As we hit mid-October 2025, college football is delivering non-stop drama. The latest AP Top 25 rankings, released on October 12, showcase a whirlwind Week 7 that saw eight ranked teams fall, including three undefeated squads. Indiana’s historic surge to No. 3 headlines the shakeup, while Texas and USC claw their way back into the poll. With the College Football Playoff race heating up, these standings could make or break seasons.
Whether you’re a die-hard Buckeye fan or tracking the underdogs, this breakdown of the US Top 25 college football rankings October 2025 has you covered. We’ll dive into the full list, spotlight the biggest movers, preview Week 8 matchups, and explore CFP implications. Let’s kick off!
The Full AP Top 25 College Football Rankings: October 12, 2025
Here’s the official Associated Press poll for Week 8, complete with records, points, first-place votes, and previous rankings. Five teams remain undefeated in the top 10, but chaos looms with cross-conference clashes on the horizon.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | 1st-Place Votes | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 6-0 | 1631 | 50 | 1 |
| 2 | Miami (FL) | 5-0 | 1582 | 13 | 2 |
| 3 | Indiana | 6-0 | 1531 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 6-0 | 1433 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Ole Miss | 6-0 | 1331 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Alabama | 5-1 | 1315 | 0 | 8 |
| 7 | Texas Tech | 6-0 | 1266 | 0 | 9 |
| 8 | Oregon | 5-1 | 1175 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Georgia | 5-1 | 1148 | 0 | 10 |
| 10 | LSU | 5-1 | 1012 | 0 | 11 |
| 11 | Tennessee | 5-1 | 939 | 0 | 12 |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | 6-0 | 904 | 0 | 13 |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 4-2 | 793 | 0 | 16 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 5-1 | 786 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | BYU | 6-0 | 655 | 0 | 18 |
| 16 | Missouri | 5-1 | 649 | 0 | 14 |
| 17 | Vanderbilt | 5-1 | 547 | 0 | 20 |
| 18 | Virginia | 5-1 | 521 | 0 | 19 |
| 19 | South Florida | 5-1 | 398 | 0 | 24 |
| 20 | USC | 5-1 | 361 | 0 | NR |
| 21 | Texas | 4-2 | 319 | 0 | NR |
| 22 | Memphis | 6-0 | 285 | 0 | 23 |
| 23 | Utah | 5-1 | 261 | 0 | NR |
| 24 | Cincinnati | 5-1 | 184 | 0 | NR |
| 25 | Nebraska | 5-1 | 149 | 0 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Illinois (113), Michigan (73), Washington (36), UNLV (30), Navy (11), Mississippi State (8), Tulane (2), San Diego State (2). NR = Not Ranked.
Biggest Movers in the October 2025 College Football Rankings
Week 7 was a bloodbath—think Oregon’s shocking home loss to Indiana and Oklahoma’s stumble against Texas Tech. Here’s who climbed, tumbled, and rebounded:
Indiana Hoosiers: The Cinderella Story at No. 3
The Hoosiers vaulted four spots to their highest ranking ever after a gritty 30-20 road win at No. 3 Oregon. Under coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana (6-0) has defied odds with a transfer-heavy roster and suffocating defense. Their first top-five road victory? Historic. Can they sustain this in the Big Ten gauntlet?
Texas Longhorns Re-Enter at No. 21
After dropping out last week following a slip-up, Texas (4-2) roared back with a dominant 45-10 thumping of Oklahoma. QB Quinn Ewers looks locked in—expect the Horns to climb fast if they handle Kansas State this weekend.
USC Trojans Back in at No. 20
The Trojans (5-1) survived a scare at Notre Dame but edged back in after other contenders faltered. Their high-octane offense could push them higher, but defense remains a question mark.
Notable Drops: Oregon to No. 8, Oklahoma to No. 14
Oregon’s first loss exposed vulnerabilities, dropping them five spots despite a strong overall resume. Oklahoma’s 34-27 defeat to Texas Tech sent shockwaves, as the Sooners’ SEC dreams take a hit early.
Key Week 8 Matchups to Watch in College Football
With six undefeated teams in the top 12, Week 8 (October 18-19) could reshape the top 25 college football rankings October 2025 even more. Circle these:
- No. 10 LSU at No. 17 Vanderbilt (12 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Tigers’ road test against a surging Vandy could confirm their top-10 status—or expose cracks.
- No. 12 Georgia Tech at Duke (12 p.m. ET, ACC Network): Undefeated Tech looks to stay perfect in a tricky ACC tilt.
- No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 20 USC? Wait, no—Aggies host South Carolina (unranked), but watch for Ole Miss at LSU later? Actually, prime time: No. 5 Ole Miss at No. 10 LSU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)—a SEC slugfest with playoff stakes.
- No. 1 Ohio State vs. Nebraska (8 p.m. ET, NBC): The Buckeyes aim to stay flawless against a resurgent Cornhuskers squad cracking the top 25.
These games aren’t just for rankings—they’re resume-builders for the expanded 12-team CFP.
CFP Implications: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
As of October 2025, the top five (Ohio State, Miami, Indiana, Texas A&M, Ole Miss) hold strong CFP seeds, but the middle pack is wide open. Indiana’s leap puts the Big Ten on notice, while the SEC’s depth (five in top 11) screams conference dominance. ACC’s Miami clings to No. 2, but Oregon’s slip hurts their case.
Projections: Ohio State locks a first-round bye. Watch Indiana and Texas A&M for at-large bids if they go 10-2. Upset specials? BYU (No. 15) could crash the party with another flawless week.
Final Thoughts: The 2025 Season Is Unpredictable—And That’s Why We Love It
The US top 25 college football rankings October 2025 remind us why this sport captivates: parity, upsets, and underdogs like Indiana stealing the show. With Week 8 looming, one thing’s clear—the road to the CFP is littered with pitfalls.
Rankings courtesy of the Associated Press. All stats and insights based on Week 7 results as of October 12, 2025.
