AP Poll Top 25 rankings released after Week 13 of college football

The latest AP Poll Top 25 rankings are out after Week 13 of the college football regular season and rivalry weekend brought us a lot of excitement.

There were not any monumental upsets that completely changed the outlook of the playoff, but there were some exciting games. Conference championship games are set and the true playoff contenders are still alive.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the latest AP Poll top 25 following Week 13 and tons of rivalry games.

1. Georgia

Georgia finally had a game again where it was a little bit closer than anticipated. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen this version of the Bulldogs, but hey, it was rivalry week.

No matter, Georgia is still undefeated and going to the SEC Championship where the Bulldogs will take on Alabama. If Georgia truly is what it’s been the last two years, we should expect another top seed in the College Football Playoff after next weekend.

2. Michigan (+1)

Michigan proved the doubters wrong, again. With no Jim Harbaugh and apparently no signs, the Wolverines controlled the game from the get go. In an instant classic, while never trailing, Michigan beat rival Ohio State.

The maize and blue are headed back to the Big Ten Championship Game and have a win-and-get-in scenario for the College Football Playoff. Oh yeah, Harbaugh is back this coming weekend too.

3. Washington (+1)

The Apple Cup man. Washington won a close one, 24-21, over rival Washington State. We were this close to seeing a big time rankings shakeup, but the Huskies kept pace and managed to win as time expired Saturday night.

Now at 12-0, Washington will play Oregon for the second time this season, this time for the Pac-12 Championship. Playoff spot on the line? You bet.

4. Florida State (+1)

When it was 15-14, many thought, oh no, this is how it ends for Florida State. Not so fast my friend. Scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles got out of Gainesville unscathed and remained undefeated. Tate Rodemaker did enough but the production came from the ground game.

Thanks to the hard running of Trey Benson, FSU took out Florida, denying their rival bowl eligibility along the way. Benson had 95 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

5. Oregon (+1)

We’ve said for weeks that Oregon is playing some of the best football in the country. Well, the Ducks might be playing the best football in the country. Look out because another win could put this team in the CFP and no one wants to deal with Dan Lanning’s squad.

They took care of business with a 31-7 win over Oregon State in the final Civil War as Pac-12 foes. Now, Bo Nix and company get their shot at Washington again, this time with a potential spot in the playoff on the line.

6. Ohio State (-4)

And now we get to Ohio State. The Buckeyes were in The Game the whole afternoon. But questionable decisions, missed opportunities and the fate of the world it seems just led to the third straight loss to Michigan.

Ryan Day beats everyone, except Michigan. Well, he has one win over Jim Harbaugh, but it’s not enough right now. The College Football Playoff is all but out of reach this season with no conference championship to play. It’s not quite like last year’s scenario.

7. Texas

Texas, sheesh, where did that come from? The Longhorns absolutely battered Texas Tech 57-7 and even Arch Manning made his collegiate debut. It was that kind of night for Texas which has quietly put together one heck of a season, considering the talk about the teams ahead of them.

Quinn Ewers was up and down, but Jayon Blue filled in nicely at running back when CJ Baxter went down with an injury. This team is just so resilient and they didn’t want anyone to forget about them when it comes to championship weekend.

8. Alabama

This sport is so great and because of that, you get games like Saturday’s Iron Bowl. Alabama looked dead in the water. Then, Jalen Milroe happened. Did you see that throw? Do yourself a favor and go watch it.

Backed up behind the 30 yard line on fourth and goal, Milroe delivered the throw of his life to Isaiah Bond. The go ahead score stunned Auburn and kept Bama within striking distance of the College Football Playoff.

9. Missouri (+1)

Missouri has 10 wins! You read that right! Eli Drinkwitz is one heck of a coach and again, if the Tigers didn’t lose to Georgia, we’d be talking about a potential playoff team.

Missouri will play in a New Year’s Six Bowl at this rate and earned that right. There’s no playoff, but this is quite the consolation prize for Drinkwitz’s best team to date. Let’s see if they can keep it rolling.

10. Penn State (+1)

Penn State rolled to a 42-0 win over Michigan State on Black Friday and if that’s what the Nittany Lions were supposed to look like, we missed out. PSU unfortunately couldn’t do that against Ohio State or Michigan.

But, a New Year’s Six Bowl is on the table and James Franklin can end with another 11-win season. That should bode well going into the expanded playoff next year. We think so.

Rest of AP Poll Top 25

11. Ole Miss (+1)
12. Oklahoma (+1)
13. LSU (+1)
14. Arizona (+2)
15. Louisville (-6)
16. Notre Dame (+1)
17. Tulane (+1)
18. Iowa (+2)
19. Oklahoma State (+2)
20. Liberty (+2)
T-21. NC State
T-21. Oregon State (-6)
23. Toledo
24. James Madison
25. SMU

Others receiving votes: Tennessee 98, Clemson 57, Kansas St. 41, Utah 40, Troy 7, Kansas 6, New Mexico St. 5, Kentucky 4, Memphis 1, North Carolina 1, Miami (Ohio) 1.

Well, there it is. The final regular season weekend is in the books and we’re sad to see it go. But never fear, there’s conference championship weekend and bowl games to play!