With only Monday night's game left to play, the college football landscape has been radically altered by stunning upsets and statement wins, setting the stage for a major poll recalibration.
The Biggest Story: Alabama's Stunning Fall
The most seismic result was in Tallahassee, where the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide, under second-year coach Kalen DeBoer, were thoroughly handled 31-17 by an unranked Florida State team. This loss, following a trend from DeBoer's first year, will undoubtedly see the Tide plummet out of the top 15, if not the top 20 entirely. Conversely, Mike Norvell's Seminoles, after a dismal 2024, will rocket into the rankings, potentially landing in the top 15.
The New No. 1 Debate
The prime contender for the top spot is the Ohio State Buckeyes. In a mammoth early-season showdown, the Buckeyes secured a statement victory over the No. 1 Texas Longhorns. While the final score was close, the win on the road against the defending national champions provides a powerful argument for Ryan Day's team to claim the No. 1 ranking. Texas will likely fall, but only a few spots, perhaps to No. 4 or 5.
Other Major Movers
- Ole Miss (Prev. No. 6): The Rebels looked dominant in their opener and, with Alabama's loss, are poised to jump into the top 5.
- Notre Dame (Prev. No. 11): A convincing win will see the Fighting Irish benefit from the chaos above them, likely cracking the top 10.
- Florida State (Unranked): The biggest winner of the weekend, FSU will make a monumental leap into the rankings and could be this week's highest-ranked newcomer.
- Teams on the Rise: Look for teams like Clemson, Tennessee, and Miami to make significant gains after impressive Week 1 victories.
Looking Ahead to the Official Poll
While the final poll will be released after Monday's game, the core of the new Top 25 is already set. The debate for No. 1 between Ohio State and other contenders like Georgia (who won comfortably) will be the headline, but the complete reshuffling of the top 10 marks one of the most volatile first weeks in recent memory. The 2025 season has announced itself with chaos, and the new rankings will reflect that new world order.