AP Top 25 Poll Criticism: SEC Bias and Florida, South Carolina Rankings
An OutKick column argues AP Top 25 voters are favoring SEC brands over résumés, pointing to ranked Florida and South Carolina teams with three losses each and unranked Northwestern with two close losses.
An OutKick column argues that this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll shows voters giving SEC teams preferential treatment based on brand and conference rather than results. The column’s central example: Florida and South Carolina are ranked despite three losses each, while Northwestern is unranked with two close losses.
What happened
The column, published by OutKick, criticizes the latest AP Top 25 for what it calls a recurring pattern of voters not paying close attention or being swayed by conference and team biases. It says preseason polls carry too much weight and that the SEC receives special treatment.
The specific complaints:
- Texas at No. 10 despite what the column calls two poor losses, to Oklahoma and at home to Florida, alongside wins over Ohio State and Ole Miss.
- Texas Tech at No. 13 with one loss, at Cincinnati, but two ranked wins in the Big 12.
- Missouri at No. 19 despite a 31-3 loss to Ole Miss and a loss to Mississippi State; its win over Florida looks weaker after the Gators’ collapse.
- Florida ranked with three blowout losses: 45-17 at Missouri, 38-19 to South Carolina and 27-8 to Georgia on Saturday. The column says the Gators’ wins over Ole Miss and Texas do not offset those margins.
- South Carolina at No. 23 with three losses, to Mississippi State, Kentucky and 49-18 to Alabama, after beating Oklahoma. The column says the Tennessee win does not justify a ranking this early.
- Northwestern unranked with two close losses, to Indiana and Oregon.
- Notre Dame at No. 4 at 7-1 against a schedule the column calls easy, with its only loss at BYU, ahead of undefeated UCLA and one-loss Indiana.
The column also notes that SEC coaches, including Lane Kiffin, have spent the offseason and half the season complaining about moving to a nine-game schedule and seeking preferential treatment.
Why it matters
The column argues that AP poll voters are committed to brand names at the team and conference level, and that this deference is likely undeserved. It says the SEC and Big Ten are less talented than in past years, and that NIL and the transfer portal have flattened college football, making brand names matter less. It points to Indiana’s national championship as evidence that traditional powers should not automatically get the benefit of the doubt.
The column adds that the AP poll will influence the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, which it calls the ones that actually matter. This suggests the poll’s early-season placements could shape playoff positioning later.
Key facts at a glance
| Team | AP rank | Record / losses cited |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | No. 10 | Losses to Oklahoma and Florida; wins over Ohio State, Ole Miss |
| Texas Tech | No. 13 | One loss at Cincinnati; two ranked wins |
| Missouri | No. 19 | 31-3 loss to Ole Miss; loss to Mississippi State |
| Florida | Ranked | Three losses: 45-17, 38-19, 27-8 |
| South Carolina | No. 23 | Three losses, including 49-18 to Alabama |
| Northwestern | Unranked | Two close losses (Indiana, Oregon) |
| Notre Dame | No. 4 | 7-1; loss at BYU |
| UCLA | Undefeated | Only undefeated Big Ten or SEC team, per column |
| Indiana | One loss | Close loss to Ohio State |
What this means for you
- If you follow the AP poll, expect early rankings to reflect preseason expectations and brand names more than résumés, based on the column’s examples.
- Treat the AP Top 25 as a signal, not a verdict: the column says the College Football Playoff committee’s rankings are the ones that matter.
- Watch whether November results force voters to adjust; the column says some of this will sort itself out as the month plays out.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Florida ranked in the AP Top 25?
The column does not explain the voters’ reasoning but argues Florida should not be ranked given three blowout losses, and that its ranking stems from SEC affiliation.
Why is South Carolina ranked at No. 23?
The column says South Carolina entered the top 25 after beating Oklahoma, despite losses to Mississippi State, Kentucky and Alabama.
Why is Northwestern unranked?
The column says Northwestern has only two close losses, to Indiana and Oregon, and argues that résumé deserves a ranking.
Does the AP poll affect the College Football Playoff?
The column says the AP poll will impact the CFP selection committee rankings, which it describes as the ones that actually matter.
What to watch next
The column says some of the poll’s issues will sort themselves out as November plays out. It does not specify dates or future poll releases.
- OutKick column says AP Top 25 voters are favoring SEC teams based on brand and conference.
- Florida and South Carolina are ranked despite three losses each, while Northwestern is unranked with two close losses.
- The column says the AP poll will influence College Football Playoff committee rankings.
