The latest AP Poll Top 25 rankings are in after Week 11 of college football, and there were some shake-ups following another wild weekend! Miami fell victim to the upset bug against Georgia Tech, Alabama dominated LSU, Ole Miss knocked off Georgia, and the Big Ten is shaping up for a thrilling finish. Oh, and let’s not forget that the Big 12 now has two clear teams at the top based on record.
Let’s dive into the newest AP Poll Top 25 rankings after Week 11.
Top Performers of the Week
Oregon is the top dog, or should we say Duck? A dominant win over Maryland was just the latest triumph for this undefeated squad, solidifying their position atop the Big Ten. Dillon Gabriel remains in the Heisman discussion, although he may be a bit distant from actually winning the award this year. Nevertheless, Oregon has its sights set on a national title to cap the 2024 season.
Alabama got back into everyone’s good graces with a commanding win over LSU in Baton Rouge. Jalen Milroe was sensational, showcasing his running ability despite a less-than-stellar passing day. With Mercer next on the schedule, it’s safe to chalk that up as a win. Alabama is firmly back in the playoff hunt, and they could very well be projected to make a return to the bracket.
Ole Miss earned the biggest win of the Lane Kiffin era by defeating Georgia at home. This victory is a significant milestone for the head coach and keeps the Rebels’ College Football Playoff hopes alive. A big-time win over Georgia is always a feather in your cap!
Texas dominated Florida, leaving no room for any “Billy Napier-is-sticking-around” magic. Quinn Ewers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns, proving that Texas is back on track after their loss to Georgia. The question now is: can they maintain their position at the top of the SEC for the remainder of the season?
Impressive Comebacks and Surprising Upsets
Indiana needed a game like this, right? The Hoosiers pulled off a thrilling 20-15 victory against Michigan at home, pushing their record to 10-0 on the season. Now, the big test awaits as they head to Ohio State in two weeks. A win there could spark conversations about whether this team has what it takes to contend for a national championship.
Tennessee also made headlines, beating Mississippi State 33-14 to improve to 8-1 overall and inch closer to the top of the SEC. However, starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava missed the second half due to injury. The good news? Coach Josh Heupel stated it was merely precautionary. The Vols will need him healthy for their upcoming showdown against Georgia, as a victory there could solidify their playoff aspirations.
Penn State bounced back in a big way with a 35-6 win over Washington, a much-needed response after their loss to Ohio State. Tyler Warren was instrumental in this victory, contributing two touchdown runs and catching eight passes for 75 yards. The Nittany Lions led 28-0 at halftime, preserving the White-Out energy for a potential home playoff game—if they can secure a high enough ranking, of course!
Notable Rankings and Future Matchups
The Buckeyes thwarted Purdue with a resounding 45-0 victory, leaving no doubt that there was no upset brewing from the Boilermakers. Jeremiah Smith set a school record for a freshman wide receiver with his ninth touchdown of the season. Next up for Ohio State is a matchup against Northwestern, followed by a highly anticipated showdown with undefeated Indiana.
BYU needed a comeback and perhaps a little help from the officials to secure a win against Utah. All jokes aside, BYU remains undefeated and is in the driver’s seat for the Big 12. If they finish the season without a loss, could they potentially grab the No. 3 seed based on the current landscape in the ACC? It’s certainly a possibility!
Notre Dame made a statement by blasting Florida State 52-3. While this score might say more about FSU’s struggles (now 1-9 on the season), the Fighting Irish have been rolling since their loss to NIU in September. With three games left, there’s a clear path for Marcus Freeman’s squad to finish 11-1 and secure a playoff spot.
AP Poll Top 25 after Week 11
11. Georgia (-9)
12. Miami (-8)
13. Boise State (-1)
14. SMU (-1)
15. Texas A&M
16. Army (+2)
17. Clemson (+2)
18. Colorado (+3)
19. Washington State (+1)
20. Kansas State (+2)
21. LSU (-7)
22. Louisville (+3)
23. South Carolina
24. Missouri
25. Tulane
Others receiving votes in AP Poll: Iowa State 92, Arizona State 35, Pittsburgh 18, Louisiana-Lafayette 14, UNLV 10.
With so much action and excitement unfolding, the college football landscape is more thrilling than ever. As we look ahead to the next week, which teams will rise to the occasion, and who will fall victim to the upset bug? Stay tuned!
