The Coaches Poll has a new No. 1 after Week 6, and that shakeup starts with Texas taking the hit. The Longhorns were knocked from the top spot to No. 6 after their loss to rival Oklahoma, a game in which Arch Manning’s two interceptions led directly to the Sooners’ game-winning points.
That result left the coaches with the week’s biggest question: who moves into first? Among the contenders, one team stands out.
Texas’ fall wasn’t brutal in terms of rank - just five spots - but the loss to unranked Oklahoma sharpened the spotlight on Manning and raised fresh questions about whether this offense is ready to truly contend.
The other major tumble belonged to LSU, which slid 11 spots after another road loss for Lane Kiffin. The defeat left him 13-13 on the road at both LSU and Ole Miss, and it also left LSU’s playoff hopes badly damaged.
Oregon absorbed the harshest drop of the week, falling 12 places after its second loss. The Ducks are still hanging on in the poll, but the road ahead does not get easier, with Ohio State looming in a few weeks.
There was movement in the other direction, too. UCLA climbed 10 spots after a road upset of Oregon in a messy 17-15 game. The Bruins made plenty of mistakes and could have been even more convincing, but they still walked away with a win, and their schedule ahead gives them a real chance to keep building.
Boise State also earned a place in the poll after a solid road showing at Fresno State, powered in particular by its rushing attack.
Wake Forest is back in the national rankings as well. The Deacons enter at 5-1, helped by a dominant win at NC State and a performance that gave Miami its toughest test of the season.
Several teams disappeared from the poll entirely. Florida, which has bounced around the rankings wildly over the last few weeks, is out after a second straight blowout loss that is forcing a sudden reassessment of the Jon Sumrall regime.
Duke fell out after last week’s debut, undone by a three-point loss to Georgia Tech on a missed field goal. Pittsburgh also dropped out after North Carolina beat the Panthers, with the loss of quarterback Mason Heintschel proving too much to overcome.
Teams that received votes but fell short of the top 25 were Northwestern 107; Arizona 92; Nebraska 74; Oklahoma 50; Wisconsin 39; Duke 35; James Madison 33; Florida 32; Pittsburgh 25; New Mexico 16; UTSA 10; Baylor 9; Memphis 6; Oregon State 2; North Carolina 1.
In Other News...
Bryce Fitzgerald Could Change Miamis Secondary At The Perfect Time
With Miami dealing with health issues on defense, Bryce Fitzgerald has become one of the more interesting moving pieces in the secondary. The move from safety to cornerback has given the Hurricanes another option at a spot that has needed help, and the staff has already pointed to his versatility and the way he has handled the switch as reasons he has stayed in the mix.
The timing matters because reinforcements may be on the way, with Xavier Lucas expected back for the upcoming game against Florida State. Even so, Fitzgeralds emergence gives Miami something it can carry into a rivalry game and beyond, especially if the Hurricanes want more flexibility when injuries force them to keep shuffling the back end. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Has A Rival Chance To Prove The Numbers Mean Something
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Ahmmon Richards, the former Hurricanes wide receiver, added another layer to the discussion by pointing to the challenge Florida State faces against the opposing offense and defense. For Miami fans, that makes this more than just another rivalry game on the calendar - it is a chance to see whether the statistical edge translates into something real on the field, and whether the matchup looks as lopsided as it appears on paper. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Emerging For Elite Lineman Fans Will Want To Watch
The recruiting buzz around Miami keeps growing, and this one comes with a name worth remembering. Maui Tonata, a highly ranked 2028 offensive tackle from Utah, has already made two trips to campus, and the Hurricanes appear to be in a strong position as they try to plant an early flag with one of the nations more intriguing young linemen. Recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong has even logged a prediction with 60% confidence that Tonata will end up in Coral Gables.
For Miami, the appeal is easy to see. Tonata has said he is interested in attending an East Coast school, and he has singled out the Hurricanes coaching staff and facilities in his look at the program. Miami also currently sits at the top of the recruiting prediction metrics for Tonata, which makes this one worth tracking as the process develops. [Read more 🡒]