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AP poll football rankings delivered a dramatic shake-up Sunday, with Ohio State falling out of the top 10, UCLA breaking into the top five and New Mexico earning the first ranking in program history. The latest Associated Press Top 25 arrived one day before the College Football Playoff selection committee releases its first rankings of the season.
Explosive AP Poll Football Changes Before CFP Rankings
Ohio State suffered the biggest drop in the poll after losing 30-18 at USC. The Buckeyes plunged from No. 2 to No. 11, marking their first exit from the top 10 since Sept. 26, 2021. The fall ended an 86-week run among the nation’s top 10 teams.
The loss also continued a stunning trend at the top of the rankings. A No. 1 or No. 2 team has lost to an unranked opponent for four consecutive weeks, adding even more uncertainty to the playoff race. USC, meanwhile, jumped back into the rankings at No. 18 and revived its postseason hopes.
Miami held the No. 1 position for the third straight week after surviving North Carolina 38-35. The Hurricanes received 62 of the 70 first-place votes, while Georgia collected seven and Utah received one.
UCLA Reaches a Historic New High
UCLA climbed to No. 5 after improving to 8-0 with a commanding 27-0 shutout of Nevada. It is the Bruins’ highest ranking since they reached No. 4 after starting 6-0 in 2001. The program is also unbeaten through eight games for the first time since 2005 under first-year coach Bob Chesney.
UCLA’s rise gives the Big Ten another major contender near the top of the AP poll football picture. The Bruins are joined in the conference rankings by No. 6 Indiana, No. 11 Ohio State, No. 18 USC and No. 21 Iowa.
New Mexico Makes Program History
New Mexico created one of the weekend’s most memorable stories by entering the AP rankings at No. 22. The Lobos defeated San Jose State 21-16 to move to 7-1, their best start since 1982.
The milestone comes during Jason Eck’s second season as coach. New Mexico is the only Mountain West team unbeaten in conference play and has emerged as a serious contender for the Group of 6 playoff spot. The ranking is the first in program history since the Lobos began playing football in 1892.
Top 10 AP Poll Football Rankings
- No. 1 Miami: 8-0
- No. 2 Georgia: 7-1
- No. 3 Utah: 8-0
- No. 4 Notre Dame: 7-1
- No. 5 UCLA: 8-0
- No. 6 Indiana: 8-1
- No. 7 BYU: 7-1
- No. 8 Kentucky: 7-1
- No. 9 Alabama: 6-2
- No. 10 Texas: 6-2
Georgia moved up to No. 2, while Utah matched its highest ranking since October 2015. Notre Dame remained fourth, setting up a highly anticipated top-five meeting with Miami next Saturday.
Indiana slipped two spots to No. 6 despite defeating Minnesota 23-16 in overtime. The Hoosiers still own the longest active streak of consecutive top-10 appearances at 22 weeks.
Critical Matchups Ahead
The next schedule includes several ranked showdowns that could reshape the playoff race. Miami visits Notre Dame in a meeting that carries the same rankings as the famous 1988 “Catholics vs. Convicts” matchup. Georgia travels to No. 12 Ole Miss seeking revenge for last season’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal defeat.
Other important games include No. 7 BYU at No. 3 Utah, No. 8 Kentucky at No. 16 Tennessee, No. 10 Texas at No. 19 Missouri and No. 9 Alabama at No. 15 LSU. Each contest could influence conference title races and playoff positioning.
The SEC leads all conferences with 10 ranked teams. The Big 12 and Big Ten each have five, while the ACC has two. With the first CFP rankings arriving Tuesday, the latest AP poll football results provide an intriguing preview—but not a final verdict—on which teams are best positioned for the postseason.
FAQs About the AP Poll Football Rankings
Why did Ohio State fall so far in the AP poll?
Ohio State dropped from No. 2 to No. 11 after losing 30-18 at USC. The defeat ended the Buckeyes’ 86-week streak inside the top 10.
What is UCLA’s ranking after Week 9?
UCLA is ranked No. 5 after improving to 8-0 with a 27-0 victory over Nevada.
Has New Mexico ever been ranked before?
No. New Mexico earned the first AP ranking in program history at No. 22 after moving to 7-1.
Who is No. 1 in the latest AP poll?
Miami remains No. 1 for the third consecutive week. The Hurricanes received 62 first-place votes.
When will the first CFP rankings be released?
The College Football Playoff selection committee is scheduled to release its first rankings Tuesday.
