Austin, Texas: Longhorns Roar to No. 1 in AP College Football Poll

Austin, Texas: Longhorns Roar to No. 1 in AP College Football Poll

In a thrilling twist of college football fate, Texas has climbed to the very top of The Associated Press Top 25 poll, marking the first time in 16 years that the Longhorns claim the coveted number one spot. This big news came early Sunday morning, as the Longhorns replaced the Georgia Bulldogs, who had a tough outing in their latest game.

Longhorns Soar to New Heights

The Longhorns, having started the season at No. 2, have garnered an impressive 35 first-place votes and a total of 1,540 points in the latest rankings. The Bulldogs, who had been holding onto the number one position since the preseason poll, slipped to second place after battling their way to a 13-12 victory against Kentucky. Georgia received 23 first-place votes and 1,518 points, leading to some serious excitement for Texas fans.

As anticipation builds, the Longhorns are gearing up for a showdown against the Bulldogs on October 19 in Austin, which promises to be a highlight of the season.

Bulldogs Struggle and Texas Seizes Opportunity

Georgia’s recent struggle to maintain their unbeaten status has opened the door for Texas, who last held the No. 1 position in the middle of the 2008 season. During that year, the Longhorns spent three weeks at the top before losing an unforgettable game against Texas Tech. For many fans, this recent climb up the rankings feels like long awaited redemption for the storied football program.

Coming off a successful outing against UTSA, in which Arch Manning stepped in as quarterback when Quinn Ewers went down with a minor abdomen injury, coach Steve Sarkisian expressed pride in Manning’s performance. The nerves of stepping onto a field with 105,000 passionate fans can be overwhelming, but Manning stood strong and showed that he has what it takes to succeed at this level.

Eager Eyes on Upcoming Matchups

As for other teams, Ohio State remains steady at No. 3, holding on to five first-place votes while Alabama and Mississippi continue to rock the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively. The excitement doesn’t stop there, as Tennessee moved up a spot to No. 6, swapping places with Southeastern Conference rival Missouri.

With all eyes on them, both Alabama and Georgia will be taking a break next week to prepare for a significant top-five matchup on September 28. Fans and voters alike will be eagerly considering the implications of who deserves to be ranked No. 1 next.

Record-Breaking Rankings

This marks the 94th time in history that the top-ranked team has dropped from the number one spot after a win; a trend that just goes to show how gritty and competitive college football can be. This is reminiscent of last year when Georgia and Alabama were swapping the crown back and forth so frequently.

Georgia has held the top ranking a whopping 39 times since 2021. Meanwhile, Texas prepares to sink into the top position during its first season in the SEC, where it has felt at home in 50 of the last 52 polls.

New Faces in the Rankings

In case you missed it, Boston College made its debut in the rankings only to fall out after a loss at Missouri. Arizona is also out following a tough defeat against Kansas State. But it’s not all sad news! Illinois has made its first appearance at No. 24, and Texas A&M is back at No. 25.

Heading into the weekend, the SEC boasts an impressive nine ranked teams, while the Big Ten isn’t far behind with seven, creating a palpable buzz for what’s to come.

Exciting Games on the Horizon

For college football fans everywhere, the excitement is far from over. This Friday, No. 24 Illinois will face off against No. 22 Nebraska, while No. 6 Tennessee takes on No. 15 Oklahoma on Saturday. The spotlight will also be shining on USC as they meet No. 18 Michigan, making for a jam-packed weekend of football fun!

As we cheer on our favorite teams, it’s clear that Texas is back, and they’re ready to fight their way to keep that No. 1 ranking alive!