Final AP Top 25 Poll released following College Football Playoff National Championship

The final AP Poll Top 25 rankings are in the books following Michigan 34-13 win over Washington in the national championship.

Well, you know the top two teams at the end of the year, right? How about the rest of the rankings that featured some last minute movement to close this college football chapter.

Let’s dive into the final AP Poll of the 2023-24 college football season.

1. Michigan

Michigan of course finished the season as the top team in the country. Would it be anyone else? Throw everything else out the window, it was earned on the field.

The Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh dominated Washington in the end and finished out a perfect season. The future of Harbaugh is the biggest question, but there’s no doubt Michigan was the best team in college football.

2. Washington

Washington was extremely impressive all season long, but just couldn’t get it going against Michigan in the national title game. Michael Penix Jr. was bottled up in a rare performance.

While he was bruised and battered, the Huskies were in the game up to a certain point. But, they fell short in the end but still, don’t discount the previous 14 games to get to that point.

3. Texas

Texas almost had it, and we mean almost. It was nearly a miraculous comeback in the Sugar Bowl against Washington, but there’s no denying this season.

Steve Sarkisian got his crew a Big 12 title and nearly a chance to play for a national championship. The move to the SEC next year is going to be fascinating. Texas is back.

4. Georgia (+2)

Georgia might be thinking to itself: “we could’ve won it all this year.” The Bulldogs did not get a three-peat since they missed out on the CFP.

However, Kirby Smart’s crew proved it was still one of the best teams in the country and you can make arguments all day on how they would’ve done in this year’s playoff. The reset for next year is one to watch.

5. Alabama

Let’s get to Alabama, this year’s SEC champion. The voters opted to go with Georgia above the Crimson Tide despite Nick Saban beating his former protege in the title game.

But Alabama had its chances and blew a lead against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. If the Crimson Tide made the title game, who knows what happens? Still, Saban isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

T-6. Oregon (+2)

Oregon was dominant all season long, except for those two games against Washington. That’s gotta sting. But Dan Lanning and crew will get their chance against the Huskies in the Big Ten.

It’ll be an interesting facelift for those west coast teams but there’s no doubt Lanning built something in Eugene. Now, can he sustain it for the long haul?

T-6. Florida State (-2)

Florida State made a lot of noise by missing out on the College Football Playoff when the Seminoles finished 13-0 as ACC champions. It was a shame, but that’s ultimately where the chips fell.

The Orange Bowl didn’t help matters with injuries and opt outs. The blowout loss to Georgia stings, but Mike Norvell could very well reload this team to make the 12-team playoff in 2024.

8. Missouri (+1)

Eli Drinkwitz should definitely be one of the best stories of the 2023 season. Missouri capped off the year 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State.

If he can push all of the right buttons with this crew, what about next year? Better, worse? We shall see, but Mizzou is suddenly a player year-to-year in the SEC.

9. Ole Miss (+2)

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are already a sleeper for next year’s national title. Ole Miss has plenty of talent coming back as well as the ability to hit the portal.

With the team’s two losses only coming to Alabama and Georgia, like Missouri, this team is going to be a player. Get your popcorn ready for the rise of Ole Miss.

10. Ohio State (-3)

Ohio State leaves the 2023 season with questions after a loss and guys transferring out. But, the Buckeyes landed Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins in the portal to plug in at QB and RB.

So basically, Ryan Day hit the reset button to try and break the three year skid against Michigan and not winning the Big Ten for next year. Buckle up for 2024.

Rest of AP Poll Top 25

11. Arizona (+3)
12. LSU (+1)
13. Penn State (-3)
14. Notre Dame (+1)
15. Oklahoma (-3)
16. Oklahoma State (+6)
17. Tennessee (+8)
18. Kansas State
19. Louisville (-3)
20. Clemson
21. NC State (-2)
22. SMU (-5)
23. Kansas
24. Iowa (-4)
25. Liberty (-7)

Others receiving votes: Oregon St. 96, West Virginia 90, Tulane 76, James Madison 52, Southern Cal 35, Memphis 32, Utah 14, Troy 10, Air Force 8, Toledo 7, Duke 6, Kentucky 4, UCLA 4, Miami (Ohio) 4, UTSA 3, Wyoming 2, Northwestern 2, Ohio 1.

Now that the final poll is in, it’s time to put a pin in college football until next year. It’s sad isn’t it? But just wait until the 2024 season, it’ll be just as good.