Though Ohio State was No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2023 season, Georgia remains the overwhelming choice atop the AP Top 25 poll after its win against No. 14 Missouri. Here’s what you need to know:
- The top five has been the same in each of the past four polls: Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State and Washington — the five remaining unbeaten Power 5 teams.
- Georgia received 49 of 63 first-place votes, an increase of one from last week. The Bulldogs have been ranked No. 1 in 21 consecutive polls, tied for the second-longest No. 1 streak ever, per College Poll Archive.
- After eight ranked teams lost in Week 10, including four of five teams ranked from No. 10 to No. 14, Louisville, Oregon State, Utah and Tennessee moved into the first four spots outside the top 10.
- Oklahoma dropped seven spots to No. 17 after its loss to Oklahoma State, which entered the poll at No. 15. Notre Dame plummeted 10 spots to No. 22 following its loss to Clemson.
- USC, UCLA, Kansas State and Air Force fell out of the poll, while Arizona, North Carolina and Liberty joined Oklahoma State in moving in.
The full AP Top 25 after Week 10
1. Georgia (49)
2. Michigan (9)
3. Ohio State (3)
4. Florida State (2)
5. Washington
6. Oregon
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Penn State
10. Ole Miss
11. Louisville
12. Oregon State
13. Utah
14. Tennessee
15. Oklahoma State
16. Missouri
17. Oklahoma
18. LSU
19. Kansas
20. Tulane
21. James Madison
22. Notre Dame
23. Arizona
24. North Carolina
25. Liberty
Others receiving votes: Fresno State 73, Kansas State 73, USC 46, Air Force 26, Toledo 25, UCLA 11, Iowa 6, SMU 5, Duke 4, West Virginia 3, Texas A&M 1, NC State 1, Clemson 1
Will the AP and CFP rankings continue to differ at the top?
Ohio State topping the first CFP rankings was largely resume-based: The Buckeyes had wins against two top-15 teams in last week’s rankings in Penn State and Notre Dame, while Georgia hadn’t beaten a single ranked team. AP voters stuck to Georgia this week, and it’s possible the selection committee could trend that way. After all, Georgia notched its first win against a currently ranked opponent in beating Missouri, while Ohio State was played close by Rutgers into the fourth quarter and had its win against the Irish damaged a bit by their loss to Clemson.
Notre Dame is still ranked, but Georgia narrowed the resume gap and an argument can be made that it has played better football overall. If Georgia isn’t No. 1 in the CFP rankings this week, it will have a chance to make a stronger case the next two weeks against Ole Miss and Tennessee, both of which are ranked too.
How will Week 11 impact the rankings?
Oklahoma’s losses aside, the top of the poll has been in a holding pattern in recent weeks. Will Week 11 be the time for a Saturday to provide a shakeup? For the first time this season, there are two matchups of AP top-10 teams on the same day: At noon ET, No. 2 Michigan visits No. 9 Penn State. At 7 p.m. ET, No. 10 Ole Miss visits No. 1 Georgia. They are the highest-ranked opponents the Bulldogs and Wolverines — who have not budged from the top two spots all season — have faced thus far.
No. 5 Washington also has another stiff test in hosting No. 13 Utah, while No. 4 Florida State is home for a rivalry game against Miami. Ohio State will be the largest favorite among the unbeaten top five, as it hosts Michigan State.
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(Photo: Steve Limentani / ISI Photos / Getty Images)
