Big 12 teams see a season high in the AP Top 25, while LSU drops out

The top four seeds remain unchanged on the College Football Playoff bracket based on this week’s Top 25 rankings, but three of the four first-round matchups would change and Memphis returned as the Group of Five representative.

Only slight alterations were required on the mock bracket because the significant changes in the AP poll came toward the bottom.

The Southeastern Conference would have five of the 12 teams on the bracket. The Big Ten would have three teams, the Atlantic Coast Conference would have two and the Big 12 and American one each.

▶ Read more about the AP Top 25 playoff predictions

Week 10 features several pivotal matchups that could alter the playoff race.

No. 5 Georgia faces Florida in a historic rivalry game. No. 9 Vanderbilt heads to No. 20 Texas, which could be without quarterback Arch Manning. No. 14 Tennessee hosts No. 18 Oklahoma in a matchup between two playoff hopefuls. And No. 17 Cincinnati travels to No. 24 Utah in a Big 12 clash.

Meanwhile, No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 13 Texas Tech hope to avoid trap games against unranked opponents.

Ohio State remains the favorite to win the national championship at 5-2 odds, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Indiana continues to build momentum and has the second best odds at 7-1. Alabama is close behind at 8-1. Texas A&M rounds out the top four contenders at 9-1.

Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M remain unbeaten through Week 9 and make up Nos. 1 through 3 in the AP Top 25. The Crimson Tide have won seven straight and sit comfortably at No. 4.

Cincinnati would love for Nebraska to be ranked when it’s all said and done to make its case for a strong finish. But the Huskers don’t face anyone of any consequence in the final month, so it will be tough.

The Bearcats are a solid team right now and are playing really well.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

Cincinnati’s climb in the rankings continued this week following a 41-20 victory over Baylor.

The Bearcats improved to No. 17, the program’s highest ranking since 2021. They first cracked the Top 25 two weeks ago, coming in at No. 24 after beating UCF.

It’s the first time Cincinnati has won seven straight games since 2021, when they went on to reach the College Football Playoff.

It’s going to be tough for Miami to move up too much over the next month unless someone like Pitt moves into the Top 25. The rest of the schedule isn’t that strong.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

Oklahoma and Missouri suffered the steepest falls among ranked teams this week.

The Sooners dropped five spots, slipping from No. 13 to No. 18 after losing to Ole Miss. Missouri fell four spots, from No. 15 to No. 19, after a last-minute loss to Vanderbilt.

It’s Missouri’s lowest ranking since Week 5 and Oklahoma’s lowest since Week 1.

LSU’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday dropped it out of the rankings.

The Tigers’ second quarter lead was short-lived, as Texas A&M went on to outscore them 35-7 in the second half.

It was a tough day for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who was sacked five times for losses totaling 44 yards. Nussmeier was pulled late in the fourth quarter for backup quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., who was then sacked twice during LSU’s final offensive possession.

They’ve played well but keep an eye on them over the next four games. They face North Texas, Notre Dame, USF and Memphis during that stretch. If they can find a way to survive that run, they will be ranked.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.
▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

Vanderbilt earned its highest ranking in 88 years this week, coming in at No. 9 after a 17-10 win against Missouri.

The program is off to its best start since 1941, when the Commodores went 8-1 to begin the season and 8-2 overall.

Saturday’s victory came down to the final moments as Diego Pavia broke the tie with 1:52 on the clock, running the ball in for a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

Missouri backup quarterback Matt Zollers launched a Hail Mary from the 45-yard line in the final seconds of the game, finding receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. inches short of the end zone and solidifying the win for Vanderbilt.

Here is how I believe the P4 title games will look: Big 10 (Ohio State vs. Indiana); Big 12 (BYU vs. Texas Tech); ACC (Georgia Tech vs. Miami); SEC (Alabama vs. Texas A&M) and AAC (Tulane vs. Memphis).

This is very early look so don’t bet the milk money on it.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

Heating up: Ole Miss (7), Vanderbilt (9), BYU (10), Tennessee (14), Cincinnati (17), Houston (22), USC (23), Utah (24), Memphis (25).

Cooling down: Oklahoma (18), Missouri (19), South Florida, LSU, Illinois.

Steady: Ohio State (1), Indiana (2), Texas A&M (3), Alabama (4), Georgia (5), Oregon (6), Notre Dame (12).

The BYU situation could change quickly thanks to a remaining schedule that features games against Texas Tech and Cincinnati. Wins over those two teams could go far into pushing them above Georgia Tech.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

The AP Top 25 has its first tie this season, with BYU and Miami both coming in at No. 10.

It’s the highest ranking of the season for BYU, which ranked No. 11 last week, and it’s a step down for Miami, previously No. 9.

BYU improved to 8-0 on Saturday with a 41-27 win against Iowa State. Miami defeated Stanford, 42-7.

No. 10 BYU leads the Big 12 pack. Texas Tech improved from No. 14 to No. 13 and Cincinnati rose to No. 17. No. 22 Houston and No. 24 Utah are new to the rankings this week.

It’s Houston’s first appearance in the AP Top 25 this season, a spot earned after a 24-16 victory over conference foe Arizona State.

The Cougars’ last ranking was in 2022, when the program reached No. 24 as a member of the American Conference.

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Ole Miss
8. Georgia Tech
9. Vanderbilt
10. Miami (Fla.)
10. BYU
12. Notre Dame
13. Texas Tech
14. Tennessee
15. Virginia
16. Louisville
17. Cincinnati
18. Oklahoma
19. Missouri
20. Texas
21. Michigan
22. Houston
23. USC
24. Utah
25. Memphis

Memphis has a legitimate shot at the AAC title this season, but the Tigers will have to avoid letdowns against Tulane and Navy. If not, that opens the door for Navy to make its case.

Personally, I would love to see the Army-Navy game carry significant weight in the CFP race. That rivalry is one of the best in college football and to add an extra dimension would make it even more special. It would make things interesting that’s for sure.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

Fernando Mendoza had the stadium chanting “Heismendoza” Saturday as the Indiana quarterback threw for three touchdowns and ran one in to score, leading the Hoosiers to a 56-6 win over UCLA.

Mendoza’s 24 passing touchdowns tie him for first in the FBS. His odds of winning the most prestigious award in college football have skyrocketed throughout the season, improving from +5500 to +350, tied with Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

Notre Dame really relies on its schedule to help it move through the rankings.

The Irish have faced three teams ranked in the top 25, which, in some ways, supports their case. Their losses are quality losses to steal a term from the College Football Playoff selection committee. Plus, teams around them in the poll have lost, helping them move up.

Where it’s going to be tough is over the next 5 games, when they face no one (outside of Navy) who could challenge them. With no ranked foes and no conference title game, I’m not sure how high Notre Dame climbs.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

No. 16 Virginia and No. 22 Texas secured wins in overtime this week in games that weren’t expected to go beyond regulation.

The Cavaliers narrowly escaped an upset loss to UNC, stopping the Tarheels inches from the end zone on a two-point conversion.

Texas outscored Mississippi State 24-7 in the fourth quarter, overcoming a 31-14 deficit to force the game into OT. The Longhorns took advantage of the first possession and fill-in quarterback Matthew Caldwell found Emmett Mosley in the end zone for a touchdown.

Mississippi State’s self-inflicted errors paired with a strong Texas defensive stand boosted the Longhorns to a 45-38 win.

Texas A&M could find its way into the top two if voters choose to drop Ohio State. The strength of the record should be considered for sure.

The Aggies have quality wins over Notre Dame and LSU, but LSU most likely won’t be ranked when the poll comes out. They need help with Missouri and Texas being the strongest foes on the remaining schedule.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

There has been a lot of parity, especially in the top 10.

Some of that can be attributed to the transfer portal. Schools are becoming more aggressive in attracting talent. Many of those players were No. 2 or No. 3 at places like Ohio State or Alabama, but now are getting chances to start elsewhere.

Plus, these programs are putting more resources into their programs and it’s starting to pay off. Indiana is a prime example of that with the hiring and retaining of Curt Cignetti. That’s really helped shift the power at the top.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

My top 5 didn’t change much this week with Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia.

The toughest spot was at No. 6 with Ole Miss. The Rebels had a great road win at Oklahoma, pushing them ahead of Oregon and Georgia Tech.

I had Vanderbilt leapfrogging over Miami to round out the top 10. The Commodores are one of the hottest teams in the nation right now.

Matt Murschel is a college football writer for The Orlando Sentinel and has been an AP Top 25 voter for over five years. You can follow him on X: @osmattmurschel.

▶ Ask him a question about the Top 25 poll

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Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis, right, runs the ball past South Florida linebacker Mac Harris (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Houston tight end Tanner Koziol (9) gets tackled by Arizona State linebacker Jordan Crook (8) and Arizona State safety Myles Rowser during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Houston improved to 7-1 on Saturday night with a 24-16 win against No. 24 Arizona State.

The Cougars have been knocking on the door for weeks, receiving 34 votes in last week’s poll. Winning against the ranked Sun Devils could do the trick.

Memphis could return to the rankings after rallying in the fourth quarter to beat No. 18 South Florida, potentially offsetting the Tigers’ upset loss to UAB last week.

Navy remained unbeaten with a 42-32 win over Florida Atlantic, improving to 8-0 on the season.

Stock up: BYU, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Cincinnati.

Stock down: LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Florida.

Week 9 unfolded mostly as expected after four top 10 teams lost in Week 8.

Indiana, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Miami cruised past opponents. Alabama held off South Carolina and Vanderbilt edged Missouri in a last-minute thriller.

Oregon knocked off Wisconsin and Ole Miss returned to the win column with a victory over Oklahoma.

Ohio State and Georgia had the week off.

College football writer and Top 25 voter Matt Murschel will answer a few questions while we wait for the rankings to drop.

No organization has been ranking teams and naming a major college football national champion longer than The Associated Press, since 1936.

AP employees don’t vote themselves, but they do choose the voters. AP Top 25 voters comprise around 60 writers and broadcasters who cover college football for AP members and other select outlets. The goal is to have every state with a Football Bowl Subdivision school represented by at least one voter.

Voting is a straight points system: A first-place vote is worth 25 points, a second-place vote is worth 24 points, down to 1 point for a 25th-place vote.

Then it’s just a summary of which teams are 1-25 based on the totals. Others receiving votes are also noted.

Voting is done online, and the tabulation is automated.

▶ Read more about the history of the AP Top 25 poll and how it works