After each week of the college football season, a fresh set of rankings drop, highlighting the Top 25 teams in the nation. There are two major polls used in the college football, the AP Poll voted on by members of the media, and the Coaches Poll voted on by, well you can probably figure that one out. In October, the College Football Playoff rankings join the other two and take over as the base rankings for the rest of the season.
After a four week run at No. 1, Alabama falls to No. 2 and gives way to our third No. 1 team of the season. Saturday afternoon’s victory over the Auburn Tigers helped jettison Louisiana State over Alabama and into the number one spot. This all but guarantees a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown on November 9th in Tuscaloosa. This should be confirmed next Tuesday when the first College Football Playoff rankings are revealed.
AP Poll
Others receiving votes: Texas 49, Navy 43, UCF 33, Washington 19, Texas A&M 14, USC 11, Louisiana Tech 6, Indiana 4, Oklahoma State 1, Pittsburgh 1, Iowa State 1, North Dakota State 1
Dropped from rankings: Texas 15, Iowa State 23, Arizona State 24
Other than LSU taking the leap over Alabama for the top spot, the rest of the AP Poll Top 5 remained the same with Ohio State and Clemson rounding out the group. Where the most movement came is between slots 5 and 11 with Oklahoma and Auburn taking losses over the weekend.
Oklahoma fell from the ranks of the unbeaten when they were upset by Kansas State while Auburn saw its national title hopes take a major hit, losing to LSU on the road. Both sides fell to No. 10 and No. 11 respectively.
Benefitting from the misfortune of Oklahoma and Auburn are five sides who very much remain in the thick of the playoff chase. Penn State knocked off rival Michigan State in a sloppy East Lansing and replaced Oklahoma at No. 5, their highest ranking of the season.
Oregon and Utah represent the PAC-12’s playoff hopes and both are back in the Top 10 after early season losses. Right now Oregon should be the favorite of the two to make the playoffs until Utah can find a way to take control of the South division.
SEC East rivals Florida and Georgia both sit comfortably in the Top 10 with their annual showdown looming this weekend. This time next week, only one will be left standing with a realistic shot at making the playoffs.
Further down the AP Poll, undefeated Baylor and Minnesota continue to slowly climb the rankings but still have work to do if they hope to be considered for a playoff spot. Michigan rebounded from its loss to Penn State by routing Notre Dame at home to climb five spots. Southern Methodist remains the highest ranked Group of 5 side coming in at No. 15.
Speaking of the Fighting Irish, they are the biggest losers this week, falling eight spots after being thrashed by the Wolverines and likely saw their playoff hopes evaporate. Wisconsin continues its downward spiral, dropping five spots following a brow beating in Columbus.
Leaving the rankings this week were Texas, Iowa State, Arizona State, to be replaced by Kansas State, Memphis, and San Diego State.
For a closer look on how media members voted individually, check the image below.
Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: San Diego State 94, Navy 75, UCF 24, Louisiana Tech 22, Indiana 18, Texas A&M 16, Washington 15, Oklahoma State 7, Iowa State 3, UAB 3, Arizona State 3, Air Force 3, Virginia Tech 3, Wyoming 2, Virginia 2
Dropped from rankings: Arizona State 24
AP voters may love what Louisiana State has done this season but the coaches aren’t quite as convinced it seems. They did push the Tigers above Clemson this week, but they still have some work to do before they take over Alabama for the top spot. They will get that opportunity in two weeks.
Oklahoma was not punished quite as harshly for being upset by Kansas State, but did fall enough for Penn State, Florida, Georgia, and Oregon all to climb. The Sooners dropped to ninth place with Utah rounding out the Top 10.
Undefeated sides Baylor, Minnesota, and Southern Methodist are all ranked in the Top 15, while fellow undefeated Appalachian State sits at No. 20.
Michigan rounds out the Top 15 after clobbering Notre Dame, sending the Irish down a week high nine spots, tying them with Texas for biggest drop of the week. AP voters knocked Texas to the realm of the unranked while the coaches were a little more lenient in their assessment of the Longhorns.
Arizona State was the only side dropping from the Coaches Poll altogether this week, with Kansas State sneaking in at No. 25 to replace the Sun Devils.
Top 25 Schedule: Week 10
Let’s take a quick peek at who the Top 25 teams will be playing in Week 10.
Over 1/3 of the Top 25 is on bye this week but there are still two games on the docket that carry significant postseason consequences.
First up will be the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” between SEC East rivals the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville. Whoever wins will control the SEC East and be on track for the SEC title game in December and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff. For the loser, they will likely see any hope of competing for a national championship go up in smoke.
Our other ranked match up takes place in the American Athletic Conference where the Group of 5 New Year’s Six spot could be on the line. Undefeated Southern Methodist travels to Memphis for their latest test. After surviving against Houston, the Mustangs head to road for their biggest game to date.
Another game to keep an eye on is No. 7 Oregon traveling to Los Angeles for a meeting with Southern California. Right now the Ducks represent the PAC-12’s best playoff hope and if Utah hopes to join that conversation, will need the Ducks to win on Saturday night.
Each and every week throughout the college football season we will be checking in with the latest rankings and Top 25 schedule so make sure you are checking back to keep up to date on the latest from the college football world.
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