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College football rankings delivered one of the most surprising twists of the young season Tuesday, as Michigan dropped out of the Associated Press Top 25 despite defeating Western Michigan. LSU, meanwhile, surged into the top 10 after a dominant opening-week victory over Clemson.
Ohio State remained No. 1 by a wide margin ahead of its highly anticipated showdown with No. 4 Texas. The Buckeyes received 46 first-place votes from the 69-member voting panel, while seven different teams earned at least one first-place vote in the latest AP poll.
Shocking College Football Rankings Shake Up the Top 25
Michigan’s fall was the biggest headline in the new college football rankings. The Wolverines had entered the week at No. 16 but were removed entirely after a tense 13-12 home victory over Western Michigan.
The result was decided in dramatic fashion. After one second was restored to the clock, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood received another opportunity to throw a Hail Mary. His pass found JJ Buchanan, allowing the Wolverines to escape with the victory.
Despite the win, Michigan’s uneven offensive performance and last-second reliance on a second-chance play clearly influenced voters. According to the Associated Press, it was the first time since at least 2008 that a team ranked as high as No. 16 fell out of the poll immediately after winning.
LSU Makes a Powerful Leap Under Lane Kiffin
LSU delivered one of Week 1’s most impressive performances, overpowering Clemson 51-10 in Lane Kiffin’s debut in Baton Rouge. That result lifted the Tigers from No. 11 to No. 8, giving LSU its first top-10 ranking since it was No. 4 following a 4-0 start last season.
The rise comes during a major transition for the program. LSU dismissed Brian Kelly during the previous season and hired Kiffin with the expectation that he could restore the Tigers to national prominence. The emphatic win over Clemson offered an early sign that LSU may be ready to challenge for a major postseason spot.
LSU’s promotion pushed Oklahoma from No. 10 to No. 11, even though the Sooners opened their season with a 51-0 shutout of UTEP. Oklahoma will now travel to Michigan in a matchup that has lost some of its preseason appeal following the Wolverines’ narrow escape.
Ohio State Leads a Crowded Championship Picture
Georgia moved to No. 2, Notre Dame climbed to No. 3, and Texas rose to No. 4. Indiana, the defending national champion, advanced to No. 5 after receiving eight first-place votes, the second-highest total in the poll.
Oregon slipped from No. 2 to No. 6 after beating Boise State 34-27 as a 25.5-point favorite. Miami held at No. 7, followed by LSU, Ole Miss at No. 9 and Texas A&M at No. 10.
The complete top 10 is:
- No. 1 Ohio State
- No. 2 Georgia
- No. 3 Notre Dame
- No. 4 Texas
- No. 5 Indiana
- No. 6 Oregon
- No. 7 Miami
- No. 8 LSU
- No. 9 Ole Miss
- No. 10 Texas A&M
Other notable teams included Alabama at No. 12, Texas Tech at No. 13, USC at No. 14, BYU at No. 15 and Penn State at No. 16. Virginia entered the rankings at No. 25 after an impressive Week 0 victory over NC State.
Ohio State and Texas Set for Critical Top-Five Battle
The most important game on the upcoming schedule is No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas. It is the first regular-season matchup between top-five teams since these programs met in Columbus to open the 2025 season.
Texas was ranked No. 1 in that meeting but lost 14-7. Ohio State then moved to the top spot and stayed there until falling to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. This year’s rematch could have major consequences for the national title race and the College Football Playoff picture.
The latest poll also highlighted the depth of the national field. Twenty-four of the 25 ranked teams won during the opening week, marking the first time that has happened since Week 1 of the 2019 season. With conference races beginning to take shape, every result will carry greater weight in the next college football rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Michigan fall out of the rankings after winning?
Michigan defeated Western Michigan 13-12, but the narrow victory featured an inconsistent offense and a second-chance Hail Mary after one second was restored. Voters dropped the Wolverines from No. 16 to unranked.
Why did LSU move into the top 10?
LSU rose from No. 11 to No. 8 after defeating Clemson 51-10 in Lane Kiffin’s first game as head coach in Baton Rouge.
Who is No. 1 in the latest AP poll?
Ohio State remained No. 1 and received 46 first-place votes, far more than any other team.
What is the biggest upcoming ranked matchup?
No. 1 Ohio State will visit No. 4 Texas in a critical top-five matchup with major national championship implications.
