Texas Longhorns Slip in AP Rankings; Aggies Surge After Thrilling Win

The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings reveal a shake-up, with the Texas Longhorns dropping to No. 8 after a lackluster performance against UTEP. The Longhorns, now with a record of 2-1, secured a 27-10 victory on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Austin, but their struggles were evident. The poll reflects a common sentiment among voters: not all wins carry the same weight.

In contrast, the Texas A&M Aggies surged dramatically in the rankings, climbing six spots to No. 10 following their thrilling 41-40 victory over Notre Dame. This loss further exacerbated Notre Dame’s woes, leaving them with an 0-2 record and resulting in a significant drop of 16 positions to No. 24.

Key Movements in the Rankings

The rankings saw other notable movements as well. The Miami Hurricanes advanced to No. 4 after a resounding 49-12 victory against South Florida, while the Georgia Bulldogs climbed to No. 5 after narrowly defeating Tennessee 44-41 in overtime. Meanwhile, the top three teams—Ohio State, Penn State, and Louisiana State—maintained their positions, underscoring their consistent performances.

The Southeastern Conference continues to dominate the rankings, with 11 teams included, four of which are in the top 10. Oklahoma moved up to No. 11 following a decisive 42-3 win over Temple. Ole Miss and Alabama also made strides, rising to No. 13 and No. 14, respectively, after their victories against Arkansas and Wisconsin.

In a disappointing turn, Clemson fell out of the rankings after losing 24-21 to Georgia Tech, which entered the poll at No. 18 following their upset victory. Additionally, Vanderbilt made an entrance into the rankings at No. 20 after a convincing 31-7 win over South Carolina.

As the season progresses, the upcoming match between Texas and Vanderbilt on November 1 promises to be a pivotal encounter for both programs. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the rankings evolve as teams continue to battle for supremacy on the field.