College Football: Alabama Rises, Texas Falls, Georgia Stumbles in New AP Poll

Nick Saban might have retired, but Alabama is back at No. 1.

After an incredible 41-34 win over Georgia, the Crimson Tide have reclaimed the top spot in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since October 2022. Alabama faced the Bulldogs in one of the biggest SEC games of the season on Saturday night and immediately made their defense look silly by taking a 28-0 lead over Georgia.

Georgia did come back, taking a 34-33 lead in the fourth quarter. However, Alabama came back thanks to a spinning 75-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Williams to re-take the lead and win the game.

The Crimson Tide are now 4-0 and ranked No. 1 overall for the first time in the Kalen DeBoer era.

Due to the loss, the Bulldogs have dropped to 3-1 and No. 5 in the poll. Georgia began the season at No. 1 but dropped to No. 2 after narrowly beating an unranked Kentucky team 13-12. Following the loss to Alabama, Georgia has dropped three more spots. With upcoming games against top opponents in Texas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee this season, Georgia will need to defeat some of these rivals to maintain a top-five spot in the poll.

With Alabama climbing back to the top spot, Texas dropped to No. 2 in the poll. The Longhorns are still undefeated at 5-0 after a 35-13 win over Mississippi State behind backup quarterback Arch Manning, but likely drop because Alabama earned a win over a top-five opponent. Texas has yet to face a tough opponent, but are about to face two ranked teams Oklahoma and Georgia over the next two weeks.

Ohio State was the only team to stay put in the top five, maintaining their spot at No. 3. Tennessee moved up one spot to No. 4.