AP Top 25: Alabama rises to No. 19, while Auburn enters poll at No. 24

For the first time since 2021, both Alabama and Auburn are ranked in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

This week’s poll has Alabama up two spots to No. 19 following its 73-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Alabama had dropped from No. 8 to No. 21 after its 31-17 to loss at Florida State a week ago.

Auburn enters the poll at No. 24 after its 42-3 victory over Ball State. The Tigers are 2-0 after their season-opening 38-24 win at Baylor and are in the poll for the first time under third-year coach Hugh Freeze.

Elsewhere, Ohio State, Penn State and LSU remain the top three teams this week. No. 4 Oregon is back in the top five and No. 18 South Florida is ranked for the first time in seven years. Georgia’s uninspired 28-6 win over Austin Peay caused them to slip to No. 6 behind Miami.

Texas, Notre Dame, Illinois and Florida State round out the top 10.

Clemson, which trailed Troy 16-0 midway through the second quarter before winning 27-16, slipped from No. 8 to No. 12.

Oklahoma earned a five-rung promotion to No. 13, its highest ranking in two years, after its win over Michigan. The Wolverines dropped to No. 23. Tennessee jumped seven spots to No. 15, and No. 16 Texas A&M and No. 17 each moved up three.

The biggest upward mover was No. 18 South Florida, which was eight spots out of the Top 25 last week. The Bulls pulled the upset of the day with their 18-16 win over then-No. 13 Florida. That followed their 34-7 home win over then-No. 25 Boise State.

No. 25 Missouri cracked the rankings along with USF.

Arizona State, Florida and SMU are out. The Sun Devils erased a 17-point deficit and led in the final minute before losing at Mississippi State. Florida’s loss put heat back on coach Billy Napier. SMU also blew a lead in the last minute and lost to Baylor in two overtimes.

The 16-team Southeastern Conference is the first league to have 11 teams in the Top 25.

AP Top 25 College Football Poll (first-place votes in parentheses; SEC teams in bold):

1. Ohio State (57)
2. Penn State (5)
3. LSU (2)
4. Oregon (1)
5. Miami
6. Georgia
7. Texas
8. Notre Dame
9. Illinois
10. Florida State
11. South Carolina
12. Clemson
13. Oklahoma
14. Iowa State
15. Tennessee
16. Texas A&M
17. Ole Miss
18. USF
19. Alabama
20. Utah
21. Texas Tech
22. Indiana
23. Michigan
24. Auburn
25. Missouri

Here are the upcoming games featuring ranked-vs.-ranked teams:

No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami: Bulls will try to become the fifth team, and first since Miami in 1987, to open a season with three wins over ranked opponents.

No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee: First big test for Volunteers QB Joey Aguilar. Bulldogs go for ninth straight win in the series.

No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame: Irish out to avoid second 0-2 start in four years. Jeremiyah Love scored late tie-breaking touchdown for Notre Dame in last year’s season-opening meeting in College Station.

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