The newest AP Top 25 poll is out. While we’re basically in the same spot we were in before the college football world took the field for the opening week, there were some changes to take note of with several new teams coming into the rankings and the top five taking on a different look from how it was laid out in the preseason. It also now features a record 10 (!) SEC teams:
- Ohio State
- Alabama
- TCU
- Baylor
- Michigan State
- Auburn
- Oregon
- USC
- Notre Dame
- Georgia
- Florida State
- Clemson
- UCLA
- LSU
- Georgia Tech
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- Boise State
- Missouri
- Arizona
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Mississippi State
First and foremost, we say goodbye to Stanford, Wisconsin, and Arizona State, who all dropped their opening contest. It was somewhat excusable for the Badgers and Sun Devils, as they were facing off against tough SEC opponents, but Stanford losing the #nerdbattle in upset fashion against Northwestern was relatively shocking, considering some analysts were even projecting them to be national championship contenders.
Newcomers to the ranking this week include Texas A&M (No. 16), which took down the aforementioned Arizona State in commanding fashion, as well as fellow SEC foe Mississippi State (No. 25), who downed Southern Miss in their opener and is the beneficiary of teams dropping out in front of them. Utah also enters into the Top 25 after they knocked off Jim Harbaugh in his Michigan debut 24-17 in at No. 24.
As for the top of the poll, the Ohio State Buckeyes remain No. 1 after they took revenge on Virginia Tech on Monday night. The defending National Champions struggled in the first half against the Hookies, but turned it on in the second, thanks in part to Braxton Miller’s video game-like spin move.
TCU was the No. 2 team in the country last week, but now they drop down a spot, thanks in part to a rather unimpressive opener against Minnesota. Replacing them at No. 2 is Alabama, who easily beat No. 20 Wisconsin at Jerry World in their first game of the season.
Baylor takes the No. 4 spot for now, one behind Big 12 rivals the Horned Frogs, while Michigan State, who will face off against No. 7 Oregon in a marquee matchup next week, rounds out the top five.
