Ohio State loss triggers major AP Top 25 shakeup

The AP Top 25 poll will undergo its most dramatic revision this season when it releases at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

No. 2 Ohio State suffered a 30-18 defeat to Southern California on Saturday, marking the second loss for the Buckeyes this season. The game was played without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who is currently injured. This result stands out as the only loss among the top ten teams in the final week of play before the College Football Playoff announces its initial rankings on Tuesday night.

The upset by USC, which secured its first victory over a top-five opponent since the 2017 Rose Bowl, sets the stage for a domino effect throughout the rankings. Six other teams currently positioned between No. 17 and No. 25 also lost their games. These teams include No. 3 Florida, which fell to No. 17 Georgia 27-8, along with No. 19 SMU, No. 20 Northwestern, No. 22 Arizona, No. 24 Oklahoma State, and No. 25 Wisconsin.

At the top of the list, No. 1 Miami maintained its undefeated status with a 38-35 win over North Carolina. The Hurricanes are expected to retain the top spot for a third consecutive week. No. 6 Utah also improved its position following a 49-25 victory over Cincinnati, a result that may propel the Utes into the top five for the first time since 2019.

Several unranked teams made compelling cases for entry into the poll. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 30-0 at home and is likely to return to the rankings after a one-week absence. USC is also positioned to re-enter the list, citing its highest-ranked win since defeating Oklahoma in the 2004 national championship game.

The selection committee for the College Football Playoff will release its first bracket on Tuesday. That group will evaluate teams like UCLA, which improved to 8-0 while playing without starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The committee also faces questions regarding Indiana, the defending champions, after their quarterback Josh Hoover left a 23-16 overtime win over Minnesota with an arm injury.

The AP Top 25 is determined by 69 writers and broadcasters who cover college football. Voters are instructed to base their decisions on on-field performance rather than reputation or preseason expectations. They are also encouraged to consider head-to-head results and to make substantial changes in the rankings when warranted.