Florida State among five teams out of the top 25 after tumultuous weekend

If there’s been any kind of mercy shown to Carolina fans this season, it’s that the Tar Heels’ open dates have both come during weeks that turned out to be highly eventful for the rest of the FBS, giving us full opportunity to enjoy the chaos.

A season-high eight ranked teams lost on Saturday, with five falling to unranked opponents. This led to five teams dropping out of the top 25, the most to do so in a regular season poll since 2022. Here’s what things look like now that the dust has settled.

AP Top 25 (Released 10/12)

1. Ohio State (50 first place votes)
2. Miami (FL) (13)
3. Indiana (3)
4. Texas A&M
5. Ole Miss
6. Alabama
7. Texas Tech
8. Oregon
9. Georgia
10. LSU
11. Tennessee
12. Georgia Tech
13. Notre Dame
14. Oklahoma
15. BYU
16. Missouri
17. Vanderbilt
18. Virginia
19. South Florida
20. USC
21. Texas
22. Memphis
23. Utah
24. Cincinnati
25. Nebraska

Where is UNC?

Somewhere in the depths of Hades, perhaps wishing their administration was as willing to make a change as Penn State’s (happy trails, James Franklin).

Biggest Winners

South Florida moved up five spots to #19 after a resounding win at previously undefeated North Texas. Indiana climbed four spots to #3–the highest ranking in program history–after taking down then-#3 Oregon in Eugene. USC, Texas and Utah reentered the poll at #20, #21 and #23 after commanding wins over ranked opponents. Cincinnati entered the poll for the first time since 2022 at #24 and Nebraska entered for the first time this season at #25 after both teams improved to 5-1.    

Biggest Losers

Michigan plummeted from #15 to unofficial #27 after losing at USC. Illinois dropped from #17 to unofficial #26 following a decisive home loss to #1 Ohio State. Arizona State, Iowa State and Florida State went from #21, #22 and #25 to receiving zero votes after losing to Utah, Colorado and Pittsburgh. Oklahoma had the biggest fall within the top 25, dropping eight spots to #14 after losing to Texas at the Cotton Bowl. 

Conference Breakdown

• SEC: 10
• Big Ten: 5
• Big 12: 4
• ACC: 3
• American: 2
• Independent: 1

Marquee Matchups This Week

• #10 LSU (5-1) at #17 Vanderbilt (5-1) – Saturday at 12:00 PM ET on ABC
• #5 Ole Miss (6-0) at #9 Georgia (5-1) – Saturday at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
• #11 Tennessee (5-1) at #6 Alabama (5-1) – Saturday at 7:30 PM ET on ABC
• #20 USC (5-1) at #13 Notre Dame (4-2) – Saturday at 7:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock
• #23 Utah (5-1) at #15 BYU (6-0) – Saturday at 8:00 PM ET on FOX

Upset Watch?

• #25 Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2) – Friday at 8:00 PM ET on FOX
• #12 Georgia Tech (6-0) at Duke (4-2) – Saturday at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
• #14 Oklahoma (5-1) at South Carolina (3-3) – Saturday at 12:45 PM ET on SEC Network
• #4 Texas A&M (6-0) at Arkansas (2-4) – Saturday at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN

Coaches Poll

1. Ohio State (63 first place votes)
2. Miami (FL) (2)
3. Indiana (1)
4. Texas A&M
5. Ole Miss
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. Texas Tech
9. Oregon
10. LSU
11. Tennessee
12. Georgia Tech
13. Oklahoma
14. BYU
15. Notre Dame
16. Missouri
17. Texas
18. Vanderbilt
19. Virginia
20. Memphis
21. USC
22. Utah
23. South Florida
24. Cincinnati
25. Illinois