After a weekend of surprise results, the Bulldogs have retaken the No. 1 slot in the latest college‑football poll.
Key points
- Georgia’s consistency keeps it at the top despite a recent loss, according to the Fox Sports poll.
- UCLA and Utah remain unbeaten but are still ranked outside the top ten.
- Mid‑major programs such as New Mexico, Wake Forest, and Boise State have broken into the top‑25, highlighting the season’s volatility.
- Several traditional powerhouses, including LSU and Ohio State, have fallen in the rankings after recent defeats.
According to Fox Sports, the latest week‑10 poll once again crowns the Georgia Bulldogs as the nation’s top team, a position the author RJ Young describes as “the team no one wants to play.” The ranking comes after Georgia’s dominant run through Ole Miss and a narrow loss to Auburn that, in Young’s view, does not diminish the Bulldogs’ overall strength.
The same poll underscores how chaotic the season has become. A hard‑fought battle between Notre Dame and Miami ended with the Irish edging out the Hurricanes, while Ole Miss suffered a 42‑7 drubbing at Georgia’s hands, marking its worst home loss while ranked in the AP top‑15. These upsets have reshuffled the landscape and forced several traditional powers to reassess their playoff chances.
Georgia Returns to No. 1
UCLA and Utah remain the only unbeaten Power Five programs at 9‑0, but the poll’s author questions whether either can dethrone Georgia, noting that Georgia’s victories over Ole Miss and Alabama are “better than Utah’s wins against Houston and BYU.” Both schools sit just outside the top ten, reflecting the tight competition among elite teams.
Mid‑major programs made notable jumps. New Mexico, now 8‑1, entered the rankings at No. 22 and leads the FBS in scoring defense, while Wake Forest (8‑1) and Boise State (8‑1) moved into the top‑25 at No. 21 and No. 20 respectively, buoyed by high‑scoring performances and strong defensive showings.
Mid‑Major Teams Surge
Traditional powerhouses slipped. LSU fell to No. 19 after a 31‑13 loss to Alabama, and Ohio State dropped to No. 16 following a 41‑28 defeat by Oregon, marking the Buckeyes’ first back‑to‑back double‑digit losses since 2004. Both teams now face a narrow path to the College Football Playoff.
Looking ahead, the poll hints at a crowded race for the remaining CFP spots, with teams like South Carolina, SMU, and BYU hovering near the bubble and needing strong finishes to stay in contention.
Reader questions
Why did Georgia move back to No. 1 in the latest poll?
The Fox Sports author argues that Georgia’s dominant wins over Ole Miss and Alabama outweigh its loss to Auburn, and the team’s overall performance remains stronger than that of other unbeaten programs.
Which teams entered the top‑25 for the first time this week?
New Mexico made its debut at No. 22 after a 31‑3 victory over Nevada, while Wake Forest and Boise State also climbed into the top‑25 at No. 21 and No. 20 respectively.
Source: foxsports.com
