Miami Holds No. 1 as BYU Drops to No. 8 in AP Top 25 Shakeup

Q: How will BYU’s shocking double-overtime collapse reshape the chaotic race for a College Football Playoff spot?

BYU’s loss did not end its playoff hopes, but it dramatically reduced its margin for error and made the Big 12’s path far messier. The immediate effect is on perception and positioning. BYU fell from No. 2 to No. 8 after losing 39-31 in double overtime at UCF, and the nature of the defeat matters: the Cougars were unbeaten, coming off a statement win over Notre Dame, then unraveled with penalties, missed assignments and late-game mistakes against an unranked team. That kind of loss is survivable in a 12-team field, but it usually removes any cushion. BYU now likely needs a strong finish and may need to reach, if not win, the Big 12 title game. The bigger shift is conference-wide. With BYU and Texas Tech both losing in the same week, the Big 12’s case for multiple CFP bids took a clear hit. Utah, now up to No. 6 and still unbeaten, looks like the league’s cleanest playoff profile. BYU remains viable because it still has a marquee win over Notre Dame, but the Cougars are no longer operating from near-lock status. Instead, they are back in a crowded at-large fight with teams such as Notre Dame, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and others from the SEC and Big Ten. What happens next is critical. If BYU beats quality opponents down the stretch, especially in a likely high-stakes game against Utah, it can repair its standing. But another loss probably pushes the Cougars out of at-large range and leaves the Big 12 relying mainly on its automatic bid rather than multiple playoff entries.

3 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Oct 25

Miami was the only team to keep its place in the latest AP Top 25, with BYU’s loss at UCF triggering another broad reshuffle behind the Hurricanes.
BYU fell six spots to No. 8, lifting idle Ohio State to No. 2; Georgia rose to No. 3, Indiana climbed to No. 4 after an overtime win at Michigan, and Notre Dame slipped to No. 5.
Utah and UCLA followed at Nos. 6 and 7, with Kentucky and Alabama completing the top 10 alongside BYU.
Only 3 unbeaten FBS teams remain — Miami, Utah and UCLA — the fewest at this stage of a season since 1977.