All Trojans

AP Top 25 Poll Updated Before Conference Championship Weekend

Newest AP Top 25 Poll after then-ranked No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies lost to the No.14 Texas Longhorns in rivalry week. The No. 17 USC Trojans moved up past the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines after coach Sherrone Moore and his team lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes at home.
Charlie Viehl|
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to media following the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to media following the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

USC TrojansOhio State BuckeyesMichigan WolverinesTexas LonghornsTexas A&M AggiesVanderbilt CommodoresOklahoma SoonersAlabama Crimson TideNotre Dame Fighting IrishIndiana HoosiersOregon DucksTexas Tech Red RaidersBYU Cougars

The newest AP Top 25 Poll saw some shuffling after the No. 14 Texas Longhorns spoiled then-ranked No. 3 Texas A&M's undefeated season, and No. 1 Ohio State exorcised some demons in the Buckeyes' win over then-ranked No. 15 Michigan.

The No. 17 USC Trojans finished the season with a win over the UCLA Bruins despite trailing at halftime, but USC was already eliminated from CFP contention after falling to No. 4 Oregon in week 13. Still, the Trojans could end the season as the fourth-highest ranked team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, and the Ducks.

ohio state buckeyes ryan day michigan wolverines usc trojans lincoln riley ap top 25 poll rankings college football playoff
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leads the Spirit of Troy marching band in a rendition of Tribute to Troy after teh game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Many expected the Big Ten to get three or four programs into the 12-team field, but USC coach Lincoln Riley and his team finished the regular season with a 9-3 record. USC moved up slightly in the AP Poll after Michigan lost as well as then-ranked No. 18 Tennessee.

Here is the newest AP Top 25 Poll, released on Sunday:

AP Top 25 Poll Week 15

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Georgia
4. Oregon
5. Texas Tech
6. Ole Miss
7. Texas A&M
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. BYU
12. Miami
13. Vanderbilt
14. Texas
15. Utah
16. Virginia
17. USC
18. Michigan
19. James Madison
20. North Texas
21. Tulane
22. Arizona
23. Navy
24. Georgia Tech
25. Missouri

No. 8 Oklahoma survived against LSU and No. 10 Alabama beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl, meaning both the Sooners and the Crimson Tide are expected to make the CFP. Alabama will now face No. 3 Georgia in the SEC title game after Texas A&M's loss. In the AP Top 25 Poll, neither Alabama nor Oklahoma moved.

No. 12 Miami did jump over No. 13 Vanderbilt, followed by No. 14 Texas after the Longhorns' win over the Aggies.

ohio state buckeyes ryan day michigan wolverines usc trojans lincoln riley ap top 25 poll rankings college football playoff
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

No. 11 BYU and No. 7 Texas Tech took care of business over the weekend, setting up a rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game. Are both the Cougars and the Red Raiders safe, in terms of making the CFP?

MORE: Steve Sarkisian's Bold SEC Playoff Claim About Texas Raises Questions About USC

MORE: USC’s Lincoln Riley Addresses Shocking Benching of Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane

MORE: UCLA Coach Tim Skipper Gets Real On Costly Penalties in Loss to USC 

There is already little space for at-large bids outside of the top eight teams. Is Notre Dame considered a guarantee to make the postseason? Regardless, the chances of bubble teams are already slim, but No. 12 Miami, No. 13 Vanderbilt, and No. 15 Utah will be eagerly awaiting the latest CFP rankings.

ohio state buckeyes ryan day michigan wolverines usc trojans lincoln riley ap top 25 poll rankings college football playoff
Nov 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) runs against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

For the Group of Five, No. 19 James Madison still leads the way in the AP Poll. However, the Dukes are not ranked by the CFP Selection Committee. No. 20 North Texas and No. 21 Tulane are set to face off in the American Conference Championship.

AP Top 25 Poll Prediction

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Georgia
4. Oregon
5. Ole Miss
6. Texas Tech
7. Texas A&M
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. BYU
12. Vanderbilt
13. Texas
14. Miami
15. Utah
16. Virginia
17. USC
18. James Madison
19. Michigan
20. North Texas
21. Tulane
22. Navy
23. Arizona
24. Tennessee
25. Iowa

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE USC TROJANS NEWS? SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!

Published | Modified
Charlie Viehl
CHARLIE VIEHL

Charlie Viehl is the deputy editor for the Oregon Ducks, Colorado Buffaloes, and USC Trojans on SI. He has written hundreds of articles for SI and has covered events like the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. While pursuing a career in sports journalism, he is also a lifelong musician, holding a degree in Music and Philosophy from Boston College. A native of Pasadena, California, he covered sports across Los Angeles while at Loyola High School and edited the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program’s magazine at BC. He is excited to bring his passion for storytelling and sports to fans of college athletics.

Home/Football