AP Top 25 Shakeup: Texas Rejoins Top 10, ACC Powers Up With Five Ranked Teams

The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll delivered major shifts this Sunday. Texas climbed back into the coveted top ten. The Atlantic Coast Conference now boasts five ranked teams for the first time this season.

This reshuffle adds fresh intrigue to the playoff picture just weeks before selections are finalized. According to The Associated Press, the movement highlights the intense competition across multiple conferences.

Rankings Analysis: Longhorns Rise and Group of Five Intrigue

The University of Texas Longhorns are now ranked tenth. They did not play this past weekend but benefited from other results. Their upcoming showdown against the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs is now a top-ten matchup.

The ACC’s depth is now clearly reflected in the poll. Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, and Pittsburgh all earned spots. This marks the first time the conference has placed five teams since November 2024.

Perhaps the most compelling story is in the Group of Five ranks. James Madison of the Sun Belt Conference entered the poll at No. 24. South Florida of the American Athletic Conference is right behind at No. 25.

This gives two different Group of Five conferences a ranked team simultaneously. Their presence heats up the race for the automatic New Year’s Six bowl bid. Memphis’s loss to Tulane directly influenced this new dynamic.

Playoff Implications and Major Matchups Ahead

The new rankings set the stage for a blockbuster weekend of games. The Texas-Georgia clash headlines a slate with serious playoff consequences. Alabama will also host Oklahoma in another high-stakes contest.

For the ACC, having five ranked teams strengthens the conference’s national profile. It provides more opportunities for quality wins that the playoff committee values. Every game between these teams now carries extra weight.

The committee’s own rankings, due out Tuesday, will provide the next crucial data point. The AP poll movement suggests we could see significant changes there too. The final month of the regular season promises dramatic twists.

This AP Top 25 shift confirms the unpredictable nature of this college football season. The path to the playoff remains wide open for several contenders.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Why did Texas move into the top 10 without playing?

Texas benefited from other teams losing ahead of them. Their previous win over Oklahoma and a strong overall resume kept them positioned to rise when other ranked teams suffered defeats.

Q2: Which conferences have the most ranked teams now?

The SEC leads with eight ranked teams. The ACC follows with five, and the Big Ten has five. The Big 12 has four ranked teams remaining in the poll.

Q3: What does this mean for the College Football Playoff?

The rankings create more “must-win” games for contenders. Losses by top teams like Georgia, Alabama, or Oregon could drastically alter the projected four-team field with limited time left.

Q4: How rare is it for the ACC to have five ranked teams?

It is relatively uncommon. The last occurrence was in early November of the 2024 season. It demonstrates improved depth and competitiveness within the conference this year.

Q5: Can a Group of Five team make the playoff?

It remains a long shot but is theoretically possible. An undefeated champion from a conference like the American or Sun Belt would need significant chaos among the Power Five leaders and a very strong schedule.