South Florida Bulls Break Into AP Top 25 for First Time Since 2018

The South Florida Bulls have made a significant mark in college football by entering the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2018. This achievement comes after the team secured back-to-back victories against ranked opponents, landing at the No. 18 spot in the latest rankings released on Sunday.

In a thrilling matchup, South Florida edged out then-No. 13 Florida with a last-second score, winning 18-16. The Bulls had previously dominated then-No. 25 Boise State, achieving a decisive 34-7 victory in their season opener. These performances have energized the team and its supporters, as South Florida aims to replicate the success of the 1987 Miami Hurricanes by defeating three consecutive ranked opponents to start the season. The next challenge awaits as the Bulls prepare to face the Hurricanes this Saturday.

The current AP poll remains led by Ohio State, which received 57 out of 65 first-place votes after a commanding 70-0 win against Grambling. Following Ohio State are Penn State and LSU, who both maintained their positions among the top three. Oregon made a notable leap to No. 4 after a stunning 69-3 victory over Oklahoma State, while Miami secured the No. 5 spot with a straightforward 45-3 win against Bethune-Cookman.

The Southeastern Conference continues to dominate the rankings, boasting a record 11 teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten follows with six teams represented. Georgia fell to No. 6 after a 28-6 win over Austin Peay, while Texas sits at No. 7 following their 38-7 victory over San Jose State. Notre Dame, at No. 8, had a bye week, and Illinois and Florida State round out the top ten.

South Carolina ranks at No. 11, with Clemson dropping four spots to No. 12 after narrowly securing a 27-16 victory against Troy, overcoming a 16-point deficit. Oklahoma holds the No. 13 spot, followed by Iowa State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss.

After South Florida, Alabama and Utah complete the top 20, while Texas Tech is ranked No. 21, followed by Indiana. Michigan saw a significant drop, falling eight spots to No. 23 after a 24-13 loss to Oklahoma. Auburn and Missouri entered the poll at the bottom, having secured wins over Ball State and Kansas, respectively.

Notably, Arizona State, Florida, and SMU fell out of the rankings following their respective losses. Arizona State lost in a close matchup against Mississippi State, conceding a long touchdown pass with just 30 seconds remaining, while SMU blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 48-45 in double overtime to Baylor.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on South Florida as they strive to maintain their momentum against formidable opponents and further solidify their place in collegiate football history.