This week’s Associated Press college football poll is loaded with movement after another weekend of upsets and big matchups. That will likely continue next week with a couple of big games on tap in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), including two top-five teams meeting in Texas.
There are some legitimate feel-good stories in the poll this week as well. The Army and Navy are still undefeated, and both service academies are ranked in the same AP poll for the first time since 1960. Also undefeated, Indiana climbs all the way to No. 16 this week.
The top 10 is still dominated by the SEC and Big Ten, but this week’s schedule could force a couple teams to slide back and open the door for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to make some more noise.
- Texas (6–0, SEC)
A thorough beating of Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game knocked the Sooners out of the top 25 this week and cements the Longhorns in the top spot in the AP Poll—for now. They host Georgia this weekend in a battle of two top-five teams.
- Oregon (6–0, Big Ten)
A thrilling one-point win over Ohio State on Saturday night moves Oregon up to the No. 2 spot in this week’s poll. The road to the playoff has a few more tough tests for the Ducks, including a Friday night game at Purdue this week. That’s a trap they’ll need to handle.
- Penn State (6–0, Big Ten)
The Nittany Lions came back to win at USC this past weekend and now have a week off before visiting Wisconsin. They host Ohio State to begin November.
- Ohio State (5–1, Big Ten)
The Buckeyes losing track of time cost them an opportunity for the upset at Oregon this past weekend. They have a bye before hosting Nebraska to close out October.
- Georgia (5–1, SEC)
Georgia is still in the playoff picture with one loss, but their path to a berth has its biggest remaining test this weekend with a trip to No. 1 Texas. That’s the biggest game on the national schedule this weekend.
- Miami (6–0, ACC)
Still undefeated and hanging onto the top ACC berth in the playoff picture, the Hurricanes will travel to Louisville this weekend.
- Alabama (5–1, SEC)
One week after losing at Vanderbilt, Bama barely beat South Carolina in Tuscaloosa. Somehow that did not hurt their ranking this week, however. The travel to Tennessee for a huge game with potential playoff implications this weekend.
- LSU (5–1, SEC)
Beating a top ten Ole Miss team on Saturday night moves LSU up five spots into the top ten this week in their own right. They’re at Arkansas on Saturday night, which could be a trap game for the Bayou Bengals.
- Iowa State (6–0, Big 12)
The top-ranked team in the Big 12 hosts UCF on Saturday. With the SEC having two big games this weekend, there’s a chance for the Cyclones to climb even higher in the polls with a win.
- Clemson (5–1, ACC)
Since their season-opening debacle, Clemson has been a force. They’ll host Virginia this weekend.
- Tennessee (5–1, SEC)
An ugly loss on their record has the Volunteers outside the top ten, but they’ll have a chance to make a statement at home this weekend with the Crimson Tide coming to Knoxville. That’s one of the big games of the weekend for the SEC.
- Notre Dame (5–1, Independent)
The Fighting Irish have rebounded from their home loss to Northern Illinois well. They travel to Georgia Tech this weekend for a tough game against an unconventional offense.
- BYU (6–0, Big 12)
One of the remaining undefeated teams in the Big 12 hosts Oklahoma State late on Friday night this week. They’re on a collision course with Iowa State for a playoff.
- Texas A&M (5–1, SEC)
The Aggies are still in the top 15 and travel to Mississippi State this weekend for a mid-afternoon game. They’re another one-loss team in the SEC that’s quietly in the mix.
- Boise State (5–1, Mountain West)
It certainly appears Boise State is in the drivers’ seat for the playoff. Their only loss was by only three at Oregon early in the season and they’ve been rolling since. Ashton Jeanty is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy with 1,248 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns in only six games. They’re off this weekend.
- Indiana (6–0, Big Ten)
Indiana is used to being ranked this high in the basketball polls, not football. They’ll host Nebraska this weekend, so fans are encouraged to wear red.
- Kansas State (5–1, Big 12)
A trip into West Virginia is not easy, and Kansas State has that on the schedule. They’re still in the picture in the Big 12 but need some help at this point.
- Mississippi (5–2, SEC)
A tough loss at LSU this past weekend costs Ole Miss nine spots in the poll, the biggest drop in the poll this week. They’ve lost two of their last three games but are the highest-ranked two-loss team. They’re off and host Oklahoma next weekend.
- Missouri (5–1, SEC)
Nobody is talking about a one-loss Missouri team in the SEC, but a home game against Auburn gives them another chance to stay in the mix for a playoff spot. It’s a war of attrition in the SEC and the Tigers are hanging around.
- Pittsburgh (6–0, ACC)
Pitt finds themselves undefeated in the ACC with only one game left in October, next week at home against Syracuse. Their game against Clemson in the middle of November could become incredibly important in the conference—and playoff standings.
- SMU (5–1, ACC)
An important game in the ACC standings when SMU is at Stanford is a reminder of the changing conference alignment in college football.
- Illinois (5–1, Big Ten)
With only one loss, the Illini are quietly in the mix in the Big Ten. This weekend they’ll have an opportunity to make a statement with the defending champions from Michigan visiting.
- Army (6–0, AAC)
It’s been a fun season without a blemish for Army thus far. They’ll host East Carolina this weekend with hopes of staying on course for a historic battle with Navy to close the season.
- Michigan (4–2, Big Ten)
A two-loss Michigan team is still ranked, but not by much. And this week presents a tough test at Illinois.
- Navy (5–0, AAC)
Like Army, Navy is undefeated. Those two teams haven’t been without a loss this deep into a season since World War II (1945). The Midshipmen will host Charlotte this weekend.
