Ohio State University secured the top spot in the final Associated Press Top 25 college football poll of the season after clinching their first national championship since 2014 by defeating Notre Dame. The Buckeyes, with a record of 14-2, received every first-place vote, showcasing their dominance throughout the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame, with a 14-2 record, finished at No. 2, marking their highest end-of-season ranking since 1993. Oregon, previously holding the No. 1 position in eight consecutive polls, landed at No. 3 after losing to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal.
Other notable teams in the top five included Texas and Penn State, both with 13-3 records, who reached the semifinals. This season marked the first time the Big Ten had three teams in the final top five.
Georgia, Arizona State, Boise State, Tennessee, and Indiana rounded out the top 10 in the rankings. Mississippi and BYU secured spots ahead of playoff teams from the ACC, SMU, and Clemson.
Alabama experienced the most significant drop in the rankings, falling six spots to No. 17 after losing two of their last three games. Ohio State, despite a mid-season loss, surged to No. 1 following impressive playoff victories.
The Buckeyes claimed their sixth AP national championship, adding to their previous titles in 1942, 1954, 1968, 2002, and 2014. Notable movements in the final poll included Mississippi and Illinois jumping five spots each.
The SEC led with seven teams in the Top 25, followed by the Big Ten with five teams. The ACC, Big 12, AAC, and Mountain West also had multiple representatives in the rankings.
Arizona State achieved its highest final ranking since 1996, while Boise State finished in the top 10 for the first time since 2011. UNLV made its debut in the end-of-season rankings after matching its school record for wins.
The final poll saw no teams from the previous ranking being voted out of the Top 25, highlighting the consistency of the top-performing teams throughout the season.
For more updates and alerts on the AP Top 25 college football poll, visit AP Top 25 College Football Poll and College Football.
