Indiana Tops AP Top 25 Football Poll for First Time; Key Superlatives Revealed
The Indiana Hoosiers have made history by securing the No. 1 position in the AP Top 25 college football poll for the first time. This achievement follows their perfect 16-0 season, capped off by a victory against Miami in the College Football Playoff championship game. Previously, Indiana’s highest ranking in the final AP poll was No. 4, which occurred in 1945 and 1967.
Final Top 25 Rankings
The completion of the college football season has resulted in several notable shifts within the AP Top 25 rankings:
- 1. Indiana: 16-0
- 2. Miami: 13-3
- 3. Ole Miss: 13-2
- 4. Oregon: 13-2
- 5. Ohio State: 12-2
- 6. Georgia: 12-2
- 7. Texas Tech: 12-2
- 8. Texas A&M: 11-2
- 9. Alabama: 10-3
- 10. Notre Dame: 10-3
- 11. BYU: 10-2
- 12. Texas: 9-4
- 13. Oklahoma: 10-3
- 14. Utah: 11-4
- 15. Iowa: 9-4
- 16. Virginia: 11-3
- 17. Purdue: 9-4
- 18. Michigan: 9-4
- 19. James Madison: 12-2
- 20. North Texas: 9-4
- 21. Vanderbilt: 9-4
- 22. Washington: 10-3
- 23. Tulane: 9-4
- 24. SMU: 9-4
- 25. Arizona: 9-4
Significant Achievements
Several teams recorded historic finishes this season:
- Miami recorded their first top-10 finish since 2003.
- Ole Miss finished in the top five for the first time since 1962.
- Texas Tech achieved their first ever top-10 placement.
- Virginia and Purdue marked their best finishes since 2004 and 2003, respectively.
- James Madison concluded their fourth FBS season with a top-20 ranking.
Unexpected Outcomes
This season proved to be unpredictable. Two preseason top-five teams, Penn State and Clemson, ended unranked. Notably, Penn State is the first team to start in the top two and finish outside the rankings since USC in 2012.
Additionally, the selection process for the College Football Playoff drew criticism, with some questioning the exclusion of teams like Notre Dame and Oklahoma from playoff contention.
Conclusion
Indiana’s rise to No. 1 and the stories of other teams highlight the dynamic nature of college football. This season’s conclusion has set the stage for discussions about rankings, team performances, and the future of college football at large.
