Alabama back in familiar spot atop AP Top 25 poll

Field Level Media|published: Sun 29th September, 15:27 2024

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) breaks a tackle by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) to score a touchdown that put Alabama ahead in the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Georgia 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Buoyed by a dramatic come-from-ahead victory over Georgia on Saturday night, Alabama jumped three spots into the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll after Week 5.

The Crimson Tide had not been atop the rankings since Oct. 2, 2022, with the latest poll making 16 of 17 seasons that they have been No. 1 at some point. Alabama, under the helm this season of Kalen DeBoer following the retirement of Nick Saban, is ranked first for the 141st time, the most of any program since AP rankings started in 1936.

As a counterpoint in football rankings history, UNLV broke into the poll for the first time and is tied with Texas A&M for No. 25. The Rebels are 4-0 for the first time in their Division I history after defeating Fresno State 59-14 on Saturday with new starting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams replacing the departed Matthew Sluka.

Alabama received 40 of 63 first-place votes, while former No. 1 Texas got 19 in slipping to the second spot after a 35-13 home win over Mississippi State.

Unbeaten Ohio State received four first-place votes and ranks third. Tennessee moved up one spot to fourth after an idle week, while Georgia dropped from second to fifth.

The Bulldogs trailed the Tide 28-0 in the first half and rallied to take a late lead, only to quickly lose it for a 41-34 victory for Alabama, which has handed Georgia its only three losses since 2021.

Ole Miss fell six spots to No. 12 after suffering its first loss, 20-17 at home against Kentucky. Utah dropped eight places to No. 18 following a 23-10 defeat to visiting Arizona.

Louisville slid seven spots to No. 22 after a 31-24 loss at Notre Dame. Illinois moved down five spots after a 21-7 defeat at Penn State.

The full AP Top 25 poll after Week 5:

No. 1 Alabama

No. 2 Texas

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 4 Tennessee

No. 5 Georgia

No. 6 Oregon

No. 7 Penn State

No. 8 Miami

No. 9 Missouri

No. 10 Michigan