Oregon, Boise 1-2 in AP Poll

[Mooche]

NEW YORK -- The other team from Alabama surged toward the top of the AP poll while another set of Tigers has emerged as the Big 12's unexpected national title contender.

Auburn jumped two spots to No. 3 behind top-ranked Oregon and Boise State in the media poll Sunday, and Missouri vaulted 11 spots to No. 7.

Oregon, which moved to No. 1 for the first time last week and followed up with a 60-13 victory against UCLA on Thursday night, received 44 first-place votes. Boise State had 11, Auburn received three and No. 4 TCU received two.

Auburn has its highest ranking since the Tigers were No. 2 in 2006 after beating LSU 24-17 on Saturday in a matchup of the Southeastern Conference's last unbeaten teams. Quarterback Cameron Newton ran for 217 yards, cementing himself as the Heisman Trophy front-runner.

The Tigers started the season No. 22 and have been climbing steadily since.

Michigan State is fifth and Alabama, last year's champion and the preseason No. 1, is sixth.

Missouri's big move came after the Tigers beat previously undefeated Oklahoma 36-27. The Sooners dropped eight spots to No. 11. Missouri was last ranked this highly in 2007, when the Tigers reached No. 1 and finished the season No. 4.

The rest of the top 10 is Utah, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

No. 25 Baylor (6-2) is ranked for the first time since Sept. 5, 1993, when the Bears were No. 24 for a week.

"It's certainly a step in the right direction, you know," third-year coach Art Briles said Sunday. "Important thing is to be in it when the season's over, that's the important thing, but it's definitely a positive step perception-wise, no doubt."

The Bears beat Kansas State 47-42 Saturday behind quarterback Robert Griffin III to become bowl eligible for the first time since joining the Big 12 in 1996.

"It is a growing point for our football team and for Baylor nation in general," Briles said.

The last time the Bears were ranked for more than a week was 1991, when they were still part of the Southwest Conference. To match that, they'll likely need to win at Texas this Saturday.

Texas fell out of the rankings for the second time this season after being upset at home 28-21 by Iowa State. The last time the Bears and Longhorns played with Baylor ranked and Texas not was Nov. 22, 1986. The Bears beat the 'Horns 18-13 in Waco.

West Virginia also dropped out of the rankings this week after a surprising 19-14 home loss to Syracuse. Southern California moved back in the poll at No. 24, just in time to play No. 1 Oregon at home.

LSU's first loss of the season dropped the Tigers six spots to No. 12. Stanford, Nebraska, and Arizona round out the top 15.

Florida State is 16th, followed by South Carolina, Iowa, Arkansas and Oklahoma State, which lost for the first time this season, 51-41 to Nebraska.

Joining Baylor and USC in the final five were Virginia Tech, Miami and Mississippi State.


Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

What do you guys think of the poll? To be quite honest, I am fine with the top two. You can't leap frog Boise over Oregon, they absolutely embarrassed UCLA, and have shown so much fire power with a decent schedule.

 

[elcheato]

The AP poll is irrelevant now that the BCS standings have gone into effect.

 

[DJT]

I agree with it. I think Bama will finish #5 though, or maybe higher after they beat Auburn.

 

[footballplaya52]

OREGONNN!

 

[Lake Louise]

I'm surprised they finally gave Boise #2. Couldn't have teams leap frog them forever. Although, unless Nevada and/or Hawaii are ranked, when Boise plays them, and the teams in front of them, keep losing, I don't see them moving in the BCS. Although, V-Tech winning games, helps their case a little bit. Yes, the ACC is crap this year, but 6 straight wins isn't something to shrug at.

 

[Mooche]

The AP poll is irrelevant now that the BCS standings have gone into effect.

It is simply another perspective and something to talk about..

VTech losing very early into the season to James Madison, was one of the worst things that could happen for Boise.

 

[jrscfnk]

As a Duck fan, I would personally love to see a rematch of last season with Boise State for the national title. If not that, I'd love to play the winner of the Auburn/Alabama game for the title.

 

[Blake]

Auburn, Alabama > Boise.

 

[jrscfnk]

Auburn, Alabama > Boise.

Totally agreed. But a game between Oregon and Boise State is potentially very entertaining.

 

[Blake]

Possibly, that's why there needs to be a playoff.

 

[Mooche]

Oregon and Boise St. would be one hell of a game. I'd love to see that. Either way though, even if Auburn sneaks into one of those spots, I'll be happy.

 

[Blake]

Sneaks in? LOL. They beat a then top-8 LSU team, have Oregon or Boise?

 

[DJT]

I think the LSU - Bama game this weekend will say a lot about the Auburn and Bama game.

 

[jrscfnk]

I think it'll end up being Oregon vs. the SEC Champ is Oregon can win out, which is definitely not a given. If not, that gives Boise State, TCU or Utah a real shot.

 

[Mooche]

Sneaks in? LOL. They beat a then top-8 LSU team, have Oregon or Boise?

Did I say they didn't deserve it? I am with you that Auburn is one heck of a football team, only thing is really scary is that defense and especially the secondary. However, the hype is really swirling around the exciting teams like Oregon, TCU, Boise State, etc.

 

[DJT]

Man if Utah beats TCU....thats gonna be amazing! I know a guy who plays TE for Utah.

 

[Mooche]

Utah and TCU is probably one of the most anticipated match-ups this weekend. It's going to be a great measuring stick on where to rank these teams.. I hope TCU can keep undefeated.

 

[DJT]

I hope Utah wins. I'd say the other game I'm most looking forward to is BAMA vs LSU. Always a good game. I'm hoping BAMA can keep it together, and actually protect McElroy this game.

 

[Mooche]

I hope Utah wins. I'd say the other game I'm most looking forward to is BAMA vs LSU. Always a good game. I'm hoping BAMA can keep it together, and actually protect McElroy this game.

Yeah, that offensive line let him get roughed up a little bit. If that passing game can come along, look out teams.. They will look to obviously establish the running game early though. That's a given.

Patrick Peterson is one heck of a player.. Love watching LSU, just for him.

 

[DJT]

They need to keep trying to establish the run, even if they are down to. During that loss to SC, they gave up on running the football, and that killed them.