Sports
Alabama back in familiar spot atop AP Top 25 poll
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) breaks a tackle by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) to score a touchdown that put Alabama ahead in the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Georgia 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images Buoyed by a dramatic come-from-ahead victory over Georgia on Saturday night, Alabama jumped three spots into the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll after Week 5.
The Crimson Tide had not been atop the rankings since Oct. 2, 2022, with the latest poll making 16 of 17 seasons that they have been No. 1 at some point. Alabama, under the helm this season of Kalen DeBoer following the retirement of Nick Saban, is ranked first for the 141st time, the most of any program since AP rankings started in 1936.
As a counterpoint in football rankings history, UNLV broke into the poll for the first time and is tied with Texas A&M for No. 25. The Rebels are 4-0 for the first time in their Division I history after defeating Fresno State 59-14 on Saturday with new starting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams replacing the departed Matthew Sluka.
Alabama received 40 of 63 first-place votes, while former No. 1 Texas got 19 in slipping to the second spot after a 35-13 home win over Mississippi State.
Unbeaten Ohio State received four first-place votes and ranks third. Tennessee moved up one spot to fourth after an idle week, while Georgia dropped from second to fifth.
The Bulldogs trailed the Tide 28-0 in the first half and rallied to take a late lead, only to quickly lose it for a 41-34 victory for Alabama, which has handed Georgia its only three losses since 2021.
Ole Miss fell six spots to No. 12 after suffering its first loss, 20-17 at home against Kentucky. Utah dropped eight places to No. 18 following a 23-10 defeat to visiting Arizona.
Louisville slid seven spots to No. 22 after a 31-24 loss at Notre Dame. Illinois moved down five spots after a 21-7 defeat at Penn State.
The full AP Top 25 poll after Week 5:
No. 1 Alabama
No. 2 Texas
No. 3 Ohio State
No. 4 Tennessee
No. 5 Georgia
No. 6 Oregon
No. 7 Penn State
No. 8 Miami
No. 9 Missouri
No. 10 Michigan
No. 11 Southern California
No. 12 Ole Miss
No. 13 LSU
No. 14 Notre Dame
No. 15 Clemson
No. 16 Iowa State
No. 17 BYU
No. 18 Utah
No. 19 Oklahoma
No. 20 Kansas State
No. 21 Boise State
No. 22 Louisville
No. 23 Indiana
No. 24 Illinois
No. 25 UNLV
No. 25 Texas A&M
–Field Level Media
Sports
F1 'closely monitoring' situation in Middle East
Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Formula 1 officials are “closely monitoring” the situation in the Middle East ahead of April’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Retaliatory missile strikes rocked the region Saturday after the United States and Israeli launched an attack on Iran.
The F1 season begins in Australia next weekend, then goes to China and Japan before heading to the Middle East for races in Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19).
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East — those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesperson said Saturday, per The Associated Press. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
Tire manufacturer Pirelli on Saturday announced the cancellation of its scheduled F1 tire testing in Bahrain.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to visit White House
Dec 6, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after winning the 2025 MLS Cup against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Inter Miami received an invitation to the White House to commemorate the team’s MLS Cup championship in 2025, The Athletic reported.
The Miami Herald confirmed that the Herons will visit the White House on Thursday, two days before they play D.C. United in Washington, D.C. The newspaper also reported that every player — including superstar Lionel Messi — is expected to attend the ceremony with President Donald Trump.
Inter Miami captured the franchise’s first MLS Cup trophy by posting a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Dec. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Herons co-owner David Beckham previously attended a White House ceremony while with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012. The Galaxy won the title in 2011.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Giants planning to release LB Bobby Okereke
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) leaves the field after losing to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The New York Giants are planning to cut inside linebacker Bobby Okereke in a cost-saving move, The Athletic reported Saturday.
Releasing the seven-year NFL veteran, who turns 30 in July, will save the Giants $9 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Okereke has led New York in tackles in two of his three seasons with the team, including 143 stops in 2025 and 149 in 2023.
Okereke added one sack, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 17 games (all starts) for the Giants in 2025.
He has recorded 805 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 110 career games (95 starts) with the Colts (2019-22) and Giants. Indianapolis drafted him in the third round in 2019.
–Field Level Media
F1 'closely monitoring' situation in Middle East
Reports: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to visit White House
