Georgia climbs as Oklahoma returns to Top 10 in AP poll

ATLANTA — Georgia climbed to No. 4 and Oklahoma returned to the Top 10 as the newest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll was released Sunday.

Arkansas, now sitting on eight losses, did not receive a single vote this week. It keeps their streak alive this season of not getting one all year.

The top of the poll again featured Ohio State at No. 1, Indiana at No. 2 and Texas A&M at No. 3. Georgia’s move into the fourth spot pushed the Bulldogs back inside the playoff conversation during their late-season surge. The ranking also marked their highest position since early September, when the Bulldogs held a top-five slot.

Georgia improved to 9-1 after a 35-10 win over Texas, giving the Bulldogs a second win this season over a top-10 opponent. The victory extended their winning streak to six games.

Note: Texas Tech and Oregon are tied at No. 6 in the AP poll.

Oklahoma made one of the biggest jumps of the week, moving three spots to No. 8 following a road win at Alabama. It was the Sooners’ first appearance inside the Top 10 since early October, when they were previously ranked No. 6.

The rest of the top group reflected continued stability among the leading teams. The top three remained unchanged for the fifth straight week, and each continued to hold undefeated records heading into the closing stretch of the season.

Voters gave credit to Georgia’s defense, Oklahoma’s late rise and continued strength at the top of the poll. The top eight teams all carry either undefeated or one-loss records, which helped reinforce the narrow margins separating playoff hopefuls.

North Texas also returned to the rankings for the first time since 1959, one of several notable movements from outside the Power 5 conferences. The Mean Green improved to 9-1, helping secure their place at No. 22.

Three Group of 5 teams are now ranked, including James Madison at No. 21 and Tulane at No. 24. It is one of the rare weeks in which three teams from outside the Power 5 conferences appear together in the poll.

SEC presence grows in latest rankings

The Southeastern Conference led all leagues with nine teams in the Top 25, appearing at positions 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 17, 20 and 23. Georgia and Texas A&M headlined the group with top-five rankings, and Alabama remained inside the top tier despite its loss to Oklahoma.

The Big Ten placed five teams in the poll, including top-ranked Ohio State and second-ranked Indiana. The Big 12 followed with four, while the ACC had three. The American Athletic Conference posted two teams, and the Sun Belt added one through James Madison.

The conference breakdown continued a season-long trend in which the SEC and Big Ten maintained broad representation. The depth at the top of both conferences has also influenced national discussions about playoff seeding and at-large positioning.

Georgia’s rise came as its offense showed renewed consistency during the last month. The Bulldogs’ last four wins have each come by at least 15 points, helping voters move them ahead of several one-loss programs.

Oklahoma’s push back into the Top 10 reinforced the impact of its win in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners now hold two ranked victories, including an earlier season win that kept them in the poll during a mid-season stretch.

The top of the poll remained tight for another week. Ohio State held No. 1 after posting its 10th win, and Indiana stayed at No. 2 following an undefeated start. Texas A&M kept firm control of the third position.

Poll voters continued to reward teams that limited turnovers and managed late-game possessions. The top four teams all rank near the top nationally in scoring defense, another factor that shaped voting patterns.

Group of 5 programs continue gaining traction

James Madison, North Texas and Tulane offered some of the week’s most surprising poll results. James Madison remained inside the Top 25 for a second straight week, and Tulane returned to the rankings despite inconsistent play earlier in the season.

North Texas’ appearance gave voters another example of steady progress outside the Power 5. The program’s long absence from the poll — stretching back 66 years — made its return one of the most notable storylines of the week.

Several teams sitting just outside the Top 25 received votes but did not break through, while Arkansas remained far off the radar due to its eight-loss record.

The newest poll results again highlighted how close the competition remains across the Top 10 while also giving a spotlight to programs making rare appearances. With only a few weeks remaining, movement near the top is expected to continue.

Key takeaways

• Georgia climbed to No. 4 following its sixth straight win.

• Oklahoma moved back into the Top 10 after a road win at Alabama.

• Three Group of 5 teams — James Madison, North Texas and Tulane — earned Top 25 rankings.