Ohio State Returns to No. 1 in AP Top 25; Alabama Hits Lowest Ranking in 17 Years
Ohio State has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings following an impressive opening week victory over then-No. 1 Texas. Meanwhile, Alabama suffered a significant drop to No. 21, marking its lowest ranking in 17 years after a surprising loss to Florida State.
Ohio State’s Rise to the Top
The Buckeyes moved up two spots to secure the top position in the AP Top 25 released on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, collecting 55 first-place votes. Their decisive 14-7 win over the Longhorns in the marquee Week 1 game set the tone for the season and showed Ohio State’s championship mettle.
Under coach Ryan Day, Ohio State displayed resilience and opportunistic defense in a tightly contested matchup. New quarterback Julian Sayin contributed solidly in his first start, while the defense’s goal-line stands and a timely interception proved critical. Despite a less explosive offensive performance, the Buckeyes demonstrated strong situational football to earn the victory.
This marks a significant statement after Ohio State’s 2024 national championship and comes after their consistent success against top teams in recent history, including wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, and Texas again in the previous season.
Shifts in the Top 10
Penn State maintained the No. 2 spot with a commanding 46-11 win over Nevada, earning seven first-place votes. LSU made a notable jump to No. 3, rising six spots after a 17-10 victory at Clemson. Georgia rose one place to No. 4, while Miami made a strong push into the top five, climbing five spots to No. 5 following a narrow 27-24 win against Notre Dame.
Texas fell sharply to No. 7, and both Clemson and Notre Dame dropped due to early losses in the opening week, now ranked at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively.
Alabama’s Dramatic Fall
In stark contrast to Ohio State’s ascent, Alabama plummeted to No. 21 after a 31-17 road loss to an unranked Florida State team, which had shown marked improvement under coach Mike Norvell. This drop is the lowest for Alabama in 17 years, highlighting the challenges faced by head coach Kalen DeBoer early in his tenure. The loss advances questions about Alabama’s dominance and consistency in setting up its 2025 campaign.
Looking Ahead
With Week 1 results shaking up the rankings, the upcoming games this season promise intense competition among top programs aiming to secure playoff positioning. Ohio State looks poised to defend its championship aspirations, while Alabama and other traditional powerhouses will seek to rebound quickly.
As college football progresses through the season, these early rankings set the stage for exciting developments, with teams like LSU, Miami, and Penn State also vying to establish themselves as serious national title contenders.