Six schools that are known for their basketball prowess have achieved a historic feat in the college football rankings. For the first time in the 87-year history of the AP Top 25 poll, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, UCLA and Louisville are all ranked at the same time.
Hoop dreams on the gridiron
The six schools have a combined 36 NCAA men’s basketball championships, but their football programs have often been overshadowed by their hardwood success. However, this season they have shown that they can compete with the best on the gridiron as well.
- Kentucky is No. 24 in the AP poll after improving to 5-0 with a convincing win over LSU. The Wildcats have one of the best defenses in the country, allowing only 16.6 points per game. They also have a balanced offense led by quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. Kentucky will face its biggest test of the season next week when it visits No. 1 Georgia.
- North Carolina is No. 12 in the AP poll after bouncing back from a loss to Florida State with a dominant win over Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels have a potent offense that averages 39.8 points per game, thanks to the stellar play of quarterback Sam Howell and wide receiver Josh Downs. North Carolina will face another tough ACC opponent next week when it hosts No. 17 Miami.
- Duke is No. 17 in the AP poll after winning its fourth straight game, a thrilling comeback victory over Syracuse. The Blue Devils have a dynamic duo in quarterback Gunnar Holmberg and running back Mataeo Durant, who have combined for 2,011 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Duke will look to keep its momentum going next week when it visits No. 10 Virginia.
- Kansas is No. 23 in the AP poll after upsetting No. 14 Texas Tech on the road. The Jayhawks have been one of the biggest surprises of the season, as they have already matched their win total from the last three seasons combined. Kansas has a balanced attack that features quarterback Jason Bean, running back Devin Neal and wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II. Kansas will face another ranked opponent next week when it hosts No. 8 Oklahoma State.
- UCLA is No. 18 in the AP poll after defeating Arizona State in a Pac-12 showdown. The Bruins have one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, averaging 44.4 points per game. They are led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has accounted for 18 touchdowns this season, and running back Zach Charbonnet, who averages 7.3 yards per carry. UCLA will face another high-scoring team next week when it visits No. 7 Oregon.
- Louisville is No. 14 in the AP poll after beating Notre Dame to remain unbeaten. The Cardinals have a dynamic playmaker in quarterback Malik Cunningham, who has thrown for 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 547 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Louisville also has a stingy defense that allows only 18 points per game. Louisville will face its toughest challenge of the season next week when it visits No. 2 Clemson.
A rare occurrence
The last time any of these six schools were ranked in the AP Top 25 was in 2019, when Kentucky and Louisville both made brief appearances. The last time more than one of them were ranked at the same time was in 2016, when Louisville and North Carolina both cracked the top 10.
The last time three or more of them were ranked at the same time was in 2007, when Kentucky, Kansas and Louisville all reached the top 10 at some point during the season.
The last time four or more of them were ranked at the same time was in 1994, when North Carolina, Duke, Kansas and UCLA all finished the season in the top 25.
The last time five or more of them were ranked at the same time was never.
A sign of parity or an anomaly?
The fact that six basketball powerhouses are ranked in the college football poll at the same time is a remarkable achievement that reflects their hard work and improvement over the years.
However, some may argue that it also reflects a lack of dominance by some of the traditional football powerhouses this season.
For example, Alabama, which has won six national championships since 2009, is currently unranked after losing two games in a row for the first time since 2013.
Other perennial contenders such as Oklahoma, LSU, Texas and USC are also outside the top 10 this season.
Whether this is a sign of parity or an anomaly remains to be seen as the season progresses.
One thing is certain: these six basketball blue bloods have made history in college football this season, and they will try to make more as they chase their own hoop dreams on the gridiron.
