Week 5 of the college football season might not have presented the most exciting lineup of games. Nonetheless, the unexpected often brings drama in the sport, and this weekend was no exception. Although only three matchups occurred between ranked teams, substantial shifts appeared in the latest AP Top 25 poll by Sunday.

Significant Gains and Losses

One of the most notable changes involved Missouri. The Tigers surged forward after a commanding 45-17 victory over Florida. This substantial win came shortly after the Gators exhibited prowess in defeating Ole Miss. Missouri jumped 11 spots to No. 14 as a result. Meanwhile, Florida plummeted eight spots in the rankings due to their loss against Missouri.

In the SEC, Alabama advanced a single spot to No. 6 following their dominant performance against Mississippi State. Despite their victory, Alabama surpassed defending champions Indiana, which fell one spot in the poll despite defeating Rutgers on the road.

Missouri Tigers wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery and running back Jamal Roberts celebrated a touchdown against Florida on October 3, 2026, at Faurot Field. (Photo via Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire)

Poll Analysis: Stability and Volatility

The top eight teams in the AP Poll, including the unchanged Top 5 from the previous week, remain firmly positioned. However, ranking disputes emerge beyond this point, particularly among SEC teams.

Ole Miss stayed at No. 9 while taking a bye week for recovery after their Florida defeat. LSU gained ground to reach No. 10 following a victory over McNeese. Mississippi State witnessed a modest fall to No. 17 despite their home loss to Alabama by 33 points.

Alabama’s Keelon Russell and Ryan Coleman-Williams celebrate during the game against Mississippi State. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

One of the most frustrated teams is Kentucky, which fell out of the rankings altogether after winning in overtime against South Carolina in Week 5.

Big Ten enthusiasts may have grievances with six teams appearing in the newest AP Poll. Their most likely complaint involves USC. The Trojans dropped six spots to No. 18 despite defeating Washington with a come-from-behind victory.

USC’s Jahkeem Stewart scored a touchdown following a fumble recovery against Washington on October 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register)

While USC endured a significant drop, Oregon advanced five spots without playing in Week 5. Iowa moved up three spots despite losing to Ohio State by 17 points.