Oregon Ascends to No. 1 in This Week’s NCAA College Football AP Poll

Dillon Gabriel (8) of the Oregon Ducks throws a pass during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Oct. 18, 2024. Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Another wild and crazy weekend of college football is in the books and, once again, we have a new team sitting on top of the AP Poll. The Oregon Ducks ride their undefeated record into the top spot in the country for the first time since 2012. The Big Ten now owns three of the top four spots in the poll.

Georgia went into Austin and beat the No. 1 Longhorns on Saturday to make their claim to the top spot in the SEC. But that is far from a foregone conclusion, with Tennessee and LSU not going anywhere.

This weekend has some fascinating matchups on the schedule. There aren’t any elite matchups, but upset alert is always hot this time of year.

1. Oregon (7–0, Big Ten)

The Ducks rolled Ohio State last weekend to put their name in the ring for the top spot. When Georgia left Austin with a big win over Texas, the climb was inevitable. Welcome to No. 1, Oregon! They’ll host a ranked Illinois team this weekend.

2. Georgia (6–1, SEC)

Even with their one loss, the Bulldogs are now in the drivers’ seat in the SEC. Alabama’s two losses and a win at Texas give them control over the conference and the No. 2 ranking in the country, even with some other undefeated teams chasing them. They’re off this week before making a trip to Florida to face the Gators.

3. Penn State (6–0, Big Ten)

The Nittany Lions got the week off and remained in their position in the polls. They travel to Madison to jump around and face the Badgers this weekend. With the top of the Big Ten Conference getting more national attention in the polls and the eyes of the College Football Playoff folks, every weekend becomes a must-win.

4. Ohio State (5–1, Big Ten)

A bye week after losing to Oregon keeps the Buckeyes at No. 4 this week. They’ll host a Nebraska team that just got blown out by Indiana this weekend. Don’t sleep on the Cornhuskers, however.

5. Texas (6–1, SEC)

A home loss to Georgia costs them four spots in the poll this week. A trip to Nashville to face a ranked Vanderbilt team is up next for the Longhorns.

6. Miami (FL) (7–0, ACC)

Miami squeaked out a win at Louisville to remain undefeated and ranked sixth in the AP poll. This weekend brings a great, traditional rivalry in which the Hurricanes will be heavily favored; Florida State heads south to visit The U on Saturday night.

7. Tennessee (6–1, SEC)

The Vols handed Alabama their second loss of the season and climbed four spots in this week’s poll. They’re off this weekend before hosting Kentucky.

8. LSU (6–1, SEC)

A win at Arkansas kept them in the SEC race and at No. 8 in the poll this week. If they want to climb the rankings, a win at Texas A&M this weekend would help.

9. Clemson (6–1, ACC)

Moving up one spot after beating Virginia, Clemson is still in the ACC championship—and College Football Playoff—picture.

10. Iowa State (7–0, Big 12)

The Cyclones slide back one spot this week despite remaining undefeated.

Miami wide receiver Samuel Brown (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football runs from the pursuit of Louisville defensive back Quincy Riley (3) to score game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo

11. BYU (7–0, Big 12)

BYU escaped with a win against Oklahoma State this past weekend and moved up two spots in the poll. They’ll go to Florida this weekend, but it won’t be for vacation. BYU has a Saturday afternoon date with UCF.

12. Notre Dame (6–1, Independent)

The Fighting Irish pulled out a strong win at Georgia Tech and stayed put at No. 12 this week. For the past few years, their annual game against the Naval Academy didn’t necessarily help their strength of schedule. This year, Navy hosts Notre Dame undefeated and ranked on Saturday.

13. Indiana (7–0, Big Ten)

How about the Hoosiers? They hammered a one-loss Nebraska team in Bloomington this weekend, putting 56 on the board. IU moved up three spots this week. Indiana hosts Washington on Saturday.

14. Texas A&M (6–1, SEC)

The Aggies stay put at No. 14 this week after beating Mississippi State. They’ll host No. 8 LSU this weekend in a game that could help either school move up in the poll next week.

15. Alabama (5–2, SEC)

This represents the lowest Alabama has been ranked since 2010; they fell eight spots after suffering a second regular-season loss. They’ll try to avoid picking up a third at home with a ranked Missouri team coming to Tuscaloosa.

16. Kansas State (6–1, Big 12)

A win at West Virginia moves them up one spot. It’s rivalry week in Manhattan as the Kansas Jayhawks come to town.

17. Boise State (5–1, Mountain West)

Bad timing for a bye week! Boise State took a week off and it cost them two spots in the poll. They’ll go on the road to face UNLV late Friday night.

18. Mississippi State (5–2, SEC)

Ole Miss also had a bye week and stay put in the poll. The Rebels stay home and host an Oklahoma team that fired its offensive coordinator on Sunday. Could they be on upset alert?

19. Pittsburgh (6–0, ACC)

Quietly, Pitt is still undefeated in the ACC and moved up one spot despite having a bye this past weekend. The Panthers will put their unblemished mark on the line when they host Syracuse on Thursday night.

20. Illinois (6–1, Big Ten)

A dominant 21–7 win over Michigan moves Illinois up two spots and into the top 20 this week. The schedule gets harder, however. The Illini go to Eugene to face No. 1 Oregon this weekend.

21. Missouri (6–1, SEC)

The Tigers beat Auburn at home this past weekend but move down two spots this week. They have a better record than Alabama but aren’t ranked as high as the Crimson Tide. If Mizzou can win at Alabama this weekend, that will change.

22. SMU (6–1, ACC)

A big conference win over Stanford didn’t help SMYU, who move down one spot this week. They’ll head to a road game against Duke this weekend.

23. Army (7–0, AAC)

Army remains undefeated and will enjoy a bye this week.

24. Navy (6–0, AAC)

Navy also remains undefeated and moves up one spot after putting 51 on Charlotte this past weekend. If they want a legit shot at a College Football Playoff berth, a home win against No. 12 Notre Dame on Saturday would go a long way in helping their case.

25. Vanderbilt (5–2, SEC)

Vanderbilt slides into the rankings this week as a two-loss team in the SEC after a non-conference win against Ball State. Want to stay ranked? How about hosting a Texas team that just suffered their first loss of the season? That’s on tap for the Commodores this weekend.