Oregon surged into the top 5, igniting the AP Poll. Their decisive victory over USC reshaped the rankings, proving their championship contender status.
The latest AP Top 25 rankings were released with not much shakeup in the top 15, and the same teams remaining in the top 12 with some big wins moving the standings a bit. The top 4 had no changes. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 42-9 handily, the Indiana Hoosiers enjoyed a bye week, the Texas A&M Aggies were on cruise control in a 48-0 win over the Samford Bulldogs, and the Georgia Bulldogs steamrolled the Charlotte 49ers 35-3.
At least the Buckeyes played a Big Ten opponent, albeit one with a 5-6 overall record and 2-6 in conference play. It wasn’t an all too exciting Week 14 for the top 4, with the Aggies beating an FCS opponent and the Bulldogs beating a 1-10, 0-7 in American FBS opponent who would likely lose to an FCS school at this rate. But wins are wins – the more exciting ones came a bit further down the list.
The first statement win came by the Oregon Ducks with a 42-27 victory over the USC Trojans. The Ducks were the only team in the top 12 to move up in standings. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Missouri Tigers 17-6.
Here is the Week 14 Associated Press poll for Sunday, Nov. 16. Ohio State got 58 of the 66 first-place votes. Indiana received seven votes, and Texas A&M got one vote.
- 1. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 in Big Ten)
- 2. Indiana Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0 in Big Ten)
- 3. Texas A&M Aggies (11-0, 7-0 in SEC)
- 4. Georgia Bulldogs (10-1, 7-1 in SEC)
- 5. Oregon Ducks (10-1, 7-1 in Big Ten)
- 6. Ole Miss Rebels (10-1, 6-1 in SEC)
- 7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-1, 7-1 in SEC)
- 8. Oklahoma Sooners (9-2, 5-2 in SEC)
- 9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-2)
- 10. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2, 6-1 in SEC)
- 11. BYU Cougars (10-1, 7-1 in Big 12)
- 12. Vanderbilt Commodores (9-2, 5-2 in SEC)
- 13. Miami Hurricanes (Fla.) (9-2, 5-2, 5-2 in ACC)
- 14. Utah Utes (9-2, 6-2 in Big 12)
- 15. Michigan Wolverines (9-2, 7-1 in Big Ten)
- 16. Texas Longhorns (8-3, 5-2 in SEC)
- 17. Virginia Cavaliers (9-2, 6-1 in ACC)
- 18. Tennessee Volunteers (8-3, 4-3 in SEC)
- 19. USC Trojans (8-3 in Big Ten)
- 20. James Madison Dukes (10-1, 7-0 in Sun Belt)
- 21. North Texas Mean Green (10-1, 6-1 in American)
- 22. Tulane Green Wave (9-2, 6-1 in American)
- 23. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-2, 6-2 in ACC)
- 24. Pittsburgh Panthers (8-3, 6-1 in ACC)
- 25. SMU Mustangs (8-3, 6-1 in ACC)
Others receiving votes: Arizona State Sun Devils (77), Navy Midshipmen (44), Missouri Tigers (23), Arizona Wildcats (20), San Diego State Aztecs (19), Washington Huskies (16), Iowa Hawkeyes (10), UNLV Rebels (7), South Florida Bulls (4), UConn Huskies (3), Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2), Illinois Fighting Illini (1).
Dropped from rankings: Missouri Tigers 23, Houston Cougars 25
The Pittsburgh Panthers moved into the rankings with their 42-28 ranked win over the Yellowjackets, and the SMU Mustangs were the second new team with their 38-6 win over the Louisville Cardinals.
The Group of Five saw the James Madison Dukes beat the Washington State Cougars 24-20 and move up one spot, as did the North Texas Mean Green who defeated the Rice Owls 56-24. The Tulane Green Wave jumped two spots with their 37-13 win over the Temple Owls.