Top 25 College Football Rankings: Oregon Rises, Iowa State Holds

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The latest AP Top 25 college football poll just dropped, and wow—there’s a lot to talk about. Oregon made a big leap to No. 2, while a handful of other teams shuffled up and down the list.

Iowa State? They’re still holding strong at No. 14 after a convincing win over Arizona. Miami slipped to No. 3, and Ole Miss climbed to No. 4, shaking things up near the top.

AP Top 25 Poll: Major Shakeups and Consistent Performers

This week’s poll is full of surprises, especially with Oregon jumping up to No. 2. That move followed a wild, double-overtime win against Penn State—talk about drama.

Iowa State didn’t budge from their spot at No. 14, thanks to a solid win over Arizona. Here’s a closer look at what stood out in this week’s rankings.

Oregon’s Ascent to No. 2

Oregon’s rise is really a nod to their grit and smart play-calling. Their 30-24 win over Penn State in double OT was tense, but the Ducks pulled through when it mattered most.

  • First downs: 20
  • Yards per play: 5.4
  • Rushing yards: 176
  • Passing yards: 248
  • Time of possession: 33:52

This victory bumped Oregon up in the rankings and knocked Penn State out of the top three for the first time this season. If you want the full rundown, here’s the full article.

Iowa State’s Dominant Performance

Iowa State keeps rolling, staying at No. 14 after a clear 39-14 win over Arizona. That’s 5-0 for them—again.

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Some standouts from the game:

  • Roscoe Beck: 243 passing yards, three rushing touchdowns
  • Chase Sewell: Four catches, 143 yards
  • Carson Hansen: 19 carries, 63 yards, two touchdowns

Their defense was everywhere—84 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and two picks. Offensive Coordinator Taylor Mauser’s game plan really showed, with the team executing big plays and keeping the pressure on.

Other Notable Movements in the Poll

Elsewhere, there were some eye-catching shifts. Miami, even on a bye week, dropped to No. 3.

Ole Miss, meanwhile, surged to No. 4 after beating LSU. That’s their highest ranking since 2015—pretty impressive.

Miami’s Slip and Ole Miss’s Rise

Miami’s drop? Blame Oregon’s huge win. Still, the Hurricanes are 4-0 and not to be underestimated.

They’re set to face No. 18 Florida State in Week 6. That one could shake up the playoff picture even more.

Ole Miss’s win over LSU—24-19—really put them back on the map. It’s been a while since they’ve been ranked this high.

Vanderbilt’s Historic Climb

Vanderbilt is making some noise, too. They’re up to No. 16 after starting 5-0, their best start since 2008.

Quarterback Diego Pavia is a big reason why, with 1,211 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and just three interceptions so far. Their recent 55-45 win over Utah State helped, no doubt.

Teams on the Rise and Fall

Plenty of teams moved up or down this week. Texas A&M jumped to No. 6, their highest spot since 2022.

The Aggies outgained Auburn 414-177 in total yards, with quarterback Marcel Reed and running back Le’Veon Moss both making big plays.

Arkansas’s Coaching Change

Arkansas made a bold move, firing head coach Sam Pittman after a rough 56-13 loss to Notre Dame. Bobby Petrino, the offensive coordinator, steps in as interim coach.

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The Razorbacks are sitting at 2-3 and have a week to regroup before taking on No. 15 Tennessee. Maybe the break will help?

New Entrants and Exits in the Top 25

Virginia and Arizona State are both new to the Top 25 this week. Virginia punched their ticket after a wild 46-38 overtime win over Florida State.

Arizona State is back at No. 25 after beating TCU, who dropped out. USC also fell out after losing to Illinois. College football rankings really do change fast—one game can flip everything.

Conference Breakdown

The SEC is still king, with 10 teams in the Top 25. Here’s the rundown:

  • Ole Miss: No. 4
  • Oklahoma: No. 5
  • Texas A&M: No. 6
  • Texas: No. 9
  • Alabama: No. 10
  • Georgia: No. 12
  • LSU: No. 13
  • Tennessee: No. 15
  • Vanderbilt: No. 16
  • Missouri: No. 19

The Big Ten is next, with six teams, including Ohio State at No. 1 and Oregon at No. 2. The ACC and Big 12 both have four teams each, while Notre Dame holds it down for the independents at No. 21.

Upcoming Key Matchups

Week 6 is shaping up with some genuinely exciting games. There’s a lot on the line, especially with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

No. 18 Florida State is set to host No. 3 Miami. This is a big one, and fans are buzzing about it already.

The Seminoles are hungry for redemption after that tough loss to Virginia. You can just feel the tension building for this matchup.

Alabama is also in the spotlight, going up against No. 16 Vanderbilt. They’re definitely hoping to shake off the sting from last year’s upset.

For more details and the latest AP Top 25 poll, check out the original article.

Joe Hughes
Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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