AP Top 25 College Football Rankings: Week 5 2026
The AP Top 25 has undergone a major shake-up entering Week 5 of the 2026 college football season. Seven ranked teams lost during Week 4, creating significant movement throughout the poll and opening the door for several programs to climb into the national spotlight.
The latest Associated Press poll keeps Texas at No. 1, while Georgia and Notre Dame remain in the top three. Miami moved to No. 4, Ohio State climbed to No. 5, and Indiana stayed inside the top six. One of the biggest stories of the week, however, was Florida's dramatic rise after the Gators defeated previously No. 4 Ole Miss by 24 points.
Florida jumped 13 spots to No. 8, marking its first appearance in the AP Top 10 since 2021. Meanwhile, Mississippi State, Iowa, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Boise State, UCLA, and Kentucky all made notable moves or entered the rankings.
With conference races beginning to take shape, the Week 5 AP Top 25 provides an early look at which teams have established themselves nationally and which programs are trying to recover after difficult weekends.
What Is the AP Top 25?
The AP Top 25 is one of the most recognized weekly rankings in college football. It is determined by a national panel of sports media members who vote for the teams they believe belong among the nation's top programs.
Teams receive points according to their position on individual ballots. The rankings are updated throughout the season, meaning a team's position can change dramatically following a major win or loss.
The poll does not determine the College Football Playoff field by itself, but it remains an important measurement of national perception and provides fans with a weekly snapshot of the competitive landscape.
Texas Remains No. 1
The Texas Longhorns held onto the top spot after surviving a difficult road game against Tennessee.
Texas defeated Tennessee 20-17, overcoming a challenging environment in Knoxville. The victory was especially significant because it came in the Longhorns' first road game of the season.
Texas received 62 first-place votes, four more than the previous week. That increased support allowed the Longhorns to maintain a clear position at the top of the poll.
The narrow score also demonstrates why the top-ranked position can be difficult to maintain. Texas did not dominate the Volunteers, but the Longhorns found a way to secure the victory and remain unbeaten.
For Texas, the immediate objective is straightforward: continue winning while navigating a schedule filled with high-profile conference opponents.
Georgia Holds No. 2
The Georgia Bulldogs remain No. 2 in the AP Top 25 following another convincing performance.
Georgia defeated Oklahoma and continued an impressive scoring pace. According to the Associated Press, the Bulldogs entered the week averaging 41.5 points per game against their opponents.
Georgia also received six first-place votes, twice as many as the previous week.
The Bulldogs' position reflects the consistency they have shown during the opening portion of the season. While Texas remains No. 1, Georgia continues to occupy the second position and has created a strong early-season foundation.
Notre Dame Stays at No. 3
Notre Dame remains third in the latest AP Top 25.
The Fighting Irish entered Week 4 ranked No. 3 and maintained that position after defeating Purdue. The result allowed Notre Dame to remain ahead of several teams that made significant moves during the weekend.
Notre Dame's continued presence near the top of the poll is particularly important because the program is competing as an independent rather than as a member of one of the major conferences.
With the season still in its early stages, Notre Dame will have additional opportunities to strengthen its national résumé.
Miami Moves to No. 4
The Miami Hurricanes climbed to a season-high No. 4 in the latest poll.
Miami's movement came as several teams ahead of it or near it lost during Week 4. The Hurricanes took advantage of the situation by continuing to win and maintaining their undefeated record.
Miami also received one first-place vote.
The Hurricanes now sit directly behind Texas, Georgia, and Notre Dame, giving the program one of its strongest positions of the young season.
Ohio State Climbs to No. 5
The Ohio State Buckeyes moved up two positions to No. 5.
Ohio State's rise came during a weekend in which several ranked teams suffered losses. The Buckeyes also produced an impressive individual performance from wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who was among the standout players highlighted during Week 4.
Moving into the top five puts Ohio State in position to remain a major part of the national championship conversation as the season develops.
The Buckeyes have historically been one of college football's most prominent programs, and their place at No. 5 gives the Big Ten another team near the top of the national rankings.
Indiana Remains in the Top Six
The Indiana Hoosiers remain No. 6 after defeating Northwestern in a close Friday night game.
Indiana won 29-23, preserving its unbeaten record and preventing a major change at the top of the rankings.
The Hoosiers entered the weekend as No. 5, but Ohio State's movement resulted in Indiana dropping one position despite winning.
Indiana's continued presence near the top demonstrates how important it can be to maintain an undefeated record when other ranked teams are losing.
Alabama Holds No. 7
The Alabama Crimson Tide remain No. 7.
Alabama also reached an important statistical milestone this week. The program made its 300th consecutive AP Top 25 appearance, extending the longest active streak in the poll. Georgia has the next-longest active streak at 153 appearances.
That consistency has made Alabama one of the most recognizable programs in the history of the AP poll.
The Crimson Tide now enter the next phase of the season with another nationally ranked position and plenty of opportunities to climb.
Florida Makes the Biggest Jump
Perhaps the biggest story of the latest AP Top 25 is the Florida Gators.
Florida defeated then-No. 4 Mississippi 52-28, producing one of the most decisive results of the weekend.
As a result, Florida jumped 13 places to No. 8. The move was the biggest jump in the latest poll and placed the Gators inside the top 10 for the first time since 2021.
Florida is now 4-0, its first 4-0 start since 2019.
The Gators' rise is especially notable because they entered the season without being ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Their victories over Auburn and Mississippi have quickly changed the national perception surrounding the program.
Florida also became 2-0 in SEC play, adding further significance to its fast start.
Mississippi Drops to No. 9
Mississippi experienced one of the largest setbacks of Week 4.
The Rebels entered the weekend ranked No. 4 but lost to Florida 52-28.
Despite the loss, Mississippi remains inside the top 10 at No. 9. The result illustrates how quickly rankings can change when highly ranked teams face one another.
The Rebels now have an opportunity to respond on the field. Their ranking remains high enough to keep them firmly in the national conversation, but future performances will determine whether they can regain ground.
BYU Rounds Out the Top 10
The BYU Cougars remain No. 10.
BYU's position gives the Big 12 another team inside the top 10 and contributes to the conference's growing representation in the AP rankings.
The latest poll features five Big 12 teams in total, tying a notable conference mark from the 2020s.
BYU's continued position among the nation's top teams makes its upcoming schedule particularly important as the conference race develops.
Texas Tech Moves Into the Top 12
Texas Tech remains one of the highest-ranked teams outside the top 10, sitting at No. 12.
The Red Raiders entered Week 4 ranked No. 11 and continued to receive national attention after another strong performance.
Their position also reflects the strength of the Big 12, which now has five teams represented in the AP Top 25.
For Texas Tech, the next several weeks will provide opportunities to turn a strong ranking into a deeper conference run.
Iowa Surges After Beating Michigan
One of the most dramatic games of Week 4 involved Iowa and Michigan.
Iowa defeated Michigan on a walk-off touchdown in Ann Arbor. The victory moved Iowa to No. 14, while Michigan fell out of the AP Top 25.
Iowa's new ranking is its highest since 2021.
The result was particularly notable because Michigan entered the game ranked No. 18 and had been unbeaten. Iowa's final-play victory transformed the national picture for both programs.
For Iowa, the win represents an important boost as the Hawkeyes continue through the Big Ten schedule.
Oregon Climbs Five Spots
Oregon also benefited from a major Week 4 victory.
The Ducks defeated USC 41-27 on the road despite playing most of the game without star quarterback Dante Moore. Oregon moved up five spots to No. 15 in the latest AP poll.
The victory gave Oregon a significant boost and pushed USC down the rankings.
Oregon's performance is one of the more important developments in the Big Ten portion of the latest poll because it came against another ranked opponent on the road.
Mississippi State Makes a Major Move
Mississippi State climbed eight spots to No. 16 after defeating Missouri 31-24.
The Bulldogs had not defeated a ranked opponent since 2014, making the result particularly significant for the program.
Mississippi State's rise also shows how quickly a team can improve its national standing with a high-quality conference victory.
The Bulldogs now have an opportunity to build on that momentum during the next part of the schedule.
Tennessee Falls Three Spots
Tennessee entered Week 4 ranked No. 14 and dropped to No. 17 after losing to Texas.
The Volunteers came close to defeating the No. 1 team but ultimately fell 20-17.
A loss to the nation's top-ranked team can still leave a program with a strong résumé, but the immediate effect was a three-position drop in the AP poll.
Tennessee remains ranked and has plenty of time to recover during the remainder of the season.
USC Drops After Oregon Loss
USC suffered a difficult weekend against Oregon.
The Trojans entered the game ranked No. 12 but lost 41-27 at home, resulting in a move down to No. 18.
USC is still ranked, but the defeat provides a reminder of how quickly the middle of the AP Top 25 can change.
The Trojans now need to regroup and avoid allowing one loss to turn into a longer slide.
Oklahoma State Returns to the Rankings
Oklahoma State entered the AP Top 25 at No. 19.
The Cowboys defeated West Virginia on the road for their third consecutive victory after losing their previous 21 games against FBS opponents.
The return is notable because Oklahoma State had not been ranked for two years.
Their entry adds another Big 12 team to the national rankings and gives the conference five ranked programs.
Houston Moves Up to No. 20
Houston moved five places to No. 20 after winning at Georgia Southern.
The Cougars' rise adds further depth to the Big 12's presence in the rankings.
Houston is now one of five Big 12 programs included in the latest AP Top 25, joining BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and Oklahoma State.
The Cougars will have opportunities ahead to prove whether their ranking can continue to rise.
SMU Holds No. 21
SMU is ranked No. 21 in the latest poll.
The Mustangs remain one of only two ACC teams in the AP Top 25 alongside Miami.
SMU's position gives the ACC representation in the middle of the national rankings while Miami occupies the conference's highest position.
Boise State Enters at No. 22
One of the more interesting new additions is Boise State, which entered the AP Top 25 at No. 22.
The Broncos defeated Western Michigan by 25 points and improved to three consecutive wins after an earlier narrow loss to Oregon.
Boise State is the first Group of Six team to enter the AP Top 25 this season. The program had not been ranked since the 2025 preseason poll.
Its inclusion gives the latest rankings another storyline beyond the traditional Power Four conferences.
UCLA Returns at No. 23
UCLA is back in the AP Top 25 at No. 23.
The Bruins are 4-0 after defeating Maryland by 51 points.
The result marked UCLA's first appearance in the rankings in three years.
An undefeated record combined with a dominant road victory was enough to bring the Bruins back into the national rankings.
Kentucky Enters at No. 24
Kentucky is another new team in the latest AP Top 25.
The Wildcats defeated South Alabama after previously winning at Texas A&M. They now sit at No. 24.
Kentucky's ranking marks its first AP Top 25 appearance since 2023.
The Wildcats' emergence is another example of how the latest poll has been reshaped by several ranked teams losing in the same weekend.
Missouri Remains at No. 25
Missouri occupies the final position in the latest AP Top 25.
The Tigers lost to Mississippi State 31-24, but remained inside the rankings at No. 25.
Missouri's continued presence means the SEC has an extraordinary 10 teams represented in the latest poll.
That conference-wide representation remains one of the defining features of the current AP rankings.
Complete AP Top 25 Rankings
Here is the latest AP Top 25 following Week 4 of the 2026 college football season:
Texas
Georgia
Notre Dame
Miami
Ohio State
Indiana
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
BYU
LSU
Texas Tech
Utah
Iowa
Oregon
Mississippi State
Tennessee
USC
Oklahoma State
Houston
SMU
Boise State
UCLA
Kentucky
Missouri
Which Teams Fell Out of the AP Top 25?
Four teams dropped out of the rankings following Week 4.
Those teams were Penn State, Michigan, Louisville, and Texas A&M.
Penn State experienced one of the sharpest declines after losing at home to Wisconsin.
Michigan also fell out following the final-play defeat against Iowa.
Louisville was upset by Wake Forest, while Texas A&M lost to Kentucky.
These results demonstrate how competitive the middle of the AP Top 25 has become. A single loss can result in a team dropping significantly or disappearing from the poll altogether.
SEC Continues to Dominate the Rankings
The SEC once again has the largest representation in the AP Top 25.
The conference has 10 ranked teams:
Texas
Georgia
Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
LSU
Mississippi State
Tennessee
Kentucky
Missouri
That gives the SEC 40% of the entire 25-team poll.
The conference's depth is especially notable because several SEC teams remain positioned in the upper half of the rankings.
Big Ten Has Six Ranked Teams
The Big Ten has six teams in the latest AP Top 25:
Ohio State
Indiana
Iowa
Oregon
USC
UCLA
The conference has teams spread throughout the rankings, including two inside the top six and several more in the middle and lower portions.
The presence of Iowa and UCLA following their Week 4 victories adds additional depth to the conference.
Big 12 Has Five Ranked Teams
The Big 12 also has a strong presence with five ranked programs:
BYU
Texas Tech
Utah
Oklahoma State
Houston
The conference's five ranked teams represent one of its strongest levels of AP Top 25 representation in recent years.
The addition of Oklahoma State and Houston to the rankings makes the Big 12 particularly interesting to follow as conference play continues.
ACC Representation
The ACC has two ranked teams:
Miami at No. 4
SMU at No. 21
Miami's position near the top gives the conference one of the highest-ranked teams in the country, while SMU provides another ranked program further down the poll.
Pac-12 Has One Ranked Team
Boise State is the only Pac-12 representative in the latest AP Top 25.
The Broncos' entry at No. 22 is especially notable because they are the first Group of Six team to appear in the rankings this season.
Notre Dame Remains the Lone Independent
Notre Dame is the only independent program represented in the latest AP Top 25.
The Fighting Irish continue to hold the No. 3 position, placing them directly behind Texas and Georgia.
Their high ranking means Notre Dame remains a major part of the national picture despite not belonging to a conference.
Why Week 5 Could Be Important
The latest rankings set up several significant games for the next stage of the season.
Ranked teams will have opportunities to strengthen their positions, while teams that suffered losses will attempt to rebuild momentum.
The AP Top 25 is likely to continue changing rapidly because the gap between many teams in the middle of the poll remains small.
For fans, that makes the weekly rankings especially interesting. A convincing win against a quality opponent can produce a major jump, while a surprising loss can cause a team to fall several places or leave the rankings entirely.
Final Thoughts on the AP Top 25
The latest AP Top 25 reflects one of the most dramatic ranking changes of the young 2026 college football season. Texas remains No. 1, Georgia and Notre Dame continue to occupy the next two positions, and Miami and Ohio State have moved into the top five.
At the same time, Florida's jump to No. 8 has become the defining movement of the week after its dominant victory over Mississippi. Iowa, Oregon, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Boise State, UCLA, and Kentucky also made significant moves or entered the rankings.
With seven ranked teams losing during Week 4, the latest poll demonstrates just how quickly the national picture can change. As conference competition intensifies, the AP Top 25 will continue to provide a weekly snapshot of the teams making the biggest impact across college football.
For now, Texas holds the No. 1 position, but the expanding competition behind the Longhorns ensures that the next several weeks could bring even more movement throughout the AP Top 25.
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