Alabama Misery is Texas Joy: Longhorns Reclaim Top Spot in AP Poll

The Texas Longhorns are back atop the college football world this week, reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 rankings after a chaotic weekend of upsets. Vanderbilt delivered the biggest shock, upsetting the then-No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide with a thrilling 40-35 victory, shaking up the top of the poll and leaving Alabama tumbling six spots to No. 7.

For Texas, it’s a return to familiar territory. The Longhorns had held the No. 1 ranking for two consecutive weeks earlier in the season before being surpassed by Alabama following the Tide’s epic win over the Georgia Bulldogs. With Alabama’s loss, the Longhorns have climbed back to the top.

The shakeup didn’t end with Alabama. The Tennessee Volunteers, also among the top teams, were upset by Arkansas 19-14, causing them to drop four spots to No. 8. Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines and Missouri Tigers both suffered losses on Saturday, falling dramatically—Michigan dropped 12 spots, while Missouri plummeted 14.

Newcomers to the AP Top 25 this week include the SMU Mustangs and the Pitt Panthers, making their first appearances in the rankings this season.

In the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Longhorns held strong at No. 1, maintaining their top spot for another week amidst the upheaval in the AP rankings. For Texas fans, Alabama’s misery is indeed their joy as the season heads toward its final stretch.