Georgia Climbs to No. 2 in AP Poll After Thrilling SEC Championship Win
What a weekend for college football fans! The latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings dropped on Sunday, and there’s plenty to talk about. The Georgia Bulldogs made a big move, jumping up to No. 2 after their dramatic overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship game. Meanwhile, Oregon continues to reign supreme at No. 1, and Arizona State cracked the top 10 for the first time in a decade. Let’s break it all down.
Oregon Stays Unbeaten and Unstoppable
First things first: the Oregon Ducks are still the kings of the college football world. With their win over Penn State in the Big Ten title game, Oregon remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP poll for the sixth straight week. They’ve now held the top spot for eight consecutive weeks, and it’s no surprise they’ll head into the College Football Playoff as the team to beat. The Ducks are firing on all cylinders, and their dominance shows no signs of slowing down.
Georgia’s Grit Pays Off
Georgia’s rise to No. 2 is well-deserved after their heart-stopping overtime win against Texas in the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs not only secured the conference title but also locked up a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. This victory propelled them three spots up the rankings, and they’re now sitting pretty right behind Oregon. Georgia fans have every reason to be excited as their team looks poised to make a deep playoff run.
Notre Dame Makes a Quiet Climb
While Georgia and Oregon grabbed the headlines, Notre Dame quietly moved up to No. 3. The Fighting Irish didn’t play this weekend, but their idle status didn’t stop them from climbing one spot in the rankings. This is Notre Dame’s highest ranking since late in the 2020 season, and they’re in line for an at-large playoff bid. Could this be the year the Irish finally break through in the postseason?
Texas and Penn State Slip, But Stay in the Top Five
It wasn’t the best weekend for Texas and Penn State, both of whom lost their conference championship games. Texas fell to Georgia in that thrilling SEC showdown, while Penn State came up short against Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Despite the losses, both teams remain in the top five and are expected to earn at-large playoff bids. Texas and Penn State fans might be disappointed, but their seasons are far from over.
Arizona State’s Long-Awaited Return to the Top 10
One of the most exciting stories of the weekend is Arizona State’s resurgence. The Sun Devils defeated Iowa State in the Big 12 title game, earning their first 11-win season since 1996. This victory catapulted them into the top 10 for the first time in a decade. The last time Arizona State was ranked this high was in 2014 when they reached No. 7 after an 8-1 start. It’s been a long road back to relevance for the Sun Devils, but they’re finally here.
Other Notable Rankings
The rest of the top 10 includes Ohio State, Tennessee, Boise State, and Indiana, all of whom are set to compete in the College Football Playoff. Alabama and SMU, both vying for the final at-large playoff spot, are ranked No. 11 and No. 12, respectively. SMU dropped three spots after a tough 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC title game. Speaking of Clemson, their win earned them the ACC’s automatic playoff bid and the No. 13 spot in the rankings.
Quick Hits: Key Takeaways
- Oregon: Unanimous No. 1 for the sixth straight week.
- Georgia: Climbs to No. 2 after an overtime SEC title win.
- Notre Dame: Moves up to No. 3, their highest ranking since 2020.
- Arizona State: Cracks the top 10 for the first time in a decade.
- Alabama and SMU: Battling for the final at-large playoff spot.
As the College Football Playoff looms, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Oregon and Georgia have secured first-round byes, but the rest of the field is wide open. Will Notre Dame finally live up to the hype? Can Arizona State keep their magical season alive? And who will claim that final playoff spot: Alabama or SMU? Buckle up, football fans. The best is yet to come.
Originally Written by: Alex Scarborough
