AP Top 25 poll: Texas jumps Ohio State as SEC makes history in college football rankings

Texas made a big move in the AP Top 25 this week after a huge road win against Michigan. The Longhorns leapfrogged Ohio State, the Wolverines’ biggest, rival, for the No. 2 spot behind still top-ranked Georgia. 

The Buckeyes still received more first-place votes with five to the Longhorns’ four. Those two, and Georgia, were the only three schools to get any consideration for the top spot. 

Elsewhere, Ole Miss was a big winner in the fallout from Notre Dame’s 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, as the Rebels leapt to No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 ahead of Week 3’s slate of games. It’s the first time since Week 3 of the 2015 season that Ole Miss, which also ranked No. 5 in the latest Coaches Poll, has landed in the top five of the AP poll. 

Tennessee also benefited from Notre Dame’s stumble — and Michigan’s big loss at home to Texas — to break into the top 10 at No. 7. The Vols climbed seven spots from No. 14 after a 51-10 win against NC State. The SEC dominated the top of the latest rankings, grabbing six of the first seven spots, which is a first in the 88-year-old poll’s history. 

Kansas, NC State, Georgia Tech and Iowa all dropped out of the top 25 after major nonconference losses, which opened the door for a slew of newcomers to make their 2024 AP poll debut. Iowa State made a huge leap to No. 21 after downing the Hawkeyes, while Nebraska, Boston College and Northern Illinois all rocketed into the poll to round out Nos. 23-25. 

Here’s a look at the full AP Top 25 poll now that the dust has settled from an eventful Week 2. 

AP Top 25 poll 

1. Georgia (57)
2. Texas (4)
3. Ohio State (5)
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Missouri
7. Tennessee
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Miami
11. USC
12. Utah
13. Oklahoma State
14. Kansas State
15. Oklahoma
16. LSU
17. Michigan
18. Notre Dame
19. Louisville
20. Arizona
21. Iowa State
22. Clemson
23. Nebraska
24. Boston College
25. Northern Illinois

Others receiving votes: Illinois (101); Boise St. (77); Texas A&M (68); Syracuse (63); Memphis (38); Washington (27); Iowa (24); Kansas (22); Vanderbilt (18); South Carolina (10); Liberty (9); Wisconsin (9); UNLV (7); North Carolina (7); California (3); BYU (2); UCF (1); TCU (1)