TCU football climbs into final AP Top 25 poll after bowl victory
TCU football is No. 25 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll that was released Tuesday.
The Horned Frogs ended the year on a three-game winning streak to finish 9-4, including wins at Houston (No. 22 in the final poll) and No. 20 USC in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
The Horned Frogs defeated the Trojans 30-27 in overtime without starting quarterback Josh Hoover, who entered the transfer portal in the days leading up to the bowl game. Backup quarterback Ken Seals led TCU to the comeback win.
It’s the first time TCU has been ranked in the final AP poll since the 2022 season when head coach Sonny Dykes led the Horned Frogs to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the national championship game.
Even without Hoover, expectations will still be high next season as TCU retained most of its core from this season’s team and added some key additions in the transfer portal like Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig.
Indiana claimed the College Football Playoff national championship with a 27-21 victory over Miami on Monday.
The Hoosiers are of course No. 1 in the final AP poll, followed by Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon and Ohio State.
Besides TCU and Houston, other Big 12 teams in the final poll are No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 11 BYU and No. 14 Utah.
Texas A&M finished at No. 8, Texas is No. 12, and North Texas made the final poll at No. 24.
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 11:06 AM.
