SEC Logo Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of the SEC logo on a chain marker during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in the 88-year history of the college football AP Poll, a single conference has six teams in the top seven spots.

The SEC became the first conference to ever earn the designation when Sunday’s Week 3 poll was released.

The Georgia Bulldogs, fresh off a 48-3 victory over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, remained the nation’s top team, receiving 54 first-place votes.

Following their 31-12 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, the Texas Longhorns jumped the Ohio State Buckeyes to claim the second spot. This is Texas’ highest AP Poll ranking since the 2009 season.

Ohio State checked in at No. 3. The Buckeyes are the only Big Ten team in the top seven, but along with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans all appear in the top 11, giving the Big Ten and SEC 10 of the top 11 teams, another first in AP Poll history.

Despite an early scare from the South Florida Bulls, the Alabama Crimson Tide rallied for the win to remain in the fourth spot.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart, who set a new SEC record in the Ole Miss Rebels’ win over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, saw his team climb into the top 5, as they check in at No. 5 for the first time since 2015.

The Missouri Tigers remained a beneficiary of the teams in front of them moving, recording a 38-0 shutout win over the Buffalo Bulls and jumping up to No. 6.

Rounding out the SEC’s presence in the top seven are the Tennessee Volunteers, who had an impressive 51-10 road victory over the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

The Oklahoma Sooners and LSU Tigers are both also ranked, giving the SEC eight of the nation’s top 25 teams.

[Associated Press]

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