Florida rose 13 spots to No. 8 in The Associated Press college football poll released on Sunday, following a 24-point victory over then-No. 4 Mississippi. Texas, Georgia, and Notre Dame maintained the top three positions, while seven ranked teams lost and four dropped out of the Top 25.
The Gators' rise to No. 8 marks their first appearance in the top 10 since 2021 and their highest ranking since 2020. Under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, Florida defeated Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The move is the largest jump in the poll since LSU moved 14 spots in September 2018.
Texas retained No. 1 with 62 first-place votes after a 20-17 win against Tennessee. Georgia received six first-place votes, doubling its count from the previous week, while Miami and Indiana each received one. Boise State entered the rankings at No. 22, becoming the first Group of Six team to crack the Top 25 this season. Penn State, previously No. 13, fell out of the rankings after a home loss to Wisconsin, joined by Michigan, Louisville, and Texas A&M as teams dropping from the list.
The SEC currently leads all conferences with 10 ranked teams. Alabama made its 300th consecutive appearance in the Top 25, the longest active streak in the nation. The Big 12 has five ranked teams—BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, Oklahoma State, and Houston—the most for the conference since Oct. 26, 2025.
Several games featuring ranked opponents are scheduled for the coming week. No. 5 Ohio State will travel to No. 14 Iowa, and No. 8 Florida will face No. 25 Missouri. Additionally, No. 7 Alabama is scheduled to play at No. 16 Mississippi State.