Clemson ascends to No. 1

Dabo Swinney’s defending champs top poll

1. Clemson (11-1)

Points: 1,485 (25 first-place votes).

Previous ranking: 3. Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Miami (Fla.) (ABC, 8).

2. Oklahoma (11-1)

Points: 1,462 (12). Prev.: 5. Next: Saturday vs. No. 12 TCU (Fox, 12:30).

3. Wisconsin (12-0)

Points: 1,454 (21). Prev.: 4. Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Ohio State (Fox, 8).

4. Auburn (10-2)

Points: 1,402 (4). Prev.: 6. Next: Saturday vs. No. 6 Georgia (CBS, 4).

5. Alabama (11-1)

Points: 1,272. Prev.: 1.

6. Georgia (11-1)

Points: 1,269. Prev.: 7. Next: Saturday vs. No. 4 Auburn (CBS, 4).

7. (Tie) Miami (Fla.) (10-1) Points: 1,123. Prev.: 2. Next: Saturday vs. No. 1 Clemson (ABC, 8).

7. (Tie) Ohio State (10-2) Points: 1,123. Prev.: 8. Next: Saturday vs. No. 3 Wisconsin (Fox, 8).

9. Southern California (10-2)

Points: 990. Prev.: 10. Next: Friday vs. No. 15 Stanford (ESPN, 8).

10. Penn State (10-2)

Points: 970. Prev.: 11.

11. Central Florida (11-0)

Points: 957. Prev.: 12. Next: Saturday vs. No. 14 Memphis (ABC, noon).

12. TCU (10-2)

Points: 934. Prev.: 13. Next: Saturday vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (Fox, 12:30).

13. Washington (10-2) Points: 822. Prev.: 14.

14. Memphis (10-1)

Points: 656. Prev.: 16. Next: Saturday vs. No. 11 Central Florida (ABC, noon).

15. Stanford (9-3)

Points: 640. Prev.: 20. Next: Friday vs. No. 9 Southern California (Fox, 8).

16. LSU (9-3)

Points: 596. Prev.: 18.

17. Notre Dame (9-3) Points: 541. Prev.: 9.

18. Oklahoma State (9-3) Points: 506. Prev.: 21.

19. Michigan State (9-3) Points: 476. Prev.: 22.

20. Northwestern (9-3) Points: 387. Prev.: 23.

21. Virginia Tech (9-3) Points: 297. Prev.: 25.

22. Washington State (9-3) Points: 266. Prev.: 15.

23. South Florida (9-2) Points: 128. Prev.: 19.

24. Mississippi State (8-4) Points: 124. Prev.: 17.

25. San Diego State (10-2) Points: 86. Prev.: not ranked.