Week 6 shook up the AP Top 25 in a hurry, and the biggest headline is a simple one: Georgia is back at No. 1.
The Bulldogs moved to the top after their win over Alabama, with Texas’ upset loss to Oklahoma helping clear the path. Notre Dame slid into No. 2, followed by Miami at No.
3, Ohio State at No. 4 and Indiana at No. 5.
Alabama comes in at No. 6, with Texas right behind at No. 7.
The rest of the top 10 rounds out with BYU, Ole Miss and Texas Tech.
The full top 25 after Week 6: Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami (FL), Ohio State, Indiana, Alabama, Texas, BYU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Utah, UCLA, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Iowa, Oklahoma State, USC, Houston, Wake Forest, LSU, Boise State, SMU and Northwestern.
Northwestern is one of the week’s biggest movers, jumping into the poll at No. 25, while Wake Forest entered at No. 21.
Kentucky also made a major leap after knocking off LSU, climbing all the way into the top 15 at No. 15.
LSU took one of the hardest falls. The Tigers stayed ranked, but dropped to No. 22 after sitting in the top ten a week ago.
Pitt didn’t just drop out after losing to UNC; it disappeared from the voting totals entirely. UNC, meanwhile, still didn’t get into the AP Poll despite the win.
The Tar Heels did receive one vote in the Coaches Poll, but that was it.
The conference breakdown reflects how much power still sits in the SEC, which leads the way with nine ranked teams. The Big Ten has six, the Big 12 has five, the ACC has three, and the Independent and Pac-12 each have one.
This week’s schedule brings several heavyweight matchups. No.
4 Ohio State visits No. 5 Indiana on Saturday at noon ET on FOX.
No. 6 Alabama heads to No.
14 Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Later, No. 2 Notre Dame plays at No.
8 BYU at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
There are also a few games that could tilt the rankings again. Arizona State visits No.
10 Texas Tech at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, Wisconsin travels to No.
12 UCLA at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and No.
21 Wake Forest goes to Cal at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Coaches Poll tells a slightly different story at the top. Georgia leads there too, with 60 first-place votes, followed by Notre Dame, Miami (FL), Indiana and Ohio State.
Texas sits sixth in that ranking, with Alabama seventh, BYU eighth and Texas Tech ninth. Oregon appears in the Coaches Poll at No.
In Other News...
Belichick's Tar Heels Just Answered Their Biggest Early Question
North Carolinas win at Pittsburgh gave the Tar Heels a much-needed early-season benchmark, and it came in a setting that tends to reveal plenty about a team. Beating No. 25 Pitt 21-17 at Acrisure Stadium was not only UNCs first ranked victory since 2023, it was also the programs first road win over a ranked opponent since 2020, a useful reminder that this group can handle a hostile environment and still finish.
Bill Belichick pointed to the teams toughness and preparation after the comeback, and the Tar Heels backed that up by digging out of a 10-point hole and tightening up defensively in the second half. Shamar Easters 75-yard touchdown provided the burst that changed the feel of the game, while the defense did enough to keep Pittsburgh from building on its chances, leaving UNC with a result that answers one of the biggest questions hanging over this seasons start. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Volleyball Is Starting To Look Tough To Stop
No. 25 Carolina volleyball kept its roll going with a sweep of Virginia, 3-0, and the Tar Heels are starting to look every bit like a team that can control a match in a hurry. Safi Hampton led the way with 10 kills, while the defense kept Virginia from finding much rhythm as Carolina picked up another victory in what has become a long winning streak.
Addison West gave the Tar Heels a lift in her first career start, adding to a group effort that showed up at the net and across the floor. With multiple blocks and contributions from several players, Carolina continues to win in a way that suggests the ceiling may still be rising as the schedule moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
UNC's Secondary Suddenly Faces A Big Loss After Pitt Win
North Carolinas defense took a hit in the win over Pittsburgh when cornerback Tre Miller went down with a significant lower-body injury and left in the third quarter without returning. For a secondary that has already had to navigate plenty of moving parts, losing a corner in the middle of the season adds another layer of concern, especially with the Tar Heels trying to keep momentum after the Pitt game.
Kaleb Cost also was injured in the same contest, and his return timeline remains unclear, leaving UNC with questions at a position group that can ill afford more uncertainty. Miller is reportedly doubtful to come back this season, which gives the injury even more weight as the Tar Heels shift from celebrating a victory to figuring out how much depth they have left in the back end. [Read more 🡒]