Ohio State tops AP Top 25 after Texas win

Ohio State climbs to the top in the AP Top 25 after beating Texas, while LSU and Miami rise and Alabama slides.

Ohio State Seizes No 1 Ranking After Texas Victory

Ohio State rose to No 1 in the AP Top 25 after its win over Texas, earning 55 of 66 first place votes. Texas dropped to No 7 as voters reshuffled after a whirlwind Week 1, with Penn State remaining No 2 and LSU at No 3 in the wake of its own strong performance. Georgia and Miami followed, rounding out the top five, while Oregon claimed the remaining first-place vote and sat at No 6.

Florida State made the splash move of the week, climbing from outside the Top 25 to No 14 after a 31-17 win over Notre Dame. Alabama plunged to No 21, its lowest ranking since 2008, reflecting a rough start for the program. Utah entered the rankings at No 25 after a road win at UCLA, and Boise State dropped out following a loss to South Florida. Kansas State also fell from the rankings after a season-opening loss to Iowa State. The result is a top that looks volatile, a sign that the 2025 season could defy simple predictions.

The early shifts show a season that rewards consistency over tradition. Ohio State’s ascent proves it has the depth and resume to back a late-summer reputation, while Texas’ tumble highlights how quickly a preseason favorite can stumble when faced with a strong opponent. Florida State’s leap signals a potential revival for a program that faced setbacks last season, and Alabama’s fall challenges the idea that last year’s power guarantees continued success. The poll's instability at the top suggests the race for a cleaned slate of contenders will be wide, with every result carrying more weight than usual.

This is a reminder that ranking is a moving target year after year. Week 1 outcomes rarely settle every debate, and the path to the playoff will require teams to prove it week after week. The margins between top teams remain razor-thin, meaning upside for underdogs and risk for already secure programs alike. The real story may be how the sport manages expectations as much as how teams perform on the field.

Highlights

The season is just getting started and the next results will test these first impressions.