Get ready to pour one out for Jason Eck and the Lobos because New Mexico just pulled off a program-defining moment, cracking the AP Top 25 for the first time in their history! This isn’t some fluke, either. After Sunday’s Week 10 poll dropped, the Lobos are sitting at No. 22, firmly in the thick of the Group of Six auto-bid hunt for the College Football Playoff. They’ve ripped off five straight wins, their only stumble a narrow 14-6 loss at Oklahoma way back on September 19. They’re only three spots back from G6 frontrunner Boise State, which makes that Tuesday CFP ranking reveal even more spicy!
The Lobos’ Unbelievable Ascent
It feels like AP voters finally started watching the games, because this poll feels legit and the New Mexico story is impossible to ignore. For a team to go from unranked to No. 22, getting their first-ever AP Top 25 ranking, after a solid run of five wins in a row, you know something special is brewing. This isn’t just a feel-good story for the Lobos, it’s a statement. They’re making a serious case for that Group of Six spot, and if the AP Poll is any indication, the CFP committee has to be taking them seriously. Voters kept a close eye on Saturday’s action, and we’re told this poll will look awfully similar to what we see when the first CFP rankings drop this Tuesday. Get ready, folks, because New Mexico is coming.
Ohio State’s Playoff Dreams Are Fading Fast
While the Lobos are celebrating, things are looking grim for Ohio State. If you thought the Buckeyes would be the highest-ranked two-loss team in the first CFP rankings, you’re about to be sorely disappointed. After their 30-18 setback at USC, AP voters did what was right and properly docked them. Ohio State fell a whopping nine spots to No. 11. That’s their second loss of the season and their fourth in the last 10 games under Ryan Day. Defensive issues and faulty execution from their pass-catchers are absolutely stinging. Add to that Julian Sayin’s season-ending arm injury, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman hopes? They’ve definitely taken a hit. Buckeyes are now just one more loss away from potentially missing the bracket altogether. Yikes.
SEC Dark Horses Heating Up
Don’t sleep on these SEC squads, because they’re making some noise as we head into the final month of the regular season. South Carolina, the highest-ranked of two three-loss teams in the poll, has won three straight games after starting their SEC slate 0-3 under Shane Beamer. They’re looking eerily similar to their 2024 squad that nearly clawed its way into the CFP with a red-hot second half. If they win out, including huge games against Georgia and Clemson, they could absolutely force their way into the conversation. They’ve already got two top 25 wins against Florida and Tennessee, and they even led eighth-ranked Kentucky by 17 points back in September before fumbling it in overtime. LaNorris Sellers and that “unstoppable offense” have voters paying attention, and South Carolina is starting to look like the at-large CFP contender everyone expected them to be back in August. Not to be outdone, Missouri also made a move, climbing four spots inside the top.
The last meaningful AP Poll of the season just dropped some serious truth bombs, revealing who’s for real and who’s got work to do. All eyes now turn to Tuesday, when the first College Football Playoff rankings officially reveal what’s truly at stake.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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