BOULDER — The Prime Effect just crossed another line off the bucket list. Because the Buffs are officially back.

Back in the top 25, at any rate.

CU is ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press national ranking released this afternoon following a 45-42 win at then-No. 17 TCU last Saturday. The Buffs were also part of the AFCA coaches’ poll released Monday, at No. 25.

It’s the Buffs’ first appearance in the AP Top 25 since Dec. 6, 2020, when Karl Dorrell’s team opened their campaign 4-0 in a COVID-shortened season.

It’s the earliest appearance for CU in the AP rankings since Oct. 2, 2016. And it’s the first time CU has appeared in a September poll since Sept. 1, 2003.

“These young men, they know now, man, if we ball out, we’re going to get the love that we deserve,” Sanders said at his midday news conference Tuesday. “And that’s all they want. They want the attention and love they deserve.”

AP Top 25

(First place votes in parenthesis)

1. Georgia (58)
2. Michigan (2)
3. Alabama
4. Florida State (3)
5. Ohio State
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Washington
9. Tennessee
10. Notre Dame
11. Texas
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. LSU
15. Kansas State
16. Oregon State
17. North Carolina
18. Oklahoma
19. Wisconsin
20. Ole Miss
21. Duke
22. Colorado
23. Texas A&M
24. Tulane
25. Clemson