College Football Rankings: A New Number One Emerges
For the first time in 12 years, the Oregon Ducks have claimed the top spot in the Associated Press college football poll. This marks the fourth team to hold the number one ranking this season, following Texas, Alabama, and Georgia.
A Dominant Performance
Oregon’s impressive 35-0 shutout win over Purdue on the road solidified their position as the new number one team. The Ducks received 59 of 61 first-place votes, with Georgia receiving the remaining two votes. The Bulldogs jumped three spots to number two after their 30-15 win over previously top-ranked Texas.
Big Movers in the Poll
Tennessee’s 24-17 win over Alabama resulted in the biggest moves in the poll. The Volunteers jumped from number 11 to number seven, while the Crimson Tide dropped eight spots to number 15, their lowest ranking since 2010. Vanderbilt made its first appearance in the poll since 2013, entering at number 25.
Conference Breakdown
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to dominate the poll, with nine teams represented. The Big Ten follows with five teams, including number one Oregon. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has four teams in the poll, while the Big 12 has three.
Upcoming Matchups
Several high-profile matchups are on tap for this weekend. Number 20 Illinois travels to number one Oregon, while number five Texas visits number 25 Vanderbilt. Number eight LSU takes on number 14 Texas A&M, and number 12 Notre Dame faces off against number 24 Navy.
Poll Points
This season marks the first time since 2012 that four teams will play a game as the number one team in the same season. Oregon was among the four teams that year, along with USC, Alabama, and Notre Dame. The other seasons since 2000 with four or more number one teams were 2007, 2008, and 2010.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
Vanderbilt’s entry into the poll marks their first appearance since 2013. Michigan, which had been ranked in 54 consecutive polls since 2021, fell out of the poll after their loss to Illinois.
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