Either Alabama or Clemson have been ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll for the last 23 consecutive polls.
For the better part of the last three seasons, there’s been a trio of programs rotating among themselves atop the AP Top 25 poll.
And now the streak has surpassed quadruple digits.
For the last 1,003 days and counting (as of Aug. 22), there have only been three teams ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll: Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State.
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To put that in perspective, the trio's domination at No. 1 has covered 36 straight polls. Alabama has been No. 1 the most during that span at 19 times, with Ohio State holding the top spot 11 times and Clemson six.
The last instance that a team other than the Crimson Tide, Tigers and Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 was in Week 14 of the 2014 season when the Jameis Winston-led Florida State Seminoles were 11-0 coming off a 20-17 win against Boston College. Alabama was ranked No. 2 that week, with Ohio State No. 7 and Clemson No. 23.
For 26 consecutive weeks, dating back to the 2015 Week 9 poll (Oct. 18, 2015), at least two of the three schools have been ranked in the top three spots in the AP poll. On five separate occasions, Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State were all ranked in the top three. Either the Crimson Tide or Tigers have been No. 1 for the last 23 polls released.
Alabama No. 1 in preseason @AP_Top25 for sixth time in school history. https://t.co/6HFWYOsTk6 #APTop25 #RollTide
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 21, 2017
Here’s what was happening in the world the last time one of these three teams were not ranked No. 1, back in the week of Nov. 23, 2014.
In sports
The Connecticut field hockey team just captured its second consecutive national championship, defeating Syracuse 1-0 at the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
Back-to-Back! UConn Field Hockey Wins 2014 National Championship - http://t.co/cw2F44sdNK pic.twitter.com/Wo1FOJG4wx
— Women Play Ball (@WomenPlayBall) November 24, 2014
The Huskies scored on their first shot attempt of the game, courtesy of a goal from midfielder McKenzie Townsend, who redirected a pass from defender Anna Middendorf at the 25:33 mark in the first half. UConn only totaled four shots on the day but it was enough for the Huskies to win their fourth title in program history.
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In Division III, The College of New Jersey won the field hockey national championship, defeating Bowdoin College 2-0 to claim its second title in four seasons. Jacklyn Douglas and Erin Healy scored the goals for the Lions.
North Central (Ill.) captured the DIII men’s cross-country championship after coming in second the previous season.
In the FCS, the 24-team playoff bracket was just announced. North Dakota State went on to win the title after the Bison orchestrated a six-play, 78-yard drive capped off by a five-yard touchdown run from quarterback Carson Wentz with 37 seconds remaining against Illinois State. That was the fourth of five straight championships won by North Dakota State from 2011-15.
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In professional sports
Former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr. became a household name in the NFL after making his famous one-handed touchdown catch along the sideline against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
In the month prior, the San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in seven games to capture their third World Series in five seasons. Madison Bumgarner had one of the greatest World Series performances ever, going 2-0 with a 0.43 earned run average in 21 innings pitched. He closed out the final five innings in Game 7 to earn the save after pitching a complete game shutout just three days before.
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In the NBA, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 91-86 to improve to 10-2 early in the season. The Warriors ultimately won the NBA Finals in six games that season, which started their current run of success in the NBA.
Top song
The last time a team other than Alabama, Clemson or Ohio State was No. 1, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” was No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100. That was her first single on her "1989" album. Three years later, the song can still make just about anyone dance – or it brings back horrible memories.
In theatres
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" was the top movie in the box office, while "Big Hero 6," "Interstellar," "Dumb and Dumber To," "Horrible Bosses 2" and "The Theory of Everything" was also playing in theaters. "Boyhood" later went on to win the Best Picture that year.
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In the news
Pitbull hosted the 42nd American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (now Microsoft Theatre) in Los Angeles, California. One Direction won the Artist of the Year award while Katy Perry won Single of the Year for her song "Dark Horse" featuring Juicy J. Other notable award winners from the night were Carrie Underwood (Country Female Artist), Luke Bryan (Country Male Aritst), Florida Georgia Line (Country Band, Duo or Group), Beyonce (Soul/R&B Female Artist) and John Legend (Soul/R&B Male Artist).
After a week of intense snowfall that accumulated up to seven feet, Buffalo was faced with intense flood warnings. The snow storm was so bad that it forced a Monday Night Football game between the Bills and New York Jets to be moved to Detroit’s Ford Field because of the weather.
Bills and Jets fans came to have some fun in Detroit!! Crazy night at Ford Field! pic.twitter.com/WXeV9lWitE
— Darcy Knoll (@thorpekn) November 25, 2014
In the tech world
Apple announced its World AIDS Day 2014 Campaign for (RED) where 25 popular apps with exclusive new content had the proceeds go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. The company additionally donated a portion of its sales in Apple’s retail and online stores to the foundation.
The week before, Apple also began production on its first edition of the Apple Watch.
The weather on Nov. 23, 2014
North and Central Georgia were hit with thunderstorms that later resulted in four tornados that touched down in Alabama before proceeding into Georgia. The winds from the tornado (up to 130 miles per hour) caused damages to buildings and trees.
