Indiana capped its perfect 16-0 season by claiming the final AP Top 25 No. 1 ranking, following its College Football Playoff title win over Miami. The Hoosiers became the third straight Big Ten champion atop the poll, joining Ohio State (2024) and Michigan (2023).

Miami jumped eight spots to No. 2, its highest finish since the 2002 season. Ole Miss landed at No. 3, its best final ranking since 1962. The Big Ten secured three of the top five spots, with Oregon (No. 4) and Ohio State (No. 5) also in the top tier.

The poll reflects a conference power shift, with the Big Ten and SEC each placing seven teams in the final rankings. Texas Tech earned its first-ever top-10 finish, while Vanderbilt achieved its highest final ranking since 1948. The standings set the stage for next season's playoff expansion debates.