Associated Press
Alabama’s steady rise in the rankings has left the Crimson Tide with a clear view of No. 1 Florida.
Alabama jumped Texas into second-place behind top-ranked Florida in the AP Top 25 on Sunday, giving the Southeastern Conference the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country.
The Crimson Tide moved up one spot after rolling over Mississippi 22-3. Texas, which had been No. 2 all season, slipped a spot after sputtering early in a 38-14 victory against Colorado.The Gators and Tim Tebow beat LSU 13-3. They have been an overwhelming No. 1 since the preseason, but support for Alabama has steadily grown.
Florida received 50 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel, a season low. The Crimson Tide received 10 first-place votes, up from five last week.
It’s the second time in the past two seasons that Alabama and Florida have held the top two spots in the rankings. Last year, the Crimson Tide was No. 1 and the Gators No. 2 for two weeks before they played in the SEC title game.
Texas for the first time this season did not receive a first-place vote. The Longhorns might be able to get some support back by beating No. 20 Oklahoma on Saturday in the Red River Rivalry.
No. 4 Virginia Tech, No. 5 Boise State and No. 6 Southern California each moved up one spot.
In the battle for Ohio, Ohio State moved up to No. 7 and ahead of No. 8 Cincinnati after a 31-13 victory over previously unbeaten Wisconsin.
The Bearcats, who were idle Saturday and have a Big East showdown with No. 21 South Florida on Thursday night, were ahead of the Buckeyes in the rankings last week for the first time since 1951.
Miami is No. 9 and LSU dropped six spots to No. 10 after its first loss.
In the USA Today coaches’ poll, Florida is No. 1, Texas is No. 2 and Alabama is No. 3.
In the Harris Poll, the top three is the same as the AP poll. The coaches’ poll and Harris poll are used in the BCS standings, which will be released next week for the first time this season.