There was a change atop the Associated Press college football poll again this week. The Alabama Crimson Tide, with their 49-26 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, jumped the Georgia Bulldogs and took the No. 1 spot for the second time this season. The biggest jump and surprise, however, is the Kansas Jayhawks.
For the first time in 13 years, the 5-0 Jayhawks are in the top 25. The Jayhawks come in at No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the coaches poll after their 14-11 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones. But that’s not the most surprising part, the Jayhawks (who will be hosting ESPN’s College GameDay for the first time ever next week) are also in first place in the Big 12 standings.
The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked in the AP Top 25. #KUfball comes in at No. 19.
It's the first time since 2009 that KU is ranked. https://t.co/ZtPaDDvGPk
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) October 2, 2022
A lot of people were disappointed that the Jayhawks didn’t make it into the top 25 last week, but the drought is over.
The rest of the top 25 looks like this:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Clemson
- USC
- Oklahoma State
- Tennessee
- Ole Miss
- Penn State
- Utah
- Oregon
- Kentucky
- NC State
- Wake Forest
- BYU
- TCU
- UCLA
- Kansas
- Kansas State
- Washington
- Syracuse
- Mississippi State
- Cincinnati
- LSU
The changes at the top are notable as well. The Tide started the season No. 1, but were jumped by the Bulldogs after they struggled to beat Texas in the second game of the season. Meanwhile, Georgia struggled Saturday to beat Missouri 26-22. That led to the Bulldogs dropping to No. 2. But still, Kansas at No. 19 is much more unusual than any move with Georgia and Alabama.
[Photo from Kansas’ win Saturday from William Purnell-USA Today Sports]