NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll
Ohio State, fresh off a convincing victory over Notre Dame, surged to No. 2 in the rankings. The Buckeyes boast a high-octane offense anchored by quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
"We're excited to be ranked among the top teams in the country," Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. "We have a talented group that's hungry to prove ourselves."
Georgia, the reigning national champions, held steady at No. 4 after a hard-fought win over rival Auburn. The Bulldogs, known for their stout defense, are led by All-American linebacker Nakobe Dean.
"Our goal is to be at our best at the end of the season," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart noted. "We're taking it one game at a time and focusing on improving every week."
Clemson and Oklahoma State made significant leaps in the poll. Clemson, led by quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, climbed to No. 6, while Oklahoma State, guided by Heisman candidate Spencer Sanders, ascended to No. 9.
Michigan, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Notre Dame round out the top 10, with Michigan being the sole new entry. These teams will aim to maintain their momentum and challenge the current top dogs.
The AP Top 25 Poll serves as an early indicator of potential College Football Playoff participants. The top four teams in the final poll will earn berths in the semifinals. With several contenders still undefeated, the playoff race is expected to be fiercely competitive.
"The rankings are a snapshot of where teams stand at the moment," said College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit. "A lot can change over the course of the season, so teams need to stay focused and keep playing at a high level."