Dawgs, Ducks, Tech Rise in Poll; A&M Falls to 7th
The latest Associated Press college football poll has brought notable changes. Texas A&M has fallen to seventh place, marking its first exit from the top five in two months. In contrast, Texas Tech has secured its highest ranking in 17 years, sitting at fifth.
AP College Football Poll Highlights
- Ohio State remains first with a 12-0 record.
- Indiana holds second place at 12-0.
- Georgia ranks third with an 11-1 record.
- Oregon follows at fourth with an 11-1 record.
- Texas Tech rounds out the top five at 11-1.
- Texas A&M, previously fourth, drops to seventh after a loss.
Shift in Rankings
This week’s rankings reflect a shuffle among the teams ahead of the postseason. Ohio State and Indiana are the only unbeaten teams remaining. They will face off in the Big Ten title game.
Georgia moved up a spot, while Oregon also improved its position in the rankings. Texas Tech’s rise to fifth marks its best ranking since November 2008.
Playoff Implications
With conference championship games approaching, this week’s results set the stage for several critical matchups. Key games include:
- Indiana vs. Ohio State (Big Ten Championship)
- Georgia vs. Alabama (SEC Championship)
- Texas Tech vs. BYU (Big 12 Championship)
- Virginia vs. Duke (ACC Championship)
Group of Five Success
This week marks a season-high for the Group of Five conferences, with four teams making it to the AP Top 25:
- No. 19 James Madison
- No. 20 North Texas
- No. 21 Tulane
- No. 23 Navy
James Madison is set to host Troy for the Sun Belt championship, marking a significant achievement as the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
Conclusion
The latest rankings reflect a competitive landscape as teams prepare for their respective championship games. With Texas A&M dropping in the polls and Texas Tech rising, the stage is set for an exciting finish to the college football season.
