Miami retained the No. 1 position in the Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, collecting a dominant share of first‑place votes as the poll reflected a turbulent Week 8 that knocked several previously unbeaten teams from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Top of the poll and notable movement
Miami received 59 first‑place votes, while Ohio State picked up 10. Utah drew a single first‑place vote. Voters shuffled teams after a weekend in which two of the last unbeaten teams in the Big 12 lost and other marquee matchups produced upsets or narrow escapes.
- BYU fell six spots to No. 8 after a loss earlier in the week left voters rethinking the Cougars’ standing.
- Texas vaulted eight places to No. 11 following a 34-27 victory over previously ranked Ole Miss, despite surrendering a 21‑point lead late in the game.
- Texas Tech slid to No. 13 after a 37-24 loss at Cincinnati.
- Ohio State moved up to No. 2 and held 10 first‑place votes despite not playing in Week 8.
Pollsters reacted strongly to the results, with 30 percent of the top‑10 teams suffering losses over the weekend. Voters also placed value on some earlier signature wins, while penalizing teams for recent missteps.
AP Top 25 (first‑place votes in parentheses)
| Rank | Team | 1st‑place votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | 59 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 10 |
| 3 | Georgia | |
| 4 | Indiana | |
| 5 | Notre Dame | |
| 6 | Utah | 1 |
| 7 | UCLA | |
| 8 | BYU | |
| 9 | Kentucky | |
| 10 | Alabama |
The remainder of the Top 25 includes Texas at No. 11, Ole Miss at No. 12, Texas Tech at No. 13, Wake Forest at No. 14 and LSU at No. 15. Tennessee, Florida, Houston and SMU also appear, with Boise State and Northwestern tied at No. 20. Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin round out the poll.
How voters weighed results
Voters increased Miami’s share of first‑place ballots from the previous week as losses by other highly ranked teams removed some competition for the top spot. BYU’s defeat prompted voters to move the Cougars behind Notre Dame, the team they had beaten the week prior. Texas’ surge was driven by its victory over a previously ranked Ole Miss, even as voters noted second‑half struggles that left questions about consistency.
With conference play intensifying, the rankings now set the table for pivotal late‑season matchups that will shape College Football Playoff considerations and late bowl positioning.
