The latest AP Top 25 College Football Poll has been released, and there's a lot to discuss. First off, since Texas A&M lost to Auburn, the Aggies have dropped from Bowl contention. But you know who hasn't? The UConn Huskies. That's right, the Huskies are bowl-eligible! No, they are not in the AP Top 25 Poll, but it is very exciting to see this team get back into bowl eligibility after going 10-40 from 2016 to 2021 (no season in 2021).
Alright, back to what you clicked on. This past weekend's slate of college football games saw upsets and blowouts, but it also saw the Pac-12 enact cannibalism on itself as both the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins lost, leaving the USC Trojans as the only hope for the Pac-12 to have a representative in the College Football Playoff. And with UCLA on the schedule next, that might be short-lived. We also saw a lot shake out in the Group of Five conferences, as the UCF Knights took down the Tulane Green Wave; and with the Liberty Flames losing Saturday, the Knights took the pole position for the New Year's Six at-large bid.
Biggest Jumps
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No. 15 Washington Huskies (Up 9 Spots)
The Washington Huskies are making a late-season run at a spot in the Pac-12 title game; and while it is a long shot, the Huskies are one of the hottest teams in the country.
No. 17 UCF Knights (Up 5 Spots)
The UCF Knights took down the Tulane Green Wave — and they take not only the top spot in the American Athletic Conference but also are the top team for the New Year's Six Bowl at-large bid.
No. 20 Florida State Seminoles (Up 5 Spots)
The Florida State Seminoles have been cruising during their three-game win streak, but let it be known that this team lost to three of the top four teams in the ACC earlier this year. So how good are they really?
Sharpest Falls
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No. 16 UCLA Bruins (Down 7 Spots)
The UCLA Bruins' shot at a Pac-12 title took a massive hit Saturday with their upset loss to the Arizona Wildcats.
No. 12 Oregon Ducks (Down 6 Spots)
Following their loss, the Oregon Ducks still have a good position in the Pac-12 standings to qualify for the conference title game, but they eliminated themselves from being able to reach the College Football Playoff.
No. 21 Tulane Green Wave (Down 5 Spots)
This is still a successful season for the Tulane Green Wave, and a win over the Cincinnati Bearcats in two weeks can set them up with a rematch with the UCF Knights in a winner-takes-all game for a New Year's Six Bowl at-large bid.
New to the Top 25
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No. 22 Cincinnati Bearcats
Last year's fourth seed in the College Football Playoff is back in the AP Top 25 and looking to make a run at the above-mentioned New Year's Six Bowl at-large bid.
No. 23 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
This is a reoccurring theme, but Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are also making a late-season leap for the coveted Group of Five New Year's Six Bowl at-large bid.
No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Following a rough stretch of games, the Oklahoma State Cowboys find themselves back in the AP Top 25 Poll with a slim chance of making the Big 12 title game.
No. 25 Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers left the AP Top 25 for a week and are back once again as they hope to keep the possibilities of a 10-win season alive.
Top 25 Dropouts
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NC State Wolfpack (Previously No. 17)
My preseason pick for champion of the ACC has tumbled out of the AP Top 25; and while injuries were a factor, this season is still very disappointing, especially when you add in Saturday's loss to Boston College.
Texas Longhorns (Previously No. 18)
The Texas Longhorns still have not gotten over the hump of being a good team on a consistent basis.
Liberty Flames (Previously No. 19)
The Liberty Flames were upset by the UConn Huskies, ending their run at — you guessed it — the Group of Five New Year's Six Bowl at-large bid.
Illinois Illini (Previously No. 21)
The Big Ten West is wild, and the Illini drop out of the AP Top 25 and out of the top spot in the Big Ten West division.
What to Watch for in Week 12
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- The unranked SMU Mustangs look to upset the Tulane Green Wave on the road Thursday night.
- The Michigan Wolverines hope to avoid an upset as they host a spiraling Illinois Illini team that mirrors the Wolverines' rushing attack and stingy defense.
- The Georgia Bulldogs look to remain undefeated as they go on the road to play a Kentucky Wildcats team that has had a disappointing season.
- The USC Trojans look to remain atop the Pac-12 conference as they take on the UCLA Bruins in their annual meeting.
- The Oregon Ducks look to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive as they host the Utah Utes, who are looking to do the same.
