The latest AP Top 25 college football rankings are out, and the season’s winding down with some wild matchups ahead. Ohio State’s still at the top, but Michigan, even though they’ve had their moments, sits at No. 15.
This weekend, it’s the 50th ranked meeting between these two iconic rivals. That’s a lot of history, and honestly, the hype feels real.
Nothing shifted in the top 14, so all eyes are on the games coming up and what they might mean for the rankings. If you’re into college football drama, this is the stretch that matters.
Ohio State and Michigan: A Rivalry Renewed
Ohio State holds onto the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25, grabbing 58 first-place votes. That’s 13 weeks in a row at the top, which is no small feat.
The Buckeyes are 11-0 and set to face Michigan, who comes in at No. 15. This is the 50th time these two have met as ranked teams—no other rivalry can claim that.
Historic Context
This game just feels bigger than most. The last time either of them was ranked No. 1 heading into this matchup was back in 2006, when Ohio State took the win.
Michigan’s got a four-game win streak going against the Buckeyes. Maybe that gives them an edge, or maybe Ohio State’s got other ideas.
Top 25 Highlights
Sure, Ohio State and Michigan are stealing the spotlight, but there’s plenty happening elsewhere in the top 25. Indiana is holding strong at No. 2 with an 11-0 record and seven first-place votes.
Texas A&M is right behind at No. 3, also undefeated, and they grabbed a first-place vote too. The top of the rankings is packed with teams who just don’t want to lose.
Movement in the Rankings
No one in the top 14 lost last week, but there was still some shuffling. Georgia, now 10-1, moved up to No. 4.
Oregon, also 10-1, jumped to No. 5 after handling USC. Ole Miss slipped to sixth, and Texas Tech landed at No. 7.
Key Matchups to Watch
There are a handful of ranked matchups this weekend that could shake things up:
- No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2) takes on a tough Missouri squad.
- No. 12 Vanderbilt faces No. 18 Tennessee—their first ranked meeting in 119 games. That’s wild.
- No. 16 Texas hosts No. 3 Texas A&M on Black Friday night. That could get rowdy.
- No. 23 Georgia Tech plays No. 4 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Not exactly a neutral site, but hey.
Impactful Rivalries
Rivalries like Oklahoma-Texas and Notre Dame-USC always pull in the fans. This year, though, the Red River game didn’t add to its ranked tally since Texas wasn’t ranked at the time.
Alabama and Auburn won’t both be ranked for the Iron Bowl, and neither Florida nor Florida State will be ranked—or bowl eligible—when they meet in Gainesville. That’s just how it goes sometimes.
Teams on the Rise and Fall
Some teams are moving up, others not so much. USC dropped three spots to No. 19 after losing to Oregon.
Miami and Notre Dame are still in the top 10, even if their performances have been a little uneven lately.
New Entrants and Departures
Houston and Missouri fell out of the rankings after recent losses. Pitt slides in at No. 24, and SMU grabs No. 25.
Pitt’s win over Georgia Tech puts them in the ACC title conversation. SMU’s big win over Louisville gives them a shot, too. It’s that time of year when anything can happen, right?
The latest AP Top 25 rankings show just how wild and competitive college football gets as the season wraps up.
Historic rivalries are about to take center stage, and some of these matchups could get messy in the best way. If you want the nitty-gritty details or the full list, check out the AP Top 25 rankings.
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