Georgia climbs to No. 1 in AP poll after defeating Alabama

The Georgia Bulldogs have ascended to the No. 1 spot in the latest Associated Press college football rankings following a 20-17 road victory over the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide. The win, secured at Bryant-Denny Stadium, marks Georgia’s first time at the top of the poll since the 2024 season.

The matchup was marked by significant controversy and tension. A late uncalled pass-interference penalty against Georgia contributed to the outcome, sparking outrage among Alabama fans who threw debris onto the field. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed frustration regarding the officiating and the late-game penalty by Dijon Lee Jr. that prevented a potential comeback.

In addition to the on-field drama, Alabama suffered several injuries during the contest, including starters Ryan Coleman-Williams, Racin Delgatty, and Terrance Green.

Elsewhere in the rankings, Texas fell to No. 7 following a loss to Oklahoma. Other notable shifts include UCLA rising to No. 12 after defeating Oregon, while LSU dropped to No. 22. The SEC continues to lead all conferences with nine ranked teams.