Early season movement adds more Big 12 representation to Top 25
In a wild and crazy week filled with upsets, the AP Top 25 saw the first mass shakeup in the rankings, with four new teams making their first appearance in the rankings on the season.
The SEC maintained their stranglehold in the top two spots, garnering 68 of 70 votes in this week’s poll (Miami and Indiana each holding on to one vote apiece). Ten SEC teams stay in the rankings, with Kentucky replacing Texas A&M much to the chagrin of Sun Devil fans. The Big Ten dropped down to six teams in this week’s rankings, followed by five members of the Big 12, two ACC representatives, one independent in Notre Dame, and the first Group of Six representative as Boise State jumps up to No. 22.
More on the Big 12 teams, idle BYU fell victim to Florida’s dominant win over Ole Miss, sliding down to No. 10 as the Gators jumped all the way to No. 8, and the Rebels barely edging out the Cougars by 11 points to sneak in to No. 9. Similarly, Texas Tech was penalized in a winning effort as the Red Raiders fell to No. 12 in the rankings. Utah saw their stock rise after a road win at Iowa State, and Houston climbed 5 spots to No. 20 after a strong win against Georgia Southern.
The talk of the conference is Oklahoma State. Showing that their upset win against Oregon was no fluke, the Cowboys rode in to Morgantown and left no doubt in their performance with a 17-point win over West Virginia. Cincinnati joined the conversation by receiving 20 vote points, while Arizona held on with 8 points of their own.
The Sun Devils will have their work cut out for them in a conference that is looking to make noise as more than a single CFP bid league this season. Anything is possible in the wild landscape of the Big 12 as Arizona State has key road matchups against leaders BYU and Texas Tech looming with the calendar turning to October.
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