College Football Writer
After impressive performances in two of the young season’s most attractive nonconference showdowns, Oregon jumps to No. 2 in The Associated Press college football poll behind No. 1 Florida State — and ahead of No. 3 Alabama — and Virginia Tech vaults into the rankings at No. 17.
The Ducks pulled away late from Michigan State on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene to beat the Spartans 46-27. Oregon receives 16 first-place votes from the media panel.
Florida State has 38 first-place votes.
Alabama slipped one spot. No. 4 Oklahoma receives two first-place votes. No. 5 Auburn, No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Texas A&M give the Southeastern Conference four of the top seven.
Michigan State slipped six spots to 13th.
Big Ten rival Ohio State dropped to 22nd after losing 35-21 at home to Virginia Tech, which is ranked for the first time since the middle of last season.