Big Ten falls; Irish rise up
Notre Dame and Clemson climbed while Ohio State and Penn State tumbled out of the top 10, leaving the latest Associated Press college football poll looking a lot like the College Football Playoff rankings — with one big difference.
Alabama remained No. 1 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday, as it has been since the preseason. No. 2 Georgia picked up three more first-place votes for a total of five. In the playoff rankings, Georgia is No. 1 and Alabama is No. 2. Notre Dame moved up two spots to No. 3 and Clemson did the same to No. 4. Oklahoma jumped three spots to No. 5, leaving those three in the same order as the selection committee had them on Tuesday.
Unbeaten Wisconsin slipped two spots to No. 6 but is now the highest ranked team in the Big Ten. Ohio State fell eight spots to No. 11 after getting blown out at Iowa and Penn State dropped nine to No. 16 after spending all season in the top 10.
POLL POINTS
For the first time this season, the Big Ten has only one team ranked in the top 10. The conference has had as many as four teams in the first 10 at times this season, but with Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan beating up each other, plus surprising losses by those East Division powers to Iowa and Northwestern the past two weeks, the Big Ten has devoured itself.
RANKED VS. RANKED
For the second straight week, seven games match ranked teams, which ties an AP poll-era (1936-present) record.
No. 1 Alabama at No. 18 Mississippi State. With some help from Georgia, the Tide can clinch the SEC West.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Auburn. The Bulldogs already have clinched a trip to Atlanta as SEC East champs, but this is for playoff positioning.
No. 3 Notre Dame at No. 7 Miami. Just like old times. The first meeting between the Irish and Hurricanes as top-10 teams since 1990.
No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 TCU. The winner grabs sole possession and firm control of first place in the Big 12.
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 25 Iowa. Badgers can clinch the Big Ten West.
No. 11 Ohio State vs No. 13 Michigan State. First in the Big Ten East on the line.
No. 12 Oklahoma State at No. 24 Iowa State. Cyclones already have victories against TCU and Oklahoma.