Ohio State kicked off the back half of its schedule with a 54-10 win over Iowa, however, the Buckeyes didn’t see any movement in the most recent AP Poll.
The Buckeyes remained slotted in at No. 2, behind No. 1 Georgia — who enjoyed an off week — but, they did pick up an additional first-place vote from a week ago, rising to 18 first-place selections. There was no movement in the top five, which was rounded out by No. 3 Tennessee, No. 4 Michigan and No. 5 Clemson. Alabama is the highest-ranked team with a loss, sitting at No. 6 ahead of No. 7 TCU, No. 8 Oregon and No. 9 Oklahoma State while USC and Wake Forest tied for No. 10.
Outside of Ohio State and Michigan, the Big Ten is represented by No. 13 Penn State — the Buckeyes’ upcoming opponent — and No. 17 Illinois. Maryland is the only other team in the conference to receive votes, earning eight.
Penn State and Wake Forest both registered the highest rise, with each moving up three spots. Mississippi endured the largest fall, dropping eight spots after a 45-20 loss to LSU.
| Ranking | Team | Points | Change |
| No. 1 | Georgia (7-0) | 1,530 (31) | N/A |
| No. 2 | Ohio State (7-0) | 1,513 (18) | N/A |
| No. 3 | Tennessee (7-0) | 1,476 (13) | N/A |
| No. 4 | Michigan (7-0) | 1,382 | N/A |
| No. 5 | Clemson (8-0) | 1,318 (1) | N/A |
| No. 6 | Alabama (7-1) | 1,266 | N/A |
| No. 7 | TCU (7-0) | 1,213 | +1 |
| No. 8 | Oregon (6-1) | 1,114 | +2 |
| No. 9 | Oklahoma State (6-1) | 1,064 | +2 |
| T-No. 10 | USC (6-1) | 927 | +2 |
| T-No. 10 | Wake Forest (6-1) | 927 | +3 |
| No. 12 | UCLA (6-1) | 803 | -3 |
| No. 13 | Penn State (6-1) | 783 | +3 |
| No. 14 | Utah (5-2) | 766 | +1 |
| No. 15 | Mississippi (7-1) | 744 | -8 |
| No. 16 | Syracuse (6-1) | 626 | -2 |
| No. 17 | Illinois (6-1) | 508 | +1 |
| No. 18 | LSU (6-2) | 502 | N/A |
| No. 19 | Kentucky (5-2) | 429 | N/A |
| No. 20 | Cincinnati (6-1) | 386 | +1 |
| No. 21 | North Carolina (6-1) | 278 | +1 |
| No. 22 | Kansas State (5-2) | 272 | -5 |
| No. 23 | Tulane (7-1) | 243 | +2 |
| No. 24 | North Carolina State (5-2) | 169 | -1 |
| No. 25 | South Carolina (5-2) | 113 | N/A |
