Oregon No. 1 for first time since 2012, Georgia No. 2 in AP Top 25 poll

Field Level Media|published: Sun 20th October, 15:42 2024

Oct 18, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jay Harris (22) strong arms Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) to score a touchdown during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Oregon vaulted to the top of the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for the first time in 12 years on Sunday after its dominant win at Purdue and Texas' home loss to Georgia on Saturday.

The Ducks (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) avoided a letdown following their 32-31 home victory over then-No. 3 Ohio State on Oct. 12 by routing the host Boilermakers 35-0 on Friday. Oregon, which received 59 of the 61 first-place votes, moved into the top spot after the then-No. 5 Bulldogs knocked off the Longhorns 30-15 to end Texas' two-week run at No. 1.

Georgia (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) moved up to No. 2 and received the other two first-place votes, while the Longhorns slipped to No. 5. Penn State and Ohio State bye weeks and remain at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.

The Ducks are the fourth team this season to hold the top ranking. No team has been No. 1 for longer than three straight weeks.

Tennessee made the biggest leap in the polls, jumping four spots to No. 7 after its 24-17 home win over then-No. 7 Alabama. The Crimson Tide suffered the biggest drop, falling eight spots to No. 15, their worst ranking since 2010.

Vanderbilt (No. 25) entered the AP poll for the first time since 2013 after its 24-14 home victory over Ball State. Meanwhile, defending national champion and then-No. 24 Michigan fell out of the rankings for the first time this season after losing 21-7 at Illinois, which moved up to No. 20.

Miami remained one spot ahead of the Volunteers at No. 6 after its wild 52-45 win at Louisville. LSU routed Arkansas 34-10 to remain at No. 8, while Clemson and Iowa State swapped spots in the rankings to round out the top 10 after both teams won.

The full AP Top 25 poll after Week 8:

1. Oregon

2. Georgia

3. Penn State

4. Ohio State

5. Texas

6. Miami

7. Tennessee

8. LSU

9. Clemson

10. Iowa State

11. BYU