Overview
- Nine days before the next CFP update, the AP poll moved 19 teams while keeping the top five intact: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Georgia, with Texas climbing to No. 10.
- In the US LBM Coaches Poll, Ohio State stayed No. 1 with 59 of 63 first-place votes and the top seven held, as Texas Tech rose to No. 8, Notre Dame to No. 9, and Texas and Oklahoma tied at No. 10.
- Texas Tech’s 29-7 win over previously unbeaten BYU handed the Cougars their first loss, lifted the Red Raiders into the Big 12 lead, and dropped BYU to No. 12 in both the AP (solo) and Coaches (tie).
- ACC turbulence continued with losses by Virginia and Louisville, pushing both down the polls and strengthening the outlook for Georgia Tech, while analysts now view the league as more likely to land only one CFP bid.
- The Group of Five race tightened after Memphis fell to Tulane, with James Madison debuting at No. 24 and South Florida at No. 25 in the AP poll and James Madison entering the Coaches Poll at No. 25 as the CFP committee’s decision looms.