Georgia defeats Alabama 20-17 on October 11, claims No. 1 in AP poll for first time since 2024

Georgia won 20-17 at Alabama on Saturday, October 11, and claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll with 66 of 70 first-place votes, per CBS Sports reporting. The Bulldogs improved to 6-0 (4-0 SEC) and returned to the top ranking for the first time since the 2024 season. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, according to ESPN's reporting. On third-and-7 from the Georgia 10 with about 2:20 remaining, Stockton connected with tight end Elyiss Williams on a 17-yard pass that helped the Bulldogs run out the clock. Kirby Smart called that throw the play of the game. The victory came at notable cost. Georgia was missing top tailbacks Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens and red zone target Isiah Canion due to injuries, per ESPN reporting. Despite the absences, Georgia's offense managed the clock in the final moments while Alabama's defense, per ESPN, saw "the middle consistently gashed by Georgia on Saturday, in both the run game and throwing the football." Alabama cornerstone defensive starters including Ryan Coleman-Williams, Racin Delgatty and Terrance Green were banged up, according to ESPN. Georgia's win was their first in Tuscaloosa since 2007, per ESPN reporting. Stockton, who is 18-3 as Georgia's starter, has completed 76.6% of his attempts for 1,298 yards with 14 touchdowns and 2 interceptions this season, according to ESPN. The result reshaped the poll. Texas, previously No. 1, dropped six spots to No. 7 after falling to Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown on October 11. LSU fell 12 spots to No. 22 after losing at Kentucky on October 11. Kentucky surged from unranked to No. 15, per CBS Sports reporting. Oregon dropped out of the poll after falling to 3-2. Northwestern surged into the AP poll for the first time since 2020 after improving to 4-1 with a 45-14 win over Ball State on October 11, per CBS Sports reporting. The SEC now has nine ranked teams, the most of any conference, while the Big Ten has six and the Big 12 has five, per CBS Sports. Wake Forest replaced Pitt in the poll at No. 21 after improving to 5-1 with a win at NC State on October 11, per CBS Sports.