The latest AP Top 25 poll sees Vanderbilt achieve its highest ranking in 88 years at No. 9, while LSU drops out after three losses in four games. The Big 12 now features five ranked teams, and the top six, led by Ohio State, remain unchanged.
The Associated Press college football poll released Sunday brought significant shifts and notable milestones. For the first time this season, the Big 12 conference boasts five teams in the Top 25, while Vanderbilt made history by earning its highest ranking in 88 years, climbing to No. 9 after a 7-1 start. This impressive run includes a program-record three regular-season wins against Top 25 opponents. Conversely, LSU, which was ranked as high as No. 3 earlier in the season, fell out of the poll entirely following its third loss in four games, including a decisive defeat against Texas A&M. The top six teams remained unchanged, with Ohio State holding the No. 1 spot for a ninth consecutive week, securing 53 first-place votes. They are followed by Indiana (11 first-place votes), Texas A&M (1 first-place vote), Alabama, Georgia, and Oregon. Other movements within the top 10 saw Mississippi and Georgia swap spots with Mississippi now at No. 7, and Vanderbilt and Miami, which is tied at No. 10 with BYU, also adjusted their positions. New entries into the Top 25 include No. 22 Houston, making its first appearance since 2022 after a road win against then-No. 24 Arizona State; No. 24 Utah, following a dominant 53-7 victory over Colorado; and No. 25 Memphis. Teams dropping out of the poll were South Florida, LSU, Illinois, and Arizona State. Conference representation shows the SEC leading with nine ranked teams, followed by the Big Ten and Big 12 each with five, the ACC with four, the American with one, and one Independent. Key upcoming ranked matchups include No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas, No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah, and No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee.
