AP Top 25 Rankings: Miami No. 1, BYU Climbs to No. 2

The latest Associated Press (AP) Top 25 College Football rankings have undergone a dramatic shake-up after an extraordinary week in which five of the nation’s top seven teams suffered defeats. Miami claimed the No. 1 position for the first time since the 2002 season, while BYU climbed to No. 2, earning its highest ranking since winning the national championship in 1984.

The updated rankings reflect one of the most unpredictable weeks of the college football season. Miami survived a dramatic double-overtime contest against Florida State to remain unbeaten, while BYU produced one of the weekend’s biggest upsets by defeating Notre Dame 28-24 at home.

Ohio State moved into third place, while Notre Dame and Georgia remained inside the top five despite suffering narrow defeats. The results created a tightly contested race at the top of the rankings, with Miami, BYU and Ohio State separated by relatively small voting margins.

Georgia’s time at No. 1 lasted just one week after its home defeat to Auburn. The Bulldogs became the second consecutive team to lose its top ranking after falling to an unranked opponent, following Texas’ earlier setback.

With several prominent programs losing ground, Alabama and Texas experienced particularly significant drops. Meanwhile, undefeated teams such as Texas Tech, UCLA and Utah continued to strengthen their positions in the national rankings.

Miami Hurricanes Return to No. 1 for the First Time Since 2002

Miami’s rise to the top of the AP Top 25 marks a significant milestone for one of college football’s most historically successful programs. The Hurricanes last occupied the No. 1 position during the 2002 season, which ended with their appearance in the national championship game against Ohio State.

The Hurricanes moved up two places after defeating rival Florida State in a dramatic double-overtime game. The victory kept Miami unbeaten at 6-0 and helped the team take advantage of losses suffered by several higher-ranked opponents.

Miami received 40 of the 70 first-place votes from the media voting panel. The Hurricanes finished just 22 points ahead of BYU, demonstrating how closely contested the top of the rankings had become.

The result also made Miami the first Atlantic Coast Conference team to reach No. 1 in the AP poll since Clemson in 2020. Before Clemson’s rise, Florida State had been the last ACC program to occupy the top spot, doing so in 2014.

Miami’s position at the top reflects both its unbeaten record and the opportunities created by the unpredictable results elsewhere. However, maintaining that ranking will require the Hurricanes to continue winning as the schedule becomes increasingly important.

One immediate challenge awaits Miami in its next game, when the Hurricanes are scheduled to host unranked Pittsburgh. With the top spot now secured, Miami will face additional pressure to avoid the kind of upset that affected other leading teams during the previous week.

BYU Climbs to No. 2 After Stunning Notre Dame Upset

BYU was one of the biggest winners in the latest rankings, moving into second place after defeating Notre Dame 28-24. The Cougars entered the matchup as 10.5-point underdogs but produced a determined performance to improve their record to 6-0.

The victory elevated BYU to its highest AP ranking since its 1984 national championship season. The program has not won another national championship since that campaign, making its current position particularly meaningful for its supporters.

According to the supplied rankings report, BYU had not been ranked higher than fourth since its championship season and had not appeared in the top five since 1996. Its rise to No. 2 therefore represents a major milestone in the program’s modern history.

The Cougars received 20 first-place votes and finished only 22 points behind Miami. They also held a 26-point advantage over third-ranked Ohio State, placing them firmly in the national title conversation based on the latest poll.

BYU’s 28-24 victory was especially important because it came against a Notre Dame team that had entered the matchup with an established reputation and an unbeaten start. Beating a highly ranked opponent provided the Cougars with a significant result at a crucial stage of the season.

BYU has now started 6-0 for the third consecutive year, according to the supplied report. The next challenge will be to maintain that consistency and turn an impressive regular-season start into a successful finish.

Ohio State Moves to No. 3 as Notre Dame and Georgia Stay in the Top Five

Ohio State secured the third position after defeating Indiana, another highly ranked team. The Buckeyes improved to 6-1 and received nine first-place votes, placing them behind Miami and BYU in the latest poll.

The victory over Indiana helped Ohio State strengthen its position despite the widespread upheaval across college football. Indiana also finished with a 6-1 record but dropped to No. 6 after suffering its first defeat of the season.

Notre Dame remained fourth despite losing 28-24 to BYU. The Fighting Irish’s defeat cost them ground in the rankings, but their earlier performances helped them avoid a more substantial fall.

Georgia occupied fifth place after losing at home to Auburn. The Bulldogs had been ranked No. 1 the previous week, but their defeat ended that short stay at the top.

Notre Dame, Georgia and Indiana all entered the weekend with strong records, which helped protect their positions despite losing. The poll’s voters also had to account for the quality of their opponents, with Notre Dame and Indiana suffering defeats against top-10 teams.

The resulting top five features Miami, BYU, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Georgia. Although the rankings changed dramatically, the established strength of several leading programs prevented a complete collapse of the top 10.

AP Top 25 College Football Rankings

The latest AP Top 25 reflects the impact of the weekend’s results, with Miami and BYU occupying the top two positions. The following table lists all 25 ranked teams and their records as provided in the supplied report.

Note: First-place votes are shown where specified in the supplied report. The listed voting figures total 70, with Texas Tech receiving the remaining first-place vote.

Alabama and Texas Suffer Major Ranking Drops

While Miami and BYU celebrated their climbs, Alabama and Texas experienced difficult weekends that significantly affected their positions in the AP Top 25.

Alabama fell seven places to No. 13 after losing to Tennessee. The Crimson Tide now have a 5-2 record, leaving them with less room for error as they attempt to recover and remain relevant in the national rankings.

The defeat was a reminder that even established programs can lose ground quickly in a competitive college football season. Alabama’s position outside the top 10 means the team will need stronger results to regain its previous standing.

Texas suffered an even steeper decline, dropping 12 places to No. 19 after losing at home to Florida. The Longhorns’ record fell to 4-2, adding pressure on the team to improve its performances in the coming weeks.

The supplied report also suggested that Texas could consider a change at quarterback. Any such decision would be significant for a team trying to recover from consecutive setbacks and restore confidence in its offence.

Florida, meanwhile, climbed into the rankings at No. 20 after defeating Texas. The result offered a boost to the Gators and helped them improve their position amid a weekend that produced several unexpected outcomes.

Unbeaten Teams Strengthen Their Positions

Miami and BYU were not the only teams to benefit from the latest rankings update. Several unbeaten programs remained well positioned after another weekend of college football action.

Texas Tech moved to No. 8 with a 6-0 record and received the remaining first-place vote. The Red Raiders’ position reflects their unbeaten start and their growing presence in the national conversation.

UCLA climbed to No. 9, matching its highest ranking since 2022. The Bruins also remained unbeaten at 6-0, giving them an opportunity to strengthen their position with further victories.

Utah held the No. 10 position with a 6-0 record. The Utes escaped Colorado despite entering the game as 15.5-point favourites, demonstrating how difficult it can be to navigate conference matchups even when a team is expected to win comfortably.

Houston also made progress, rising to No. 14. It was the Cougars’ highest ranking since they reached No. 11 midway through the 2016 season.

These teams could become increasingly important as the season progresses. With several established contenders already suffering defeats, unbeaten programs have opportunities to improve their rankings and strengthen their cases for postseason consideration.

SEC Remains the Most Represented Conference

The Southeastern Conference continued to lead all conferences in the AP Top 25, with nine teams appearing in the rankings. However, Georgia’s fall to No. 5 means the SEC no longer has a team in either of the top two positions.

The conference’s nine ranked teams are Georgia at No. 5, Ole Miss at No. 7, Tennessee at No. 11, Kentucky at No. 12, Alabama at No. 13, LSU at No. 18, Texas at No. 19, Florida at No. 20 and Missouri at No. 22.

The Big Ten has five ranked teams: Ohio State at No. 3, UCLA at No. 9, Iowa at No. 15, USC at No. 16 and Northwestern at No. 24.

The Big 12 also has five representatives, including No. 2 BYU, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 10 Utah, No. 14 Houston and No. 25 Arizona.

The ACC has three ranked teams: Miami at No. 1, Wake Forest at No. 17 and SMU at No. 23. Notre Dame is the sole independent program in the rankings at No. 4, while Boise State represents the Pac-12 at No. 21.

The distribution highlights the strength of several conferences while showing how Miami’s rise has changed the balance at the top of the national poll.

Historic Week Produces Multiple Ranking Milestones

The latest AP Top 25 included several notable developments beyond Miami’s return to No. 1 and BYU’s rise to second place.

According to the supplied report, five of the top seven teams lost during the same week for the first time in the AP poll’s 90-year history. The scale of the disruption created opportunities for teams that avoided defeat and forced voters to reassess the leading contenders.

The report also noted that the last time the top two teams both lost during the same regular-season week was in 2017. During that weekend, No. 1 Alabama lost to Auburn and No. 2 Miami fell to Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving weekend.

Another historical comparison concerned consecutive losses by top-ranked teams to unranked opponents. The last time unranked teams defeated No. 1 teams in consecutive weeks was 1990. Miami now faces Pittsburgh, an unranked opponent, in its next game, adding an intriguing subplot to its return to the top of the rankings.

The SEC’s position also drew attention. The report noted that the last time the conference’s highest-ranked team sat behind teams from each of the other major conferences was December 3, 2023, when Alabama ranked fifth behind Michigan, Washington, Texas and Florida State.

These comparisons underline the unusual nature of the latest poll. While a single weekend can change rankings considerably, the simultaneous defeats of multiple leading teams made this update particularly consequential.

Key Upcoming Matchups to Watch

The next round of college football games will provide opportunities for several ranked teams to strengthen their positions or recover from disappointing results.

No. 7 Ole Miss at No. 19 Texas

Ole Miss will travel to face Texas in a matchup involving two teams moving in different directions. The Rebels have responded to a 24-point defeat against Florida by outscoring Vanderbilt and Missouri by a combined 83-20.

Texas, by contrast, is attempting to recover from its home loss to Florida. The Longhorns have fallen to No. 19 and may face questions about their quarterback situation, according to the supplied report.

The game offers Ole Miss a chance to strengthen its position in the top 10, while Texas will be looking to halt its slide and restore momentum.

No. 14 Houston at No. 10 Utah

Houston faces a major challenge against unbeaten Utah in another ranked matchup. The Cougars have recorded one victory over a ranked opponent in each of the previous three seasons and will look to add another against the Utes.

Utah enters the contest at 6-0 but will need to remain focused after narrowly escaping Colorado. A victory over Houston would strengthen its position inside the top 10, while an upset could significantly improve Houston’s national standing.

Both games could influence the next AP Top 25 update, particularly if the results produce further changes among the ranked teams.

What the Latest AP Top 25 Means for the College Football Season

The latest rankings demonstrate how quickly the college football landscape can change when several leading teams lose in the same weekend. Miami has taken advantage of the opportunity to return to No. 1, while BYU’s victory over Notre Dame has elevated the Cougars into an unfamiliar but deservedly prominent position.

Ohio State remains firmly in contention at No. 3, and Notre Dame and Georgia still occupy places in the top five despite their defeats. Meanwhile, unbeaten programs such as Texas Tech, UCLA and Utah have opportunities to move higher if they continue winning.

For Alabama and Texas, the immediate priority will be responding to their setbacks. Both programs have dropped significantly, and their remaining games will be important in determining whether they can regain momentum.

The rankings also show that an unbeaten record can be particularly valuable during a chaotic season. Teams that avoid costly losses may benefit as established contenders fall, although future results will ultimately determine how long they remain near the top.

Conclusion

Miami’s return to No. 1 and BYU’s climb to No. 2 headline a dramatic AP Top 25 update following a weekend in which five of the top seven teams lost. Miami stayed unbeaten after surviving Florida State in double overtime, while BYU earned a statement victory over Notre Dame to reach its highest ranking since the 1984 national championship season.

Ohio State moved to third, with Notre Dame and Georgia completing the top five despite suffering defeats. Alabama and Texas experienced major drops, while UCLA and Houston achieved notable ranking milestones.

With several ranked matchups approaching, the next weekend could bring further changes to the college football rankings. Miami will attempt to protect its newly earned position, BYU will look to maintain its momentum, and the chasing teams will aim to turn the latest shake-up into an opportunity to climb.