College Football Rankings Week 6: Alabama Moves To No. 2 Behind LSU In AP Poll

By RALPH D. RUSSO, Associated Press

LSU and Alabama are the top two teams in the country one month before their game in Tuscaloosa.

The SEC West rivals held the first two spots in The Associated Press college football poll released Sunday as the second-ranked Crimson Tide jumped past No. 3 Oklahoma.

Alabama's rise gives the Southeastern Conference the top two teams in the country for the 10th time in the last four seasons. And for the first time since 2000, the Nos. 1 and 2 teams reside in the same division. That season Nebraska and Kansas State of the Big 12 North held the top two spots in the AP poll for one week.

The Tide beat Florida 38-10 on Saturday night in Gainesville, then received 12 first-place votes in the media rankings.

LSU remained No. 1 for a second straight week, receiving 40 first-place votes and 1,473 points. Alabama had 1,435 points. The Tigers play the Tide on Nov. 5 in a game that could ultimately decide the division – and much more.

Oklahoma, which started the season No. 1 before slipping behind LSU last week, got seven first-place votes.

Wisconsin also moved up after a big victory, jumping three spots to No. 4 after a 48-17 win against Nebraska.

Boise State, which had one first-place vote, slipped a spot to No. 5.

Oklahoma was No. 1 in the USA Today coaches' poll, followed by LSU, Alabama, Stanford and Wisconsin.

The top eight in the AP poll were all undefeated, with No. 6 Oklahoma State followed by Stanford and Clemson.

Oregon was ninth and Arkansas was No. 10.

Three more unbeaten teams were next: No. 11 Texas, which faces rival Oklahoma on Saturday in Dallas, No. 12 Michigan and No. 13 Georgia Tech.

Nebraska fell six spots to No. 14 and Auburn jumped back into the poll all the way to No. 15 after the Tigers beat South Carolina 16-10 on the road. The defending national champions have fallen out of the rankings twice this season.

No. 16 West Virginia is the only Big East team in the rankings.

No. 17 Florida dropped five spots after getting thumped by Alabama and No. 18 South Carolina dropped eight spots.

No. 19 Illinois has its best ranking since the final regular-season poll of 2007. No. 20 Kansas State is ranked for the first time since Oct. 14, 2007.

The final five were Virginia Tech, Arizona State, Florida State, Texas A&M and Baylor.

Falling out after losses were TCU and South Florida.

____

1 LSU
2 Alabama
3 Oklahoma
4 Wisconsin
5 Boise State
6 Oklahoma State
7 Stanford
8 Clemson
9 Oregon
10 Arkansas
11 Texas
12 Michigan
13 Georgia Tech
14 Nebraska
15 Auburn
16 West Virginia
17 Florida
18 South Carolina
19 Illinois
20 Kansas State
21 Virginia Tech
22 Arizona State
23 Florida State
24 Texas A&M
25 Baylor

Comments

[ctubbs70]

03:24 PM on 10/03/2011

Well deserved: Alabama and LSU are feroscious! Can't wait 'til they meet in November.

[Mattcat25]

02:11 PM on 10/03/2011

I think they (the BCS and pollsters) should have a different team as the “NUMBER ONE” each week during the season, just to allow for a team to experience the sensation of being on top…for that week.

[cybolt]

01:55 PM on 10/03/2011

Clemson is the sleeper and with all respect to my friend CJ below, the moment Wisconsin steps out of the BIG 10/12/13 whatever to play someone with great team speed, they'll be exposed as the typical Big 10 pretender they are.

[ctubbs70]

03:29 PM on 10/03/2011

Agree completely - Clemson is funt to watch - 3 wins in a row over ranked teams pretty impressive. But not with your comment on Wisconsin, I think they are better and more balanced than people think (can they run the ball!).

[cybolt]

03:50 PM on 10/03/2011

I confess my comments about Wisc are based more on experience from years past and Big10 in general than this year's club. I'm thrilled to see them consistently challenging the hierarchy of the conference but even last year's exceptional team looked slow against TCU.

[CatfishJohn]

08:50 AM on 10/03/2011

Wisconsin's Offensive line is incredible. They have 3 rookies from last year's line starting in the NFL. Get ready for "Mr. Wilson and the Steamroller 5" to bludgeon any Big 10- defense and just maybe wind up #2 and in the national title game.

[rauwerdink]

08:18 AM on 10/03/2011

best player in the USA is wearing Cardinal and White right now.

[frank day]

07:17 AM on 10/03/2011

Alabama is playing at a level above Everybody.

[BlueZoo]

05:21 PM on 10/02/2011

When was the last time there was not a Florida team in the top ten? Must be ages ago! To see the Gators lose and the Gamecocks lose in the same weekend was just the best Saturday possible! Now, if only Clemson can go on and get ranked in the top four! I'd be ecstatic; however, I do believe this is the first time I honestly say I agree with the top four ranked today. I look to Wisconsin to take the BCS, though. That blowout over Nebraska was really impressive! Those farm boys can play football!

[Evanescence II]

04:41 PM on 10/02/2011

Heck_Yeah! ROLLLLLL TIDE......and LSU! #1 & #2

SEC RULES!

** Shout out to my underdog favorites #8 Clemson....who I hope will rout South Carolina this year....WOOT!

[liberaldawg]

03:33 PM on 10/02/2011

Clearly Bama is the best team in the country. Nick Satan, I mean Saban is a masterful
coach. Their defense just smothered a Florida team. Thoroughly enjoyed watching
Will "Ive been a gator all my life, except when I walked on a Georgia, earned a scholarship
and played for four years, when no other team in America would touch me" Muschamp get
it handed to him.

[Evanescence II]

04:43 PM on 10/02/2011

AMEN! Bama has been the most consistent in the SEC from year to year....imho.

[Quitcherbichin]

06:25 PM on 10/02/2011

I bleed purple and gold....but I must say that Les Miles is more lucky than good. I have no doubt that when LSU and Bama play on Nov. 5. Saban will give miles a coaching lesson....although I doubt it will sink in.