AP Poll Top 25 rankings released after championship weekend

Conference championships are in the books, meaning it’s time for Bowl Season. As we await the final College Football Playoff rankings, the latest AP Top 25 has been released.

The poll got a bit of a shakeup after conference championship weekend, especially with No. 1 Georgia falling to No. 8 Alabama in the SEC Championship. That opened the door for some movement at the top of the rankings, especially after Texas dominated the Big 12 Championship in all facets en route to its first conference title since 2009.

With the final CFP rankings looming, the AP poll looks a bit different heading into the reveal.

1. Michigan

Michigan, one of three undefeated A5 teams remaining, now finds itself atop the AP poll for the first time since 1997. The Wolverines won their third consecutive outright Big Ten championship Saturday night, making Jim Harbaugh the first coach in league history to accomplish that feat.

Michigan didn’t put up huge numbers in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa, but still did plenty enough to get the 26-0 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wolverines are now 13-0 for the third straight season, and they’ll now await their fate in the postseason.

2. Washington

Washington has consistently been one of the top teams in the country this year with a high-powered offense and a big victory over Oregon bolstering its resume. The Huskies got another victory over the Ducks on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship, and that propelled them toward the top of the AP poll.

The Michael Penix Jr.–Rome Odunze connection has been lethal all year, and that was again the case in the Pac-12 title game. Penix threw for 319 yards, including 102 to Odunze, to lead Washington to a conference championship to say in contention for a national championship.

3. Florida State

It wasn’t easy for Florida State in the ACC Championship, but the Seminoles’ defense came up big to defeat Louisville and bring home a conference title for the first time since 2014. Brock Glenn got the nod at quarterback in place of Tate Rodemaker, who was injured against Florida, but it was Jared Verse and Co. that helped come up with the win.

The Seminoles have now pulled off a perfect 13-0 record for the first time since that 2014 team, and now await their College Football Playoff fate. They’re at the center of the conversation entering the final rankings reveal, and the AP poll voters have made their statement.

4. Texas

For the first time since 2009, Texas is the Big 12 Champion. The Longhorns put on a clinic against Oklahoma State, led by a record-setting day from Quinn Ewers, to pull off the resounding 49-21 victory at AT&T Stadium.

It was a special year for Steve Sarkisian’s group, which also has a victory over Alabama to its name. Not only do the Longhorns have a high-powered offense, but the defense is also loaded with playmakers, which will make them a tough out should they make the CFP field.

5. Alabama

Just three months ago, Alabama looked like it was going to have a down year after a double-digit home loss to Texas. But the Crimson Tide got the train back on the tracks in a big way, rattling off 11 straight victories — including the biggest one of the year Saturday to hand Georgia its first loss in over 700 days.

Jalen Milroe’s development has been one of the greatest stories for Alabama this year, turning his benching against USF into an incredible season as a firm dual-threat. The Tide present an interesting case for the CFP, and the AP Top 25 voters shared where they think they fall in the rankings.

6. Georgia

Georgia, for the first time since the 2021 SEC Championship, has lost a game. The Bulldogs got off to a lightning-fast start against Alabama on Saturday, but they didn’t do much more after that en route to the 27-24 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The game started out with an almost too-easy opening drive from Carson Beck and the offense, but the Alabama defense held strong as Nick Saban once again got the better of Kirby Smart. As a result, Georgia fell down the AP Top 25 rankings as the Bulldogs wait to find out what’s next.

7. Ohio State

Ohio State missed out on the Big Ten championship once again, but Buckeyes fans were surely watching the action of conference championship weekend. With some key games going against them, though, it’s now about the wait to find out what bowl game in which they’ll appear.

Ohio State got some monster performances on defense this year to finish with the nation’s No. 3-ranked total defense. Of course, Marvin Harrison Jr. was a massive part of the Buckeyes’ success, and now it comes down to seeing if he plays in the bowl game as he’s expected to declare for the NFL Draft.

8. Oregon

Oregon was looking to get revenge against Washington after the regular-season loss at Husky Stadium. The Ducks looked like they were on their way, but the Huskies battled back and eventually were dealt a second-straight loss to their conference rival.

Bo Nix put together another big game as part of his case for the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns as he almost got Oregon back in the game. But the Ducks couldn’t fight off Washington’s offense, and they dropped in the AP Top 25, as well.

9. Missouri

Missouri had a special year under Eli Drinkwitz this year en route to 10 wins. While the Tigers weren’t playing in the SEC Championship, they’re still one of the great stories of the season as they turned things around.

Mizzou will now await its bowl fate, but could be in line for a New Year’s Six appearance. Led by Cody Schrader and Brady Cook, the Tigers will likely be a tough out.

10. Penn State

Penn State was the No. 3 team in the loaded Big Ten East, and the Nittany Lions remain a top-10 team in the eyes of AP Top 25 voters. Now, they will wait to learn which bowl game they’re off to next as they miss out on the CFP.

Penn State has some intriguing young players that could make an impact in the bowl game and beyond. Additionally, James Franklin made a new hire at offensive coordinator, which makes things even more interesting as we look ahead.

Rest of AP Poll Top 25

11. Ole Miss
12. Oklahoma
13. LSU
14. Arizona
15. Notre Dame
16. Louisville
17. SMU
18. Liberty
19. NC State
20. Iowa
21. Oregon State
22. Oklahoma State
23. Tulane
24. James Madison
25. Tennessee

Others receiving votes: Clemson 87, Troy 65, Utah 39, Kansas St. 38, Miami (Ohio) 31, Toledo 22, Kansas 8, Kentucky 4.