UCLA enters top five of AP poll for first time since 2001

UCLA is ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2001. The Bruins moved up in the rankings after defeating Nevada 27-0 on Saturday. That victory improved their record to 8-0.

The jump to No. 5 marks the highest placement for the program in 25 years. UCLA last held a top five ranking in 2001 when it sat at No. 4. First-year coach Bob Chesney has guided the team to its first 8-0 start since 2005. The win over Nevada was a shutout, the first conference game of the season for the Bruins.

The poll was released Sunday in New York. It marked the first time since 2021 that Ohio State fell out of the top 10. The Buckeyes dropped from No. 2 to No. 11 after losing 30-18 at USC. This was the fourth consecutive week that the top ranked team lost to an unranked opponent. Ohio State had remained in the top 10 for 86 consecutive polls before this drop.

USC re-entered the poll at No. 18. The Trojans upset No. 2 Ohio State in a game that coach Lincoln Riley described as their biggest win in years. The victory keeps USC in the playoff hunt. The Trojans had been out of the rankings previously but returned after the win.

Miami remained at No. 1 for the third straight week. The Hurricanes beat North Carolina 38-35. Georgia moved up to No. 2, while Utah and Notre Dame hold Nos. 3 and 4. Indiana is No. 6, BYU is No. 7, and Kentucky is No. 8. Alabama and Texas round out the top 10.

New Mexico earned its first ever AP ranking at No. 22. The Lobos beat San José State 21-16. This is the first time the program has been ranked since it started playing football in 1892. The win gives New Mexico a 7-1 record, its best start since 1982.

Iowa is No. 21 after a 30-0 win over Wisconsin. South Carolina is No. 23 after winning three straight games. The full top 10 consists of Miami, Georgia, Utah, Notre Dame, UCLA, Indiana, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama, and Texas. The next poll will be released after the weekend games are played.