Miami moves past Ohio State in AP poll
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Football Writer
September 7, 2003
Once again, Miami is ahead of Ohio State.
The Hurricanes used a thrilling 23-point comeback against rival Florida to move past the Buckeyes into the No. 2 spot in The Associated Press college football poll released Sunday.
Ohio State trailed Miami in the poll all last season until beating the Hurricanes for the national title in the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes fell a spot after narrowly escaping with a 16-13 win over 32-point underdog San Diego State. Ohio State lost 17 first-place votes in balloting by the panel of sports writers and broadcasters.
Oklahoma strengthened its grip on the top spot following a 20-13 win at Alabama, garnering 47 of the 63 firsts and 1,549 points.
Miami received two first-place votes and was second with 1,448 points. Ohio State, which has a nation-long 16-game winning streak, got eight firsts.
Southern California and Michigan rounded out the Top Five, with the Trojans getting four firsts and the Wolverines two.
Texas, Kansas State, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Florida State round out the Top 10. The Seminoles flip-flopped with Pittsburgh, which is now 11th.
The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had the same top four as the AP poll. Texas was fifth in the coaches poll.
Three teams dropped out of the poll following a day on which four ranked teams lost to unranked opponents. Auburn, which began the year No. 6, dropped out after its second straight loss to open the season, 17-3 to Georgia Tech. The Tigers, who were 17th, haven't scored a touchdown this season.
Purdue fell from 16th to out of the poll following a 27-26 loss to Bowling Green, and Virginia dropped from 15th after a 31-7 loss to South Carolina. The Cavaliers were playing without quarterback Matt Schaub, who is sidelined with a separated right shoulder.
Wake Forest, Iowa and South Carolina moved into the poll for the first time this season. The Demon Deacons (2-0) debuted at 20 following a 38-24 win over then-No. 14 North Carolina State, which fell to 24th. The Hawkeyes (2-0) are 23rd following a 56-7 win over Buffalo, and the Gamecocks (2-0) are 25th after their win over Virginia.
Following Pittsburgh in the poll are LSU, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Colorado, Nebraska, Florida and Wake Forest.
Washington, TCU, Iowa, North Carolina State and South Carolina round out the Top 25.
The Big 12 has five teams in the poll, including three in the Top 10. The SEC also has five and the Big Ten has four ranked teams.
