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Georgia has reclaimed the top spot in the AP Poll Top 25, climbing to No. 1 for the first time since 2024 after surviving a tense 20-17 road victory over Alabama. The Bulldogs’ rise was also helped by Texas’ defeat to Oklahoma in the latest Red River Rivalry showdown, reshuffling the national college football landscape.

The latest rankings reflect a turbulent Week 6, with several teams making significant moves and others tumbling after costly defeats. UCLA and Kentucky emerged as two of the week’s biggest climbers, while Oregon and Florida fell out of the poll entirely.

Georgia Returns to the Summit of the AP Poll Top 25

Georgia, now 6-0 overall and 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play, earned the No. 1 ranking after defeating Alabama, which dropped to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. The narrow victory underscored the Bulldogs’ ability to survive a heavyweight contest, while Texas’ upset loss to Oklahoma further opened the door for Georgia to take control of the rankings.

The outcome gives Georgia renewed momentum as the 2026 college football season moves into Week 7, with conference competition intensifying and every setback carrying greater consequences.

UCLA and Kentucky Make Major Moves

UCLA delivered one of the weekend’s most striking performances, climbing to No. 12 after forcing seven turnovers in an upset victory over Oregon. The Bruins’ defensive pressure helped transform a difficult matchup into a statement win, sending their ranking sharply upward.

Kentucky also made headlines, returning to the AP Poll at No. 15 following another dramatic finish. The Wildcats edged LSU 35-34 in overtime, sealing the victory with a successful two-point conversion.

LSU, meanwhile, suffered a steep fall from No. 10 to No. 22 after the defeat. Oregon and Florida dropped out of the Top 25, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change in a season where one weekend can redraw the national picture.

Tennessee Prepares for Alabama Showdown

Tennessee enters Week 7 ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll Top 25, setting the stage for a major test against Alabama. The Volunteers, who are 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, will host the Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT, with the game set to air on ABC. Alabama will arrive looking to recover from its loss to Georgia, while Tennessee will try to turn its latest victory into momentum against another formidable conference opponent.

The Volunteers defeated Arkansas 24-17 in Fayetteville during Week 6. The Razorbacks fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in SEC competition, while Tennessee secured a road win that kept its season moving in the right direction.

Heupel Praises Tennessee’s Finish

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel expressed pride in his players after the victory but acknowledged that the team still has areas to improve.

“Proud of our team,” Heupel said after the win over Arkansas. He noted that winning in Fayetteville had been a long time coming and said he had expected a contest that would last all four quarters.

Heupel also pointed to stretches in the middle of the game when Tennessee needed to perform better, while praising the way his team closed out the contest during the final quarter and beyond.

AP and Coaches Polls Both Place Tennessee at No. 14

Tennessee holds the No. 14 position in both the AP Poll Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll ahead of its meeting with Alabama. The agreement between the two rankings places the Volunteers firmly inside the national Top 25, but their next challenge offers little room for complacency.

With Georgia back at No. 1, Kentucky returning to the rankings and multiple teams changing positions, the latest AP Poll underscores the volatility of the 2026 campaign. Week 7 now brings another pivotal round of matchups, led by Tennessee’s home clash with Alabama, as teams look to strengthen their standing before the season advances further.