AP top-25 poll released following Week 4
There seemed like there would never be parity in college football after last season’s playoff featured four of the perennial powers. But Week 4 of this year’s season has turned that thought upside down and that shows in the latest AP top-25 poll.
Clemson’s offensive flaws caught up again, as NC State handed the Tigers their second loss of the season through four weeks of the season. DJ Uiagalelei has not looked like the quarterback that flashed in two games last season, and the Tigers’ offensive line woes have carried over to this year. Clemson continues its slide down the AP poll.
Upsets across the college football landscape did not end there, though. Arkansas easily handled Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium, sending a message the Razorbacks are a serious contender in the SEC West.
North Carolina continues to flounder, this week falling at Georgia Tech. And Iowa State picked up another loss, losing at Baylor 31-29. The loss drops the Cyclones to 2-2 on the season. Kansas State seemed to be on the rise in the Big 12, but Oklahoma State dashed those hopes with a 31-20 win.
So many thought the AP top-20 matchup of Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin was going to be the game of the day, too, but the Fighting Irish picked up a convincing 41-13 win. Notre Dame starting quarterback Jack Coan exited with a hamstring injury, and redshirt freshman Drew Pyne came in and put his playmaking talent on national display.
Oklahoma squeaked past West Virginia 16-13 as fans booed Spencer Rattler and called for freshman Caleb Williams to go in. Auburn needed some late-game heroics to get past Georgia State, and there could be a quarterback controversy brewing.
Michigan and Michigan State each picked up tight wins, and can’t forget Wake Forest’s impressive win on Friday night. The Demon Deacons might be the best team in the ACC. Boston College picked up an overtime win over Missouri, too.
The AP Poll voters have voted. Here is where the top-25 stands after the some major movement over the weekend.
The full AP Poll can be found below.
AP Poll (Sept. 26)
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) (58)
No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (4-0) (4)
No. 3 Oregon Ducks (4-0)
No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)
No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0)
No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (4-0)
No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0)
No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-0)
No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0)
No. 10 Florida Gators (3-1)
No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1)
No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)
No. 13 BYU Cougars (4-0)
No. 14 Michigan Wolverines (4-0)
No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies (3-1)
No. 16 Costal Carolina Chanticleers (4-0)
No. 17 Michigan State Spartans (4-0)
No. 18 Fresno State Bulldogs (4-0)
No. 19 Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0)
No. 20 UCLA Bruins (3-1)
No. 21 Baylor Bears (4-0)
No. 22 Auburn Tigers (3-1)
No. 23 NC State Wolfpack (3-1)
No. 24 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-0)
No. 25 Clemson Tigers (2-2)
Winners, losers latest AP poll
Winners
Arkansas: The Razorbacks are ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 2012. And they are just taking off. A win over Georgia this weekend could have them crack the top five.
Fresno State: The Bulldogs had a huge scare from UNLV, but they held on. And with a crazy weekend in college football, they were able to move up in the latest poll.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys knocked of Kansas State, but there 4-0 record has them inside the top-20. Bedlam needs to be circled on the calendar as the Sooners offense continues to struggle.
Losers
Clemson: The Tigers offense is stagnant. They are out of College Football Playoff contention. Defending their ACC crown is going to be a lift.
Wisconsin: The Badgers had a golden opportunity to rebound in the polls after falling to Penn State in the season opener. Now they are out of the poll and on the outside looking in for the Big Ten West.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels started the season with so much hope. Sam Howell was going to be a real Heisman contender. Now they are out of the poll and somewhat forgotten outside of the ACC.