The latest rankings in college football showcase a few familiar names at the top. Georgia once again holds the No. 1 spot. Under Kirby Smart’s leadership, Georgia continues to dominate. Alabama remains a top contender with Kalen DeBoer coaching the team. Ohio State boasts one of the best players in college football. Despite a minor setback against Texas, Ohio State looks like a national championship contender.
Miami and Notre Dame are as yet untested. They are heading for a decisive meeting on November 7 in South Bend. The outcome could define a clear national title favorite. The new AP poll emphasizes that five teams have distanced themselves from others. This, however, doesn’t mean others like Indiana, Texas, or Utah can’t contend for the title. They might still play deep into January. But for now, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Miami, and Notre Dame form the top tier.
On the flip side, Oregon has slipped out of the Top 25. LSU teeters on the brink of being unranked after suffering a second loss this year. Despite high expectations, Oregon seems out of the College Football Playoff race, with LSU facing a tough schedule ahead, including Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee. The usual order in premium conferences shows a bit of change.
UCLA now ranks No. 12, with Kentucky and Mississippi State in the top 20. Interestingly, Northwestern finds itself ranked as well. Even as the familiar teams hold onto top spots in the AP Top 25, new and energetic teams are filling out the rankings.
Wake Forest has finally entered the AP Top 25. I’ve ranked the Demon Deacons for weeks, yet it took time for others to see their potential as possibly the second-best team in the ACC. This strengthens Miami’s resume with a top-25 win. Texas Tech doesn’t seem to be the 10th-best team nationally, nor the second-best in the Big 12. But clarity will come as Texas Tech faces tougher competition.
Dropping Texas behind Ohio State seems sensible. I had them separated by more distance than the official poll. Ohio State’s lone loss isn’t as damaging as Texas’ loss to Oklahoma, placing Ohio State in a stronger grouping. Ohio State’s win over Iowa gains value as the Hawkeyes edge up the poll.
The new rankings create exciting encounters for next weekend. A top-five clash is set to highlight the last two national champions in Bloomington. In addition, Provo will see a top-10 face-off between Notre Dame and BYU.
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