After a thrilling weekend of college football, fans in Austin were left stunned as the top-ranked Texas Longhorns fell to the Georgia Bulldogs in a 30-15 upset. This pivotal loss is sure to shake up the upcoming AP Top 25 rankings, and a new No. 1 team appears poised to take the crown: the Oregon Ducks.
Oregon, currently ranked No. 2, has shown remarkable resilience, especially following their impressive victories, including a recent win against Ohio State. With this new momentum, the Ducks are on course to take the top spot for the first time since 2012, when they briefly claimed the No. 1 ranking. During that season, they were the national runner-up. If the Ducks can maintain their performance, they aim to hold onto this ranking longer this time around.
Georgia’s strong showing over Texas will move them up from fifth to third in the new rankings. While they aren’t in a position to leapfrog Oregon, their performance in Austin has surely boosted their confidence within the SEC. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions from Penn State remain at No. 2 after taking a bye week. They are set to return to the field next week against Wisconsin.
The updated poll highlights several teams that have also made their mark during Week 8. Ohio State holds steady at No. 4, while the one-loss Texas squad will drop to the fifth position after their defeat. Miami, with standout performances from quarterback Cam Ward, stays firm in sixth place.
Losing teams aren’t the only storyline, as the Iowa State Cyclones continue to impress with a 7-0 record after a last-minute victory, placing them at No. 8. Indiana’s high-scoring win against Nebraska showcases their growing confidence, potentially propelling them ahead of BYU to No. 12. Other teams like Tennessee and Alabama are also working their way through the rankings after tough games.
As the days of anticipation await the official rankings release, one thing is clear: college football never ceases to surprise, and this week’s results are no exception.
