Sports
AP Top 25: The SEC dominates the top of the rankings as Michigan and Notre Dame tumble
The top 10 in the AP Top 25 has two new faces after Week 2.
Tennessee jumped seven spots to No. 7 after its 51-10 demolition of NC State on Saturday night. Miami is the other newcomer after beating FCS opponent Florida A&M. The Vols and Hurricanes take the place of Notre Dame and Michigan after the two traditional powerhouses lost in Week 2.
Notre Dame dropped 13 spots to No. 18 after losing 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois on Saturday. The Huskies were 28.5-point underdogs but are at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 after the win.
Michigan fell to No. 17 after losing 31-12 at home to Texas. The Longhorns moved up to No. 2 behind Georgia and ahead of Ohio State, which drops to No. 3.
Thanks to Tennessee’s move up the rankings, the SEC has six of the top seven teams in the poll this week. Alabama is at No. 4 after pulling away from South Florida in the fourth quarter and Ole Miss is at No. 5. Missouri moved up to No. 6 after its second consecutive shutout to start the season. The Tigers beat Buffalo 38-0.
Penn State, Oregon and Miami round out the top 10. The Ducks fell two spots to No. 9 after they needed a late field goal to topple Boise State 37-34 late Saturday night. Oregon started the season at No. 3 in the AP Top 25.
LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame and Clemson are the only four teams in the poll who have suffered losses so far this season. The Tigers from the SEC are at No. 16 and the Tigers from the ACC moved up to No. 22 after absolutely throttling Appalachian State in Week 2. In addition to Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Nebraska and Boston College are newcomers to the top 25 this week.
AP Top 25
1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Missouri
7. Tennessee
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Miami
11. USC
12. Utah
13. Oklahoma State
14. Kansas State
15. Oklahoma
16. LSU
17. Michigan
18. Notre Dame
19. Louisville
20. Arizona
21. Iowa State
22. Clemson
23. Nebraska
24. Boston College
25. Northern Illinois