Poll stays steady heading into big weekend
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Football Writer
October 5, 2003
The top six teams remained the same in the latest Associated Press college football poll heading into a weekend of big showdowns.
Oklahoma extended its season-long run atop the poll following a 53-7 victory over Iowa State and heads into the Red River Shootout against No. 11 Texas ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1987.
Miami was second in the Top 25 released Sunday following a 22-20 escape against West Virginia last Thursday night. Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and LSU follow the Hurricanes in the poll.
The Sooners received 59 of the 65 first-place votes and 1,617 points in balloting by the panel of sports writers and broadcasters. The Hurricanes got one first and 1,523 points. The Buckeyes got the remaining five first-place votes.
Arkansas, Georgia, Southern California and Nebraska round out the Top 10.
The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had the same top six teams as the AP.
There should be more movement in the poll next week with five games between ranked opponents upcoming.
The biggest features Miami at Florida State, the first time in 10 years both teams will be in the top 5 for their annual rivalry.
There's also Oklahoma against Texas, Ohio State at No. 23 Wisconsin, Georgia at No. 13 Tennessee and No. 20 Michigan at No. 17 Minnesota.
Following Texas in the second 10 are Washington State, Tennessee, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Northern Illinois and Minnesota. Purdue and TCU are tied for 18th and Michigan is 20th.
Michigan State, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Virginia and Oregon State round out the Top 25.
Florida, Washington and Oregon all dropped out of the poll while Wisconsin, Virginia and Oregon State moved into the rankings.
Michigan had the biggest drop, falling 11 spots from No. 9 after a 30-27 loss to Iowa. The Hawkeyes made the biggest jump, moving up nine places.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven teams in the poll, followed by four apiece from the SEC and Big 12. The Big East and Pac-10 each had three teams and the ACC had two.
