The college football season is heating up, and the AP Top 25 rankings after Week 11 reflect some dramatic shifts and moments. With the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Big Ten poised for attention, Saturdays have been electrifying, though not without surprises along the way.
This week has brought about significant shakeups, particularly after major losses by some traditional powerhouses. For starters, the top-ranked team from the ACC, the Miami Hurricanes, suffered a chilling upset on the road against Georgia Tech, with the final score reading 28-23. This game marked the end of Miami's hopes for a perfect season, forcing them to recalibrate as they dropped down the rankings.
Even though Heisman Trophy frontrunner Cam Ward shone brightly with three touchdown passes and over 300 passing yards, his late-game fumble was the turning point. That costly mistake handed Georgia Tech the opportunity to run out the clock and secure the win.
Meanwhile, Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers managed to keep their College Football Playoff (CFP) aspirations alive by overcoming Virginia Tech with a decisive 24-14 victory. The Tigers, ranked No. 17 in the latest Coaches Poll, turned the tide after trailing 7-0 at halftime, outscoring the Hokies 24-7 during the second half. The win was particularly sweet for Clemson, rejuvenated after their earlier Week 10 loss against Louisville.
Other teams weren't as fortunate, especially Pitt, which faced its second loss of the year, falling 24-19 to Virginia, dropping their record to 7-2. Similarly, Fran Brown’s Syracuse was unable to find their footing as they slipped to 6-3 due to another defeat, losing 37-31 to Boston College. Even Florida State hit rock bottom with their dismal 52-3 loss to Notre Dame, making headlines for all the wrong reasons and marking the lowest point of their season.
With these results reshuffling the rankings, the upcoming College Football Playoff picture remains uncertain, especially as every point and position matters. Teams within the Big Ten are starting to find their rhythm as we head toward the final stretch of the season.
Looking at the updated US LBM Coaches Poll, the rankings have seen significant changes, with Oregon maintaining its No. 1 status, earning 55 first-place votes. Joining Oregon are Ohio State at No. 2, Texas at No. 3, and Tennessee at No. 4, with Penn State rounding out the top five. The Big Ten Conference has certainly made waves, as Indiana finds itself surged up to No. 5—a notable achievement for them, as it marks their highest ranking since 1967.
According to the latest AP Top 25 rankings, Oregon holds on tightly to the top spot with 62 first-place votes, followed by Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively. The high placements of Indiana and Tennessee indicate the growing impact and strength of the Big Ten this season.
This week’s results and the final rankings also highlight some bitter disappointments, as Georgia's loss to Ole Miss sent them tumbling from No. 2 to No. 11. This marks the Bulldogs' lowest rank since 2020, ending their impressive 60-week streak of top-10 appearances. Miami also feels the sting of defeat, dropping to No. 12 after the upset to Georgia Tech. Though Georgia saw its top-10 streak shattered, on the opposite end, Ohio State's top-10 appearances continue, marking the longest such streak at 55 weeks. This period of consistent performance speaks volumes to the caliber of the Buckeyes as they continue to press forward.
But not all news was woe; Alabama achieved solid ground after their significant blowout win against LSU, placing them firmly back at No. 9. Ole Miss has lifted its spirits too, moving up six spots to rank No. 10 this week. And with the notable drop of Georgia, the Big Ten is clearly commanding respect this season, able to hold the top spots after years of contention.
The overall competitive nature of college football brings thrills, surprises, and upsets every week, and none exemplify this more than the recent rankings update. Teams are gearing up for the final weeks, knowing every matchup counts, and the potential for more chaos remains palpable as teams strive for positioning leading to the championship and bowl games.
The upcoming weeks promise to deliver more action as the teams jockey for the best positions—will the rankings shift again, or will the teams hold steady as we approach the final stretch? Stay tuned as the drama of college football continues to unfurl with each passing week.