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Top AP poll news delivered another major shake-up Sunday, with Georgia returning to No. 1 after a dominant victory over Ole Miss. The Bulldogs reclaimed the top spot following a 42-7 road win, while Ohio State’s dramatic slide continued after a second consecutive loss.
The latest Associated Press Top 25, released Nov. 8, reflected a chaotic weekend across college football. Miami became the fourth team to lose the No. 1 ranking this season, marking the most teams to occupy the top position since 2008.
Top AP Poll Reveals Georgia’s Powerful Return
Georgia received 53 of 70 first-place votes from the media panel, finishing comfortably ahead of Utah and Notre Dame. The Bulldogs had spent one week at No. 1 earlier this season before losing to Auburn on Oct. 17.
That defeat, however, did little to damage Georgia’s standing. The Bulldogs remained in the top five and answered their critics with one of their strongest performances of the season. Georgia’s 42-7 victory at Ole Miss featured a commanding defensive display and a statement performance from quarterback Carson Beck and the offense.
Utah moved up to No. 2 after defeating rival BYU 28-20. The result gave the Utes their highest-ever regular-season AP ranking and strengthened their position in the Big 12 race. Utah collected 12 first-place votes.
Notre Dame climbed to No. 3 after handing Miami its first defeat. The Fighting Irish won 31-24 and made a strong case for the College Football Playoff, while Miami dropped to No. 5.
UCLA Makes Historic Leap as Ohio State Falls
Unbeaten UCLA rose to No. 4, matching its highest ranking in 25 years. The Bruins are 9-0 for the first time since 1998 and have built serious momentum as the season enters its decisive stretch.
Ohio State, meanwhile, experienced one of the steepest falls in the latest top poll. The Buckeyes dropped from No. 11 to No. 21 after Oregon recorded a 41-28 victory in Columbus. Ohio State had been ranked No. 2 just two weeks earlier.
The Buckeyes have not been ranked this low, excluding the pandemic-altered 2020 season, since 2014. Their latest defeat followed a road loss at USC and has created fresh questions about Ohio State’s playoff hopes, offensive consistency and ability to compete against elite opponents.
- No. 1 Georgia: 8-1, up from No. 2
- No. 2 Utah: 9-0, up from No. 3
- No. 3 Notre Dame: 8-1, up from No. 4
- No. 4 UCLA: 9-0, up from No. 5
- No. 5 Miami: 8-1, down from No. 1
- No. 21 Ohio State: 6-3, down from No. 11
Alabama, Texas and Tennessee Surge
Several traditional powers gained ground after important victories. Alabama moved to No. 7 after winning at LSU, while Texas climbed to No. 8 following a road victory over Missouri.
Tennessee made one of the week’s biggest moves, jumping from No. 16 to No. 9 after crushing Kentucky 34-6. The Volunteers’ ranking is their highest in two years and gives them renewed momentum in the SEC.
Texas Tech also returned to the top 10 at No. 10 after outscoring West Virginia 53-48 in a high-scoring thriller. Wake Forest held at No. 11, while BYU fell to No. 12 following its loss to Utah.
New Teams Enter, Playoff Pressure Builds
Oregon returned to the poll at No. 18 after its impressive win over Ohio State. The Ducks also own a recent ranked victory over Northwestern, making them one of the weekend’s biggest risers.
SMU re-entered the rankings at No. 25 after dominating Virginia Tech. The Mustangs had been ranked throughout the season before losing at Syracuse.
The updated top poll also highlighted the strength of the SEC, which placed eight teams in the rankings. The Big Ten followed with six ranked programs, while the Big 12 featured five. With several ranked matchups ahead, the playoff picture could shift again quickly.
Upcoming contests include Utah at Arizona, Texas at LSU, Wake Forest at SMU and USC at Indiana. Each game carries major conference and College Football Playoff implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is No. 1 in the latest AP poll?
Georgia is No. 1 after defeating Ole Miss 42-7. The Bulldogs received 53 of 70 first-place votes.
Why did Ohio State fall to No. 21?
Ohio State dropped to No. 21 after losing at home to Oregon 41-28. The defeat was the Buckeyes’ second consecutive loss.
What is Notre Dame’s new ranking?
Notre Dame moved up to No. 3 after defeating previously top-ranked Miami 31-24.
How high did Utah rise?
Utah moved to No. 2 after beating BYU 28-20. It is the Utes’ highest regular-season AP ranking.
