As ESPN’s latest FPI rankings face criticism for conference bias, yet another ranking system has fans furious. The AP Poll’s Week 6 controversy centers on Texas sitting ninth despite beating nobody major, while Alabama sits tenth after beating Georgia.
Why Are Fans Questioning Texas’s No. 9 Ranking?
On3 Sports released the Week 6 AP Poll on Sunday, which shows Texas holding steady at No. 9 despite a 3-1 record that includes no signature victories. The Longhorns currently sit ahead of Alabama (No. 10), which just defeated Georgia.
Critics point to Texas’s lack of quality opponents as the primary issue. Their three wins came against Colorado State, UTSA, and UL Monroe – none of which are ranked or considered strong programs. Their only loss came in Week 1 against a higher-ranked Ohio State team.
BREAKING: College Football AP Pollhttps://t.co/dcCZPsWxbm pic.twitter.com/YGBcORMtbL
— On3 (@On3sports) September 28, 2025
The ranking becomes more controversial when compared to teams around Texas. Alabama sits at No. 10 despite its impressive road victory over previously ranked Georgia. Penn State dropped only four spots to No. 7 after its double-overtime loss to Oregon.
Florida State provides another comparison point, falling to No. 18 after its double-overtime loss to Virginia. This creates frustration among fans, questioning the consistency of how teams are ranked.
What Are College Football Fans Saying About the Rankings?
Social media reactions have been swift and critical of the AP voters’ decisions.
One user expressed frustration with preseason bias affecting current rankings, “Lol until these rankings are based on actual results and not on preseason hype, they will continue to suck. I’m a UT alum but Texas (and Penn State) should NOT be anywhere near the top 10. Who cares if they had hype, they’ve beaten NO ONE.”
Lol until these rankings are based on actual results and not on preseason hype, they will continue to suck. I’m a UT alum but Texas (and Penn State) should NOT be anywhere near the top 10. Who cares if they had hype, they’ve beaten NO ONE.
— drake (@Notaswingvoter) September 28, 2025
Another user highlighted inconsistencies in how teams are ranked after beating Alabama, “So when Texas beat bama they had to be ranked ahead of them but when Florida state beat bama they get ranked way underneath them AP voters are horrendous.”
So when Texas beat bama they had to be ranked ahead of them but when Florida state beat bama they get ranked way underneath them AP voters are horrendous
— Lucent (@ItzLucent) September 28, 2025
A fan questioned Texas’s justification for their top-10 placement, “What argument does Texas have to be in the top 10, other than having the name ‘Texas’? Somebody gotta explain”
What argument does Texas have to be in the top 10, other than having the name “Texas”? Somebody gotta explain
— Trey (@Treymccray_) September 28, 2025
Critics compared Texas unfavorably to other ranked teams, “Can I ask what Texas has done to be above Alabama? How are we rating Arizona State and not Mississippi state? Illinois shouldn’t even be scraping #30.”
Can I ask what Texas has done to be above Alabama? How are we rating Arizona State and not Mississippi state? Illinois shouldn’t even be scraping #30.
— SqueezedReb (@SqueezedReb) September 28, 2025
One person noted the similar records, but it was clear that the treatment differed., “So Texas and penn state are above bama and georgia why? Same record, but bama and uga both have wayyy better wins.”
So Texas and penn state are above bama and georgia why? Same record, but bama and uga both have wayyyy better wins
— Salvatore Bonpensiero (@schmidthappens8) September 28, 2025
The frustration centers on perceived bias toward traditional powerhouses and preseason expectations rather than actual on-field performance. Fans argue that teams like Alabama and Georgia have demonstrated superior quality of wins despite similar or identical records, yet find themselves ranked below teams with weaker schedules.
The debate shows fans are tired of AP Poll voters focusing on big-name programs instead of what teams have actually done this season. With ESPN’s FPI also facing criticism this week for conference bias, no ranking system has escaped fan outrage this season.
