Texas Climbs to No. 10 in AP Top 25
Texas moved up the national rankings after a 31-3 win over Mississippi State, while Ohio State fell to No. 11.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Texas rose to No. 10 in the AP Top 25 poll released Nov. 1 after defeating Mississippi State 31-3, with Arch Manning throwing three touchdowns. Ohio State dropped to No. 11 following a 30-18 loss to USC.
Why it matters
The shifting poll reflects several upsets that pushed ranked teams out of the top 25, reshaping the national picture. Texas's climb positions it for a matchup against No. 19 Missouri.
Arch Manning threw three touchdowns in Texas's 31-3 win, and Maraad Watson recovered a fumble and returned it for a score. Miami remains No. 1 in the poll after narrowly defeating North Carolina.
The players
Arch Manning
Arch Manning is a Texas quarterback who threw three touchdowns in the win over Mississippi State.
Maraad Watson
Maraad Watson is a Texas player who recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown against Mississippi State.
The details
Texas defeated Mississippi State 31-3 in Week 9, with Maraad Watson scooping and scoring on a fumble. Upsets by Oregon over Northwestern, Syracuse over SMU, and Iowa State over Oklahoma State removed ranked teams from the poll.
Timeline
Week 9: Texas defeats Mississippi State 31-3.
Nov. 1: AP Top 25 poll released with Texas at No. 10.
Upcoming: Texas plays No. 19 Missouri at 11 a.m. in Columbia, Mo.
Season Trajectory
Texas's move to No. 10 comes as several ranked teams fell in the Oregon, Syracuse and Iowa State upsets, reshaping the weekly AP poll. Ohio State's slide to No. 11 after a loss to USC shows how quickly ranking positions can change within a single week.
Texas's climb to No. 10 matters for fantasy rosters tied to Arch Manning and Maraad Watson, whose performances drove the win. The next game against Missouri will show whether the team can sustain its position in the poll.
The takeaway
Texas's rise shows how a single dominant win and a set of upsets can quickly reshape the national rankings, so tracking weekly poll changes helps readers follow the race.
What happens next
Texas plays No. 19 Missouri at 11 a.m. in Columbia, Mo., a matchup that will test its ranking.
Further reading
For more on the teams shaping the rankings, see Football coverage across the season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Austin American-Statesman.
