Texas climbed two spots to No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll after beating Missouri 34-20 on the road Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia. The Longhorns’ win pushed the Tigers out of the rankings entirely, reflecting a shift in the competitive landscape of college football this week.
The Longhorns showed resilience and teamwork throughout the game, with tight end Emaree Winston making a notable play in the second quarter, leaping over Missouri safety Kensley Louidor-Faustin while carrying the ball. Head coach Steve Sarkisian guided Texas through a challenging away fixture, demonstrating the team’s ability to win tough road games.
The AP poll released Sunday reflects significant movement beyond Texas’s rise. Previously top-ranked Miami lost its first game of the season to then-No. 11 Notre Dame, which jumped to No. 3 in the rankings. Miami dropped to No. 5, while Georgia took the No. 1 spot after maintaining an 8-1 record. UCLA and Utah remain the only undefeated teams in the nation, both standing at 9-0, with Utah ranked No. 2 and UCLA at No. 4.
Other teams experienced notable changes as well. Kentucky fell from No. 6 to No. 13 after a loss to Tennessee, who now sit at No. 9. Ohio State dropped from No. 12 to No. 21 after losing to unranked Oregon. LSU, who Texas will face next week in Baton Rouge, slipped nine spots to No. 24 following a defeat to Alabama.
Texas’s next game against No. 24 LSU will test the Longhorns’ ability to maintain their momentum on the road. LSU’s recent drop in the rankings shows they are vulnerable despite their top-25 status. Texas will aim to extend its winning streak and solidify its spot in the upper tier of college football.
The full Top 25 AP poll heading into Week 11 includes Georgia at No. 1 with an 8-1 record, followed by Utah, Notre Dame, UCLA, Miami, Indiana, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and Texas Tech rounding out the top 10. Other teams receiving votes include Missouri with 50 points, indicating the Tigers remain on the cusp of returning to the rankings.
Texas’s climb comes amid a week of surprising results and shifting fortunes for several programs. The Longhorns’ ability to secure a road victory and rise in the rankings adds pressure on their upcoming matchup with LSU and sets a higher bar for their remaining games this season.
According to Yahoo Sports.