USC’s Upset Over Ohio State Sends Shockwaves Through AP Top 25
A rain‑soaked victory by unranked USC over No. 2 Ohio State reshapes the college football rankings ahead of Sunday’s AP poll.
What a week! The college football landscape was turned upside down on Saturday as unranked USC stormed past No. 2 Ohio State in Los Angeles, a result that will force major revisions to the AP Top 25.
USC’s signature win
After falling out of the poll following a 17‑7 loss to Wisconsin, the Trojans answered critics with a dominant performance against the Buckeyes. The rain‑soaked contest saw USC seize an early lead and never look back, delivering Lincoln Riley his first victory over a top‑five opponent as a head coach.
The win catapults USC back into the Top 25, ending its brief absence from the rankings.
Ohio State’s slide
Ohio State’s loss drops the Buckeyes from the No. 2 spot. The defeat marks the team’s first game without injured quarterback Julian Sayin, and the reduced offensive output has voters reconsidering the Buckeyes’ placement among the elite.
Despite the setback, Ohio State remains a two‑loss team with conference wins over Indiana and Iowa, suggesting the drop will not be drastic.
Other top‑five contenders
Miami stays at No. 1 after a 38‑35 win highlighted by Malachi Toney’s seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia holds at No. 3, buoyed by a solid defensive showing and a victory over Florida, while Notre Dame remains at No. 5 following a 35‑13 win over Navy.
Utah, UCLA and Indiana occupy the next spots, each bolstered by recent victories and defensive strengths.
Potential new faces
With SMU, Northwestern, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin all suffering losses, the door opens for additional teams to break into the Top 25 after Week 9.
Stay tuned for the official AP poll on Sunday, which will reflect these dramatic shifts.
