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Week 1 Shake-Up Reorders AP Top 25: Ohio State No. 1, Alabama Under Fire, Michigan–Oklahoma on Deck

Coaches' public messages are steering early narratives after the opening shock.

Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images/File Photo
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QB Bryce Underwood and the Michigan Wolverines are 4.5-point favorites on the road vs. the Oklahoma Sooners in primetime on Saturday night.
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 05: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers looks on during the spring game at Memorial Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images for ONIT)

Overview

  • Ohio State climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 after a 14-7 win over preseason No. 1 Texas, which fell six spots as QB Arch Manning acknowledged struggles and vowed improvement.
  • Penn State sits at No. 2 following a five-touchdown opener and is expected to cruise through a soft nonconference slate before a Sept. 27 trip to Oregon draws heavier scrutiny.
  • Alabama tumbled to No. 21 after a lopsided loss at Florida State, with Kalen DeBoer insisting the Tide “aren’t done yet” as WR Ryan Williams remains day-to-day in concussion protocol and sideline energy faces criticism.
  • No. 15 Michigan visits No. 18 Oklahoma in Week 2, with freshman Bryce Underwood making his first road start as OU’s Brent Venables praised him with a Trevor Lawrence comparison.
  • Early postseason forecasts reacted quickly, with USA TODAY projecting Ohio State as the No. 1 CFP seed, while South Florida’s rout of Boise State boosted its Group-of-Five profile ahead of a trip to No. 13 Florida.