Ohio State is No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 football poll of the season after beating Notre Dame for its first national championship since 2014. The Buckeyes received every first-place vote following their run through the College Football Playoff, culminating in a thrilling victory over the Fighting Irish in the championship game.
The Buckeyes dominated the competition all season, with their high-powered offense and stingy defense leading the way. They steamrolled through the regular season, with their only close call coming in a thrilling matchup against Penn State. However, they were able to bounce back from that scare and continue their winning ways, eventually earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame, on the other hand, had a remarkable season in its own right. The Fighting Irish were ranked No. 2 in the final poll, with their only loss of the season coming at the hands of the Buckeyes in the championship game. They had several close calls throughout the season, but were always able to come out on top, thanks to their stout defense and timely offense.
Mississippi and BYU were two teams that exceeded expectations this season, with both squads finishing ahead of several teams that made the College Football Playoff. The Rebels had a breakout season, with their high-scoring offense leading the way. They were able to knock off several ranked teams, including a thrilling upset over a top-10 squad. BYU, on the other hand, was led by its stingy defense, which was able to shut down even the most potent offenses. The Cougars had several impressive victories, including a dominating win over a highly-ranked team.
The final AP Top 25 poll is a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of the college football season. With several teams making surprise runs and others falling short of expectations, it was a year that will be remembered for years to come. The Buckeyes, with their national championship, will be the team to beat next season, but several other squads will be looking to make a run at the top spot.