No. 2 Alabama closes gap with Clemson; Liberty in at No. 25

Clemson remained No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday, but not by much.

Trevor Lawrence’s absence because of COVID-19 and the Tigers’ narrow win over Boston College created a divide among the 62 writers and broadcasters on the voting panel.

Clemson received 33 first-place votes – 19 fewer than last week – and has only a two-point lead over No. 2 Alabama heading into a huge ACC matchup at fourth-ranked Notre Dame this week.

Alabama, which handed Mike Leach his first shutout as a head coach with a 41-0 victory over Mississippi State, got the other 29 first-place votes.

The rest of the top five remained the same, with Ohio State at No. 3, followed by Notre Dame and Georgia.

The unbeaten Liberty Flames, in their third year in the Football Bowl Subdivision, entered the rankings for the first time at No. 25. Penn State is out for the first time since 2016.

Broncos D-coordinator Donatell under COVID-19 protocols

DENVER – The Denver Broncos say defensive coordinator Ed Donatell missed Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday because of COVID-19 protocols.

That left head coach Vic Fangio without his top assistant on the sideline as he calls the defensive plays.

ESPN reported that Donatell wasn’t feeling well Saturday and self-reported his illness and stayed home.

Under the league’s updated protocols, players or coaches who become ill are isolated even if they haven’t tested positive for COVID-19.

The Broncos were also without offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who has been under COVID-19 protocols since Wednesday, and starting right guard Graham Glasgow, whose positive test led Fangio to postpone Friday’s on-field work to Saturday.

The Broncos had starting right tackle Demar Dotson and backup center/guard Austin Schlottmann self-isolate Friday after learning of Glasgow’s infection.