Alabama, Ohio State strengthen spots in polls

Alabama and Ohio State regained their top spots in the AP and USA Today polls. And in the process, created some distance from No. 3 Boise State.

The Crimson Tide, fresh off a 24-3 win over Penn State, is No. 1 in both polls. Ohio State, a 36-24 winner over Miami (Fla.), is No. 2 in both polls.

Boise State remains No. 3, but the Broncos lost some ground in both polls. The Broncos have just one first-place vote in the AP poll. Boise State didn't get any first-place votes in the USA Today poll and trails Ohio State by 132 points.

The Broncos didn't play this week, while Alabama and Ohio State both played top 25 teams. That certainly explains Boise State losing some ground. But Virginia Tech's stunning 21-16 loss at home to FCS member James Madison likely also played a factor. Boise State had to rally to beat the Hokies 33-30 on Monday night.

It's worth noting that Michigan, led by super sophomore Denard Robinson, is ranked in both polls (No. 20 in AP, No. 22 in USA Today).

Teams out of the polls (bad week for the ACC)

AP: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia
USA Today: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia, BYU

Biggest drops this week

AP: Miami (Fla.) fell five sports to No. 17 after the loss to the Buckeyes
USA Today: Penn State fell six sports to No. 20 after the to the Crimson Tide

Biggest jumps this week

AP: South Carolina, a 17-6 winner over Georgia on Saturday, jumped 11 spots to No. 13
USA Today: South Carolina jumped nine spots for No. 16

AP

1. Alabama (52)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Boise State (1)
4. TCU
5. Oregon
6. Texas (1)
7. Oklahoma
8. Nebraska
9. Iowa
10. Florida
11. Wisconsin
12. Arkansas
13. South Carolina
14. Utah
15. LSU
16. Auburn
17. Miami (Fla.)
18. USC
19. Stanford
20. Michigan
21. West Virginia
22. Penn State
23. Houston
24. Arizona State
25. Oregon State

USA Today

1. Alabama (55)
2. Ohio State (4)
3. Boise State
4. Texas
5. TCU
6. Oregon
7. Florida
8. Nebraska
9. Oklahoma
10. Iowa
11. Wisconsin
12. LSU
13. Arkansas
14. Utah
15. Auburn
16. South Carolina
17. Miami (Fla.)
18. Arizona
19. Stanford
20. Penn State
21. West Virginia
22. Michigan
23. Houston
24. California
25. Missouri