Indiana University has achieved a historic milestone by securing its first-ever No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. The Hoosiers finished the regular season and the Big Ten championship game with an impressive record of 13-0, effectively ending Ohio State’s 14-week reign at the top. Indiana’s decisive 13-10 victory over the Buckeyes in Indianapolis on Saturday night solidified their position as the unanimous choice for No. 1.
Looking ahead, Indiana is poised for the top seed in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. This marks a significant turnaround for a program that previously held the record for the most losses in major college football history before the appointment of head coach Curt Cignetti two years ago. Prior to this victory, Indiana had never been ranked higher than No. 2, a position they held for seven consecutive weeks.
Georgia has climbed to the No. 2 spot in the rankings after a dominant performance against Alabama, winning by three touchdowns in the Southeastern Conference championship game. The Bulldogs now hold their highest ranking of the season. Ohio State, the defending national champion, has slipped to No. 3, trailing Indiana by 100 ballot points. Georgia leads Ohio State by just 12 points.
In other noteworthy rankings, Texas Tech ascended to No. 4 following a commanding 27-point victory over BYU in the Big 12 championship game. Oregon rounds out the top five, followed closely by Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Miami. Notably, Miami has returned to the top 10 for the first time since mid-October, moving up two spots.
The rankings also reflect a strong showing from Group of Five teams. Tulane, the American Conference champion, jumped four spots to No. 17, marking its highest ranking in two years. James Madison retained its position at No. 19 as the Sun Belt Conference champion.
Virginia experienced the most significant drop in the rankings, falling from No. 16 to No. 20 after losing in overtime to Duke in the ACC championship game. With a limited schedule of games, all teams that were previously in the Top 25 have remained in the poll.
The final AP Top 25 rankings will be released on January 20, 2024, the day following the national championship game, as fans eagerly await the culmination of the college football season.
In terms of conference representation, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads with eight ranked teams, including positions 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, and 25. The Big Ten boasts five ranked teams, with Indiana at No. 1 and Ohio State at No. 3. The Big 12 has four teams in the rankings, while the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and American Athletic Conference (AAC) each feature three ranked teams. The Sun Belt Conference is represented by one team, James Madison.
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, Indiana’s ascent to the top spot serves as a testament to their resilience and competitive spirit, setting the stage for an exciting playoff season ahead.
