College football's national rankings shifted significantly this week after seven ranked teams lost, according to the Associated Press. Florida surged in both the AP Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll, with Fox News reporting the Gators jumped 13 spots to No. 8 after beating Ole Miss.
Mississippi, USC and Missouri were among the teams that fell in the rankings, according to Fox News. The Associated Press reported Mississippi was likely to drop out of the top five in the new poll.
In other movement, Deseret News reported Utah rose two spots to No. 13 in the AP poll following a 31-17 win at Iowa State, while BYU fell one spot to No. 10 after a bye week. BYU remained the highest-ranked Big 12 team, ahead of Texas Tech at No. 12 and Houston at No. 20, according to Deseret News.
Missouri's ranking drew scrutiny, with Fox News describing it as fueling a debate over bias toward the Southeastern Conference.
How each side covered it
Left
- USA Today reported Florida surging in the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25.
- The Associated Press reported Mississippi was likely to fall out of the top five after seven ranked teams lost.
“Mississippi likely out of top 5 in new AP Top 25; big shuffle on tap after 7 ranked teams lose” — Associated Press
Center
- Yahoo Sports described new teams earning spots on AP Top 25 ballots as established programs continued to slip.
“Out with the old, in with the new” — Yahoo Sports
Right
- Fox News reported Florida rose 13 spots to No. 8 after beating Ole Miss.
- Fox News said Missouri's ranking fueled debate over SEC bias, while USC tumbled.
- Deseret News reported Utah rose two spots to No. 13 after beating Iowa State 31-17.
- Deseret News reported BYU fell one spot to No. 10 but remained the top Big 12 team, ahead of Texas Tech and Houston.
“Florida Gators, Mississippi State soar, USC tumbles in latest inexplicable AP Top 25 Poll” — Fox News
Questions readers ask
What happened in this week's college football rankings?
Seven ranked teams lost, causing a major shakeup in both the AP Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll. Florida surged into the top 10 while Mississippi, USC and Missouri fell, according to the Associated Press and Fox News.
Why did Florida's ranking rise so much?
According to Fox News, the Florida Gators jumped 13 spots to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 after defeating Ole Miss.
How did Utah and BYU fare in the rankings?
Deseret News reported Utah climbed two spots to No. 13 after a 31-17 win at Iowa State, while BYU dropped one spot to No. 10 during a bye week.
What did left-, center- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the overall poll shuffle and Florida's rise, center outlets focused on new teams entering the rankings, and right-leaning outlets highlighted Florida's surge, Missouri's contested ranking, and Utah and BYU's positions.
Is there disagreement over any team's ranking?
Fox News reported that Missouri's ranking fueled a debate over perceived bias toward the Southeastern Conference, though other outlets did not address this specific claim.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningMississippi likely out of top 5 in new AP Top 25; big shuffle on tap after 7 ranked teams lose
- Los Angeles TimesLeft-leaningUCLA joins USC in AP top 25, Florida rides win over Ole Miss to No. 8 ranking
- USA TodayLeft-leaning2026-27US LBM Coaches Poll
- Yahoo SportsCenterProjecting the AP Top 10 heading into Week 5 of college football
- Deseret NewsRight-leaningWhere BYU and Utah landed in Week 3’s AP top 25 poll
- Fox NewsRight-leaningFlorida Gators, Mississippi State soar, USC tumbles in latest inexplicable AP Top 25 Poll