Florida Surges Into Top 10 as Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame Hold Top Spots

The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings brought major movement across the country, with Florida making the biggest jump of the week after a statement victory over Ole Miss.

The Gators climbed 13 places to No. 8 in the poll released Sunday, Sept. 27, after defeating then-No. 4 Mississippi by 24 points. The rise puts Florida in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 2021 and gives first-year coach Jon Sumrall one of the most significant early-season ranking breakthroughs in college football.

At the top, however, there was little change. Texas remained No. 1, followed by Georgia at No. 2 and Notre Dame at No. 3. Miami moved up to No. 4, while Ohio State climbed to No. 5.

The reshuffling behind the leaders reflects a weekend filled with important games between ranked opponents. Four new teams entered the poll, while several established programs fell out following disappointing results.

Texas Holds No. 1 Position

Texas continued to occupy the top spot after beginning the season 4-0. The Longhorns received 62 first-place votes and 1,737 total points, giving them a comfortable lead over second-ranked Georgia.

Georgia remained No. 2 with six first-place votes and 1,646 points. The Bulldogs also entered the week undefeated at 4-0.

Notre Dame stayed at No. 3 with a 4-0 record and 1,581 points. The Fighting Irish have maintained their position near the top throughout the opening weeks of the season, keeping the pressure on the two SEC programs ahead of them.

Miami made one of the notable upward moves among the teams near the top. The Hurricanes advanced from No. 6 to No. 4 after remaining undefeated. They received one first-place vote and collected 1,501 points.

Ohio State also moved upward, going from No. 7 to No. 5. The Buckeyes are 3-1 and collected 1,465 points.

Florida Makes the Week’s Biggest Move

Florida’s jump from No. 21 to No. 8 was the defining development of the new rankings.

The Gators defeated Ole Miss in convincing fashion, producing a 24-point victory that immediately changed the national perception of their season. Florida entered the game outside the top 20 but left with one of the strongest results recorded by a ranked team during the weekend.

The victory also gave Florida a head-to-head win over Ole Miss, which fell five places from No. 4 to No. 9.

Florida’s 13-position rise is the largest move in this week’s poll. The Gators are now 4-0 and have reached their highest ranking since 2020.

The result is particularly significant for Sumrall, who is in his first season leading the program. Florida’s rapid rise gives the Gators an early position among the teams competing for national attention as the season moves deeper into conference play.

Alabama, BYU and LSU Remain in Top 11

Alabama moved from No. 8 to No. 7, continuing its undefeated start at 4-0.

BYU held steady at No. 10 with a 3-0 record, while LSU remained No. 11 despite entering the week at 3-1.

Texas Tech also maintained its No. 12 position after opening the season 4-0. Utah climbed from No. 17 to No. 13, while Iowa moved four places from No. 18 to No. 14.

Oregon remained No. 15 despite a 3-1 record.

The Ducks’ ranking comes after a dramatic victory over USC. Oregon defeated the Trojans 41-27, but the game was overshadowed by an injury to Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Moore was taken from the field after a late hit while sliding, and USC linebacker Desman Stephens was ejected for targeting. Oregon’s backup quarterback, Dylan Raiola, helped guide the Ducks to victory.

Mississippi State Continues Its Rise

Mississippi State was another major mover in the latest rankings.

The Bulldogs jumped from No. 24 to No. 16 after defeating previously ranked Missouri 31-24. Mississippi State is now 4-0 and has established itself as another SEC program demanding attention.

The Bulldogs’ victory was also enough to strengthen their position as one of the week’s biggest risers. Their undefeated record helped them move into the middle of the Top 25, while Missouri dropped six places to No. 25.

Tennessee slipped from No. 14 to No. 17, while USC fell from No. 12 to No. 18 following its loss to Oregon.

Oklahoma State entered the poll at No. 19 after winning three consecutive games. The Cowboys have a 3-1 record and own a victory over Oregon, giving them an important result to support their ranking.

Houston remained No. 20, while SMU moved from No. 22 to No. 21.

Four New Teams Enter the AP Top 25

The latest poll also featured four new teams.

Boise State entered at No. 22, followed by UCLA at No. 23 and Kentucky at No. 24. Missouri completed the rankings at No. 25.

UCLA’s entry is notable because the Bruins are 4-0 despite starting the season unranked. Oklahoma State was the highest-ranked newcomer at No. 19.

Four teams dropped out of the poll: Penn State, Louisville, Michigan and Texas A&M. Each had been ranked in the previous edition.

The changes demonstrate how quickly the national picture can change during the college football season. One major victory can dramatically improve a team’s standing, while a single loss can push a previously ranked program completely outside the Top 25.

The College Football Picture Is Changing Quickly

With several weeks of the season still remaining, the latest AP Top 25 illustrates how crowded the national race has become.

Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame continue to occupy the first three positions, while Miami and Ohio State have moved closer to the top. Florida’s surge provides another storyline, particularly after its decisive win over Ole Miss.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Kentucky have strengthened the depth of the rankings by entering the poll.

The coming weeks will provide additional opportunities for ranked teams to establish themselves through conference games and head-to-head matchups. As the schedule becomes more demanding, the AP Top 25 is likely to continue changing as undefeated teams attempt to protect their records and one-loss programs look for opportunities to climb.

For now, the biggest message from the latest rankings is clear: Florida has emerged as one of the week’s biggest stories, while Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame continue to set the pace at the top of the AP Top 25.