The Big Ten placed three teams in the top five of The Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 56 years, setting up a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup for Ohio State and Michigan.
Alabama was a unanimous No. 1 in the poll released Sunday . The Buckeyes were No. 2 and Wolverines No. 3. They meet in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday in a game with Big Ten and national championship implications.
Clemson is No. 4, and No. 5 Wisconsin gives the Big Ten three of the first five for the first time since Nov. 7, 1960, when Minnesota was No. 1, Ohio State was No. 3 and Iowa was No. 5.
Louisville dropped eight spots to No. 11 after getting trounced by Houston, which jumped in at No. 18.
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POLL POINTS
The 113th meeting of Michigan and Ohio State will mark the 11th time the rivals will both be ranked in the top five and the first since 2006, when they had their only 1-2 matchup. The Buckeyes won that game 42-39 in Columbus to earn a spot in the BCS title game.
— Alabama’s Nick Saban won his 41st game while coaching a No. 1 team, passing Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Florida State’s Bobby Bowden for the most victories with a top-ranked squad.
IN
Houston began the season ranked No. 15 and made its way to No. 6 as it started 5-0. Losses to Navy and SMU knocked the Cougars from the rankings, but they surged back in after beating the Cardinals 36-10 at home. Those conference losses will keep Houston out of the American Athletic Conference championship game, but the Cougars are the AAC’s only ranked team this week.
— Tennessee moved back in at No. 24.
OUT
— Troy’s first appearance in the rankings last a week. The Trojans dropped out after losing to Arkansas State.
— San Diego State again spent just one week in rankings. Since 1977, the Aztecs are 0-4 as a ranked team.
UP
— No. 13 Florida moved up eight spots after narrowly slipping past LSU with a late goal-line stand.
— No. 9 Colorado, No. 10 Oklahoma State and No. 12 USC all moved up three spots.
DOWN
— No. 19 West Virginia fell nine spots after losing to Oklahoma.
— No. 21 Utah dropped 10 spots after a last-second loss to Oregon.
CONFERENCE CALL
SEC — 6
Pac-12 — 5
Big Ten — 5
ACC — 3
Big 12 — 3
American — 1
MAC — 1
Mountain West — 1
RANKED VS. RANKED
No. 16 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama. The Crimson Tide have already clinched the SEC West and could likely lose and still make the playoff.
No. 3 Michigan at No. 3 Ohio State. Jim Harbaugh vs. Urban Meyer II.
No. 6 Washington at No. 23 Washington State, Friday. The Apple Cup will decide the Pac-12 North.
No. 21 Utah at No. 9 Colorado. The Buffs win the Pac-12 South with a victory. A loss gives the division to USC.
No. 13 Florida at No. 15 Florida State. The Gators and Seminoles both still have hopes to score a major bowl bid.
No. 22 Texas A&M at No. 25 LSU. Beating the Aggies helped Les Miles save his job — temporarily as it turned out — last year. Can another LSU victory against A&M help Ed Orgeron keep coaching the Tigers?
AP TOP 25 POLL
1. Alabama2. Ohio State3. Michicagn4. Clemson5. Wisconsin6. Washington7. Oklahoma8. Penn State
9. Colorado10. Oklahoma State11. Louisville12. USC13. Florida14. Western Michigan15. Florida State16. Auburn17. Nebraska18. Houston19. West Virginia20. Boise State21. Utah22. Texas A&M23. Washington State24. Tennessee25. LSU
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau #13 eludes Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo #30 for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016. Buffs won 38-24.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Ralph the mascot takes the field before the University of Colorado vs. Washington State game at Folsom Field Saturday.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay #23 gets past Washington State Cougars safety Jalen Thompson #34 to score a touchdown in the first quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
University of Colorado cheerleaders implore the fans during a timeout in the game against Washington State at Folsom Field Saturday.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Bryce Bobo catches a pass from quarterback Sefo Liufau (not pictured) against the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at Folsom Field on Nov. 19, 2016.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Washington State wide receiver Tavares Martin Jr. gets tackled from behind by University of Colorado safety Tedric Thompson in the second quarter at Folsom Field Saturday.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk throws a quick pass to the sideline in the second quarter against the University of Colorado at Folsom Field Saturday.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
University of Colorado quarterback Sefo Lirufau scrambles out of the pocket in the second quarter against Washington State at Folsom Field Saturday.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Bryce Bobo gains extra yards with Washington State Cougars cornerback Treshon Broughton in tow in the first quarter at Folsom Field on Nov. 19, 2016. Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo (30) chases.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Phillip Lindsay #23 looks to run through Washington State Cougars linebacker Peyton Pelluer #47 and Washington State Cougars nose tackle Robert Barber #92 in the first quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Devin Ross #2 heads down field for a 21-yard first down against Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo #30 in the second quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
University of Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau runs for a short gain in the fourth quarter against Washington State at Folsom Field.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau #13 gets a first down against Washington State safety Robert Taylor, #2, and Washington State Cougars linebacker Frankie Luvu #51 in the second quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
University of Colorado linebacker Addison Gillam sacks Washington State quarterback Luke Falk in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field Saturday.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
University of Colorado wide receiver Kabion Ento battles for yards after making a catch in the fourth quarter against Washington State at Folsom Field Saturday.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jimmie Gilbert #98 strip sacks Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk #4 in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Addison Gillam #44 eyes the football and eventually recovers a fumble in fourth quarter from Washington State Cougars offensive lineman Cody O'Connell #76 at Folsom Field November 19, 2016. The loose ball was a result of a strip-sack from Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk #4, stripped by Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jimmie Gilbert #98.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes defensive tackle Samson Kafovalu #54 trips up Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk #4 in the third quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay #23 eludes Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo #30 for a long gain for a first down the third quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes place kicker Chris Graham #15 kicks a 46-yard field goal against the Washington State Cougars in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk #4 gets sacked by Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Jordan Carrell #92 with the help of Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jimmie Gilbert #98 in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016. Buffs won 38-24.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay #23 gets swarmed by his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016. Buffs won 38-24.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado University football fans swarmed the field after the Buff defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-24 at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado University football fans swarmed the field after the Buff defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-24 at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado University football fans take a selfie with Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay #23 after the Buffs defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-24 at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau #13 celebrates the Buffs victory over the Washington State Cougars with injured teammate Derek McCartney at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau #13 high-fives fans after defeating the Washington State Cougars at Folsom Field November 19, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau #13 eludes Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo #30 for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter at Folsom Field November 19, 2016. Buffs won 38-24.