The biggest shakeup in the Coaches Top 25 Poll came right at the top, where Texas’ loss to Oklahoma opened the door for a new No. 1 heading into Week 7.
Texas, which started the week atop the rankings, fell five spots to No. 6 after Arch Manning threw two interceptions that directly led to the Sooners’ game-winning points. The loss didn’t bury the Longhorns, but it did leave enough doubt to push them out of the top spot and raise fresh questions about Manning’s development and whether this offense can truly contend.
That vacancy at No. 1 was one part of a wider movement across the poll. LSU was the second-biggest faller, dropping 11 spots after Lane Kiffin walked off a road field as a loser for the second time. The setback left him 13-13 on the road at both LSU and Ole Miss, and the article described his playoff ambitions as in tatters.
The biggest jump belonged to UCLA, which climbed 10 spots after upsetting Oregon on the road in a messy 17-15 win. The Bruins were far from clean, but they made enough plays to leave with the result, and the path ahead looks favorable for their playoff push.
Oregon took the hardest hit of anyone near the top, tumbling 12 spots after its second loss of the season. The Ducks are still in the poll, but they’re hanging on, and a road trip to Ohio State in a few weeks looms as another tough test.
There was movement in the back half of the rankings, too. Boise State finally earned a spot in the poll after a strong road showing against Fresno State, powered especially by its rushing game.
Wake Forest also entered the rankings, coming in with a 5-1 record that includes a dominant win at NC State. The Deacons also gave Miami its toughest test of the season.
Several teams disappeared from the poll after short stays. Florida was the biggest name to drop out, falling out after a second straight blowout loss. Duke also exited after a three-point loss to Georgia Tech on a missed field goal, and Pittsburgh dropped out after losing quarterback Mason Heintschel and then losing to North Carolina.
The coaches’ votes that fell just short of the top 25 included Northwestern with 107, Arizona with 92, Nebraska with 74, Oklahoma with 50, Wisconsin with 39, Duke with 35, James Madison with 33, Florida with 32, Pittsburgh with 25, New Mexico with 16, UTSA with 10, Baylor with 9, Memphis with 6, Oregon State with 2, and North Carolina with 1.
In Other News...
TCU Has One Chance To Reset Before Baylor Changes Everything
TCU is trying to keep the mood upbeat after its loss to BYU, even with the result making the road ahead much trickier in the Big 12 race. The Horned Frogs are treating this week as a reset point, leaning on a defense that has given them a chance to stay in games while the offense works to find more consistency before the matchup with Baylor.
Senior players KaMorreun Pimpton and Hudson Hooper both sounded confident that the group can respond and close the season in a better place than it started this stretch. The challenge now is turning that optimism into cleaner execution, because the margin for error is shrinking and Baylor is waiting at a point in the schedule where one more slip can change the conversation quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Heads Into TCU With Momentum And One Big Question
As Baylor heads into the week off before seeing TCU, Dave Aranda made it clear the Bears still see room to grow even after the recent stretch that has built some momentum. During his weekly media availability, Aranda focused on the teams ongoing improvement, stressing the value of using the bye week well while keeping the current rhythm intact and continuing to sharpen the details that matter in conference play.
Aranda also touched on the health of key pieces, noting encouraging signs up front and better movement from quarterback DJ Lagway. Those updates matter in a matchup like this, where protection and mobility can shape everything Baylor wants to do, but the biggest question now is how much of that progress carries over once the Bears return to action against the Horned Frogs. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Faces A Rivalry Threat That Could Hit Big 12 Hopes Hard
Baylors trip to face TCU carries more weight than a typical rivalry game, even with the Bears installed as the favorite. The matchup has the feel of a measuring stick for both programs, with Baylor trying to keep its Big 12 position intact and TCU leaning on the kind of defensive edge that can make a favorite uncomfortable on the road.
For the Horned Frogs, the stakes are obvious even without much room for error in league play, and that is part of what makes this one so intriguing. Baylor can ill afford a slip if it wants to stay in the title conversation, while TCU has enough on its side to make this a game that could turn quickly if the Bears are forced into a tight fourth-quarter fight. [Read more 🡒]