AP Top 25: Alabama is the new No. 1 after defeating Georgia; Ole Miss, Utah, Louisville plunge

Posted by Admin September 29, 2024 Sports

Alabama is the new No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll after its 41-34 win over Georgia on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide move up from No. 4 to the top spot after holding off a comeback from the Bulldogs, who initially fell behind 28-0. With the loss, Georgia dropped to No. 5 in the rankings.

Texas slips to No. 2 after a two-week stay atop the poll. The Longhorns defeated Mississippi State on Saturday, 35-13, with Arch Manning throwing for 324 yards. Ohio State remains at No. 3 with its 38-7 defeat of Michigan State, while Tennessee moves up one spot to No. 4 during its bye week. Oregon takes the No. 5 ranking, jumping up two spots as a result of a 34-13 win over UCLA.

Utah took the biggest plunge in the latest poll, dropping to No. 18 from No. 10 after Saturday night’s 23–10 upset loss to Arizona. Ole Miss fell to No. 12 from No. 6 following the Rebels’ 20–17 defeat to Kentucky.

Also taking a big drop in the poll was Louisville, from No. 15 to No. 22 after losing 31–24 to Notre Dame. The Irish move up to No. 14 from No. 16. Illinois fell to No. 24 from No. 19 as a result of its loss to Penn State, which jumped to No. 7 from No. 9 after a 21–7 win.

BYU is among this week’s biggest risers, moving up to No. 17 from No. 22 after improving to 5-0 with a 34-28 win over Baylor. Boise State also jumped four spots to No. 21 from No. 25 following its 45-24 victory over Washington State.

Two teams joined the Top 25 for the first time this season. Indiana is in at No. 23 at 4-0 after a 42-8 win over Maryland. And UNLV made news this week with quarterback Matthew Sluka deciding to sit out the rest of the season due to an NIL dispute. But the Rebels kept winning with a 59-14 blowout of Fresno State.

Oklahoma State dropped out of the AP poll following a decisive 42-20 loss to Kansas State. Texas A&M also dropped a spot down to a tie for 25th despite a 21-17 win over Arkansas.