3 biggest takeaways from new AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 1
· Yahoo Sports
Following an action-packed week of college football, the latest AP Top 25 poll came out on Tuesday. The Michigan Wolverines fell out of the top 25 and the Virginia Cavaliers found themselves in.
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With the latest poll out, here are three takeaways heading into Week 2.
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Voters spoke strongly about Michigan’s win
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Western Michigan during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The Michigan Wolverines are 1-0, but the win wasn’t pretty and it’s noted. Kyle Whittingham’s program entered the week ranked No. 16 in the country, but Michigan needed an additional second to be placed on the play clock in order to beat Western Michigan, 13-12.
Chaos has been surrounding Ann Arbor and the Wolverines have a big test against Oklahoma in Week 2. But it’s clear that the voters didn’t respect Michigan’s win over WMU and the Wolverines are going to have to earn their respect back.
Figuring out a way to get QB Bryce Underwood going would be a step in the right direction.
LSU is the biggest riser
While the Wolverines were the biggest faller and had the least impressive win, the LSU Tigers had the most impressive win. The Tigers took down Clemson 51-10 and the voters raised LSU three spots to No. 8 entering Week 2.
Lane Kiffin’s program continues to be in the news — all for the wrong reasons — but that didn’t stop his team from crushing Dabo Swinney’s. In fact, Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt appears to be a perfect match for Kiffin at the QB position and that’s going to make the Tigers a tough out.
Right now, there is talk regarding kicking LSU out of the SEC, but until that would happen — it likely won’t — LSU might be the team to beat in the conference.
Oregon is on notice
Receiver Phillip Wright 15, LSU Tigers take on the Clemson Tigers. September 5, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Oregon was the No. 2 ranked team in the nation entering Week 1, but a 34-27 win over Boise State dropped the Ducks to No. 6.
Dan Lanning’s team was a 24.5-point favorite over Boise State and the Broncos had every opportunity to pull off the upset. Boise State is a very good team and one that could make the College Football Playoff this season as the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six, but if the Ducks are going to win the national title, they have to play better.
Oregon found itself tied with Boise State with 8:45 left in the game. But a late TD pass from Dante Moore put the Ducks on top.
The Ducks still have the talent to win a national title, but they are on notice and they need to look better as a team.
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