AP top 25: The Big 12/SEC Challenge shakes up the poll

The Big 12/SEC Challenge started five years ago and until recently, this challenge has been a way for the Big 12 to flex its muscles as a superior conference. SEC had neve won this challenge, that is until this year. The SEC saw upset victories across the board but notably in the marquee match-up of the challenge as Kentucky defeated West Virginia in Morgantown.

The challenge caused some movement in the polls as Texas Tech, Tennessee, and Kentucky all took big moves up while West Virginia took a nose dive down. The SEC and Big 12 now have the same number of teams in the poll at 4, and both will be hoping to have more teams sneak in soon. It is now tough for the Big 12 to still lay claim to being the dominant conference in the country with the SEC being able to defeat them in this challenge the way that they did.

Tech was able to get back in the top 10 with back to back wins over Oklahoma State and South Carolina. Losses by Ohio State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and West Virginia helped the Red Raiders climb their way back up. With two games against state rivals coming up, Tech still has the opportunity to break the school record for highest ranking, 7th set in 1996.

1. Villanova, 20-1 (-)
2. Virginia, 20-1 (-)
3. Purdue, 21-2 (-)
4. Duke, 18-3 (-)
5. Michigan State, 20-3 (+1)
6. Xavier, 19-3 (+2)
7. Kansas, 17-4 (-2)
8. Cincinnati, 19-2 (+1)
9. Arizona, 18-4 (+2)
10. Texas Tech, 17-4 (+4)
11. Auburn, 19-2 (+8)
12. Oklahoma, 15-5 (-)
13. Saint Mary’s, 21-2 (+3)
14. Gonzaga, 19-4 (+1)
15. West Virginia, 16-5 (-8)
16. Wichita State, 17-4 (+1)
17. Ohio State, 18-5 (-4)
18. Tennessee, 15-5 (+4)
19. North Carolina, 16-6 (-9)
20. Clemson, 17-4 (-2)
21. Kentucky, 16-5 (NR)
22. Rhode Island, 17-3 (+2)
23. Florida, 15-6 (-3)
24. Michigan, 17-6 (+1)
25. Arizona State, 16-5 (-4)