail-biter, requiring a second-half comeback to secure a 13-12 win. This performance marked the lowest point total by a No. 1 team in a victory since Alabama’s 10-0 win over LSU in 2016.
In its inaugural SEC season, Texas continues to lead the conference, maintaining a presence in the top rankings for 50 of the last 52 polls since the start of the 2021 season. Michigan of the Big Ten has been the only team to interrupt this SEC dominance in the final two polls of the previous season, which included 10 top rankings for Alabama.
Looking ahead, both Alabama and Georgia will have a bye week to prepare for what is anticipated to be a thrilling top-five matchup in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on September 28, prompting speculation about the next No. 1.
Boston College recently joined fellow ACC team Georgia Tech in a brief return to the rankings, only to fall out after a loss to Missouri. This marked their first ranking appearance since 2018.
Arizona also exited the rankings for the first time this season after a heavy defeat against Kansas State.
Illinois made its season debut in the rankings at No. 24, while Texas A&M returned at No. 25.
The Big Ten, with its 18 teams, matched a conference record by having seven teams ranked, a feat achieved 11 times previously.
SEC: 9 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 25).
Big Ten: 7 (Nos. 3, 9, 10, 11, 18, 22, 24).
Big 12: 4 (Nos. 12, 13, 14, 20).
ACC: 3 (Nos. 8, 19, 21).
Mid-American: 1 (No. 23).
Independent: 1 (No. 17).
Here’s the complete top 25:
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Tennessee
7. Missouri
8. Miami (Fla.)
9. Oregon
10. Penn State
11. USC
12. Utah
13. Kansas State
14. Oklahoma State
15. Oklahoma
16. LSU
17. Notre Dame
18. Michigan
19. Louisville
20. Iowa State
21. Clemson
22. Nebraska
23. Northern Illinois
24. Illinois
25. Texas A&M
