AP Top 25: Georgia No. 1, Ohio State displaces Michigan at No. 2
Ohio State passed Michigan and moved up to No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll Sunday, a week before the Big Ten rivals play another top-five matchup, and No. 4 Washington flip-flopped with No. 5 Florida State.
Georgia remained No. 1 and received a season-high 61 first-place votes. The Bulldogs have been atop the rankings for 23 straight weeks, the second-best streak in the history of the poll and 10 behind the record held by USC (2003-05).
The top five teams, all unbeaten, had held their places for five straight weeks.All improved to 11-0 on Saturday, but their order changed Sunday.
Michigan, now No. 3, had been No. 2 since the preseason but slipped a spot after playing its closest game yet. The Wolverines, without suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh, beat Maryland 31-24.
The Buckeyes received one first-place vote after blowing out Minnesota.
Washington won 22-20 on the road against Oregon State, which slipped five spots to No. 15, and moved up a spot.
Florida State dropped a spot after beating FCS NorthAlabama 58-13, but it suffered a far more significant loss. Quarterback Jordan Travis was carted off the field in the first quarter with what appeared to be a serious injury to his lower left leg.
No. 6 Oregon, No. 7 Texas, No. 8Alabama and No. 9 Louisville all held their spots after
victories, and Missouri moved up to No. 10.
Apple Cup to continue
Washington and Washington State have agreed in principle to a five-year extension of the Apple Cup, ensuring the in-state rivalry will continue through at least 2028.
The schools announced the agreement on Sunday, six days before playing for the final time with both members of the Pac-12 Conference. There was uncertainty whether the game would continue, with Washington moving to the Big Ten starting next season and
Washington State yet to find a permanent home for its athletic programs.
Washington will host the Cougars on Saturday in Seattle. The Huskies (11-0, 8-0) will be
trying to close out their first perfect regular season since 1991 while the Cougars (5-6, 2-6) need a win for bowl eligibility.
“For more than a century, fans across the state have been circling the Apple Cup date on their calendars. We are pleased that we will be able to continue this beloved tradition for future generations of Coug fans,” Washington State President Kirk Schulz said.
Next year’s game will be played on Sept. 14 at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. After that, the matchup will return to the home campuses.
Syracuse cans Babers
Syracuse fired coach Dino Babers on Sunday after eight years with the Orange that included just two bowl appearances.
Babers was 41-55 overall and 20-45 in theAtlantic Coast Conference, including a breakout season in 2018 when the Orange went 10-3 and finished No. 15 in theAP Top 25. He could never replicate that success, managing only a 7-6 record in 2022, his other winning season.
The 62-year-old Babers had only one season left on his contract.
The Orange (5-6) lost 31-22 Saturday at Georgia Tech and need a victory this week against Wake Forest to get to six wins and bowl eligibility.