Irish #4 in AP

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Horns rise to No. 2 before game vs. No. 1 OSU

<HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Associated Press

As if Ohio State at Texas wasn't already a big enough game, now it's No. 1 vs. No. 2.

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The Longhorns moved up one spot to No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, right behind the top-ranked Buckeyes.

The two powerhouses will square off in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, a much-anticipated rematch of last year's 25-22 victory by Texas in Columbus, Ohio.

It'll be the first time since 1996 that the top two teams in the AP poll will meet in a regular-season game. That year, No. 2 Florida State beat No. 1 Florida 24-21 in mid-November. The Gators and Seminoles met in a rematch in the Sugar Bowl about 1½ months later, and Florida won 52-20 to earn its only national championship.


Southern California moved up three spots to No. 3 in this week's first regular-season media poll, and Notre Dame slipped two places to No. 4 after a 14-10 victory at Georgia Tech. The Fighting Irish share the fourth spot with Auburn.


Ohio State received 39 first-place votes and 1,568 points in the poll after opening its season with a 35-12 win over Northern Illinois. Texas, which began its season with a 56-7 win over North Texas, received seven first-place votes and 1,453 points.

Southern California and Auburn each received three first-place votes; Notre Dame got eight; and No. 6 West Virginia had five. The rest of the Top 10 is Florida, LSU, Florida State -- up two spots after a 13-10 win over Miami on Monday night -- and Michigan.

No. 11 Tennessee made the biggest jump, rising 12 spots after a 35-18 victory over California. Cal, which had its best preseason ranking in more than 50 years, fell from No. 9 to No. 22 after the meltdown in Knoxville.

Miami slipped five spots to No. 17.

Last year's meeting between Texas and Ohio State was the first between the two storied programs. The Longhorns' comeback victory, led by Vince Young, allowed them to clear a major hurdle on the way to their first outright national title since 1969.

That was also the year Texas was last involved in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular-season matchup. Texas beat Arkansas in 1969 in one of the most famous games in that rivalry.

The Longhorns are 4-0 in No. 1 against No. 2 games, the latest coming last season when they beat USC in the Rose Bowl for the national title as the second-ranked team.

Ohio State is 2-0 in 1-2 games, the last coming in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. The No. 2 Buckeyes beat top-ranked Miami in that game to win their last national title.

There were no new teams in the Top 25. The only ranked teams to lose on the opening weekend were Cal and Miami.

Georgia came in at No. 12, followed by Louisville, Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Miami, Clemson, Penn State and Oregon. The 19th-ranked Nittany Lions play at Notre Dame in Saturday's other marquee game.

The final five in the rankings were Nebraska, Cal, TCU, Texas Tech and Arizona State.

 

[BGIF]

Here's the Poll but note the won-lost record is shown as 0-0. The points and first place votes match the article above. ND is 2 points behind USC. Auburn is tied for 4th with ND. The Nits are #19. UM #10, GT is #29

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD>Week 1 AP Top 25</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>1. Ohio State (39) 0-0 1,568</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>2. Texas (7) 0-0 1,453</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>3. USC (3) 0-0 1,410</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>4. Notre Dame (8) 0-0 1,408</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>4. Auburn (3) 0-0 1,408</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>6. West Virginia (5) 0-0 1,356</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>7. Florida 0-0 1,191</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>8. LSU 0-0 1,185</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>9. Florida State 0-0 1,130</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>10. Michigan 0-0 841</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>11. Tennessee 0-0 839</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>12. Georgia 0-0 836</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>13. Louisville 0-0 820</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>14. Iowa 0-0 800</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>15. Oklahoma 0-0 725</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>16. Virginia Tech 0-0 673</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>17. Miami (FL) 0-0 624</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>18. Clemson 0-0 564</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>19. Penn State 0-0 467</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>20. Oregon 0-0 436</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>21. Nebraska 0-0 358</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>22. California 0-0 212</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>23. TCU 0-0 198</TD><TR class=evenrow><TD>24. Texas Tech 0-0 196</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>25. Arizona State 0-0 134</TD><TR class=oddrow><TD>OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
Alabama 96, Wisconsin 35, UCLA 29, Georgia Tech 27, Boise St 25, South Carolina 13, A&M 11, BC 11, Pitt 9, Purdue 9, Rutgers 7, Tulsa 7, Arizona 6, Fresno St 3, Missouri 3, UTEP 2.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[irishnd31]

Wow, we play a University with "tradition" and win. OSU and Texas play below average teams, win huge and are considered #s 1 and 2. Do you think that this is a marketing strategy for the game this week or what? We'll get it back regardless after this weekend, but why should we drop 2 spots after a win?

USC didn't beat the University of Titans and Gods this past weekend. They beat Arkansas (a team less talented than GT IMHO). What constitutes them moving ahead of us?

 

[AZIRISHFAN]

Not shocked they bumped up Texas. Helps them sell the #1 vs #2 game. Plus, we did "struggle" against GA.Tech while these team showed off their super powers by playing SouthWestern Tech State. Well, atleast one of them will be bumped after the weekend.

 

[A2McGowan]

The AP poll is pure subjective crap and it always has been. Writer's and there ridiculous agendas......

 

[nayers]

it doesnt bother me. If we win the rest of our games then the AP will have choice but to put us at 1 or 2 to play in the BCS championship game. Our fate is in our own hands, the only reason OSU and UT are like that is to promote a 1 vs 2 game...it sounds more appealing than 1 vs 3

 

[lattedatte]

I think we are fairly ranked after week 1..

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

I thought we would slip to #3 but #4? We didnt struggle against Ball State, it was Georgia Tech at their place.

 

[KMac151993]

Bottom line...we win all our games it doesn't matter where the AP Poll had us in week 2 of the season. Plus it takes some of the target off our backs.

 

[Irish Envy]

Bottom line...we win all our games it doesn't matter where the AP Poll had us in week 2 of the season. Plus it takes some of the target off our backs.

It does if two teams are ranked ahead of us in both polls and run the table.

 

[rontdtarchala]

latta I agree, if we had made both field goals I think that would have made it more difficult to demote us...just IMHO

 

[AZIRISHFAN]

It does if two teams are ranked ahead of us in both polls and run the table.

But, of the teams ahead of us. 1 will fall this week when they play each other and the 3rd team we get a shot at come the end of the season.

 

[scooper]

But, of the teams ahead of us. 1 will fall this week when they play each other and the 3rd team we get a shot at come the end of the season.

Bingo.

Besides, an undefeated ND will always get a crack at the title. Arrogant? Maybe. But that's the case.

It makes no sense to lament fluctuations in polls in early September. The team needs to take it one game at a time and not worry about crap like this. If, by taking it one game at a time, they win one game at a time-their final game will be for the title.

 

[vbird53]

But, of the teams ahead of us. 1 will fall this week when they play each other and the 3rd team we get a shot at come the end of the season.

Agreed. The Irish hold their National Title hopes in our hands. If we win out, we will absolutely be in the title game. Guaranteed.

(BTW, this is my first ever post on your site, been reading for awhile, though.)

 

[domerfor life]

Here's what I'm tripping on. I could care less about the No. 4 ranking. SC did look better than us this week. However, these are some of the same writers who were constantly mentioning GT's ability to get up for the big game and pull the upset. They beat Auburn last year. They beat Miami last year in Miami. Miami had lost one game to that point. They constantly mentioned these games. True to form, GTech plays up to its competition, we still win (albeit by 4 pts) and then they drop us. That is so double-standard. Maybe we should play the first game against Sisters of the Poor like everyone else. Why play a decent team who can expose your flaws before the big boys come to town? You know expose what needs to be improved. That's just total nonsense. However, it is better to impress the voters by scheduling a lowly 1-A or 1-AA team and drilllng them. Whatever. We will be 4-0 this month.

 

[Irish_Football_Fan]

Maybe this isn't such a bad thing...maybe we'll play with a bit of a chip on our shoulder this weekend.

And I absolutely agree that the polls really don't matter that much this early, but do you think we could jump Auburn or USC in the polls next week if we crush PSU?

 

[Guest]

Nice to see Michigan moved up about 4 spots after their sloppy win over Vandy.

It sucks that we get punished for playing good teams the opening week of the season, had we played G Tech later in the season we probably would've had a more comfortable win. Maybe we should think about moving that Navy game up to week one so we have the luxury of a warmup game like everyone else...

Oh well let everyone else have their exibition games, we've been battle tested already, poor psu doesn't know whats in store for them

 

[Sweeney6083]

Weird

Weird

This is so stupid. The reason we dropped to 4 and 5 is because we won by 2 1/2 points less then the spread? Why did't USC drop last year after almost losing to Fresno State or us(since we are not that good). I thought the polls never change the first week since no one ever plays anyone. I am outraged and I hope Brady is too. He needs to wake up the team and make sure PSU knows that there is no happiness in South Bend Valley. I am going to call Charlie later today to make sure he is using this as ammo for practice everyday this week. Ok my blood pressure just came down. Go IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

It does if two teams are ranked ahead of us in both polls and run the table.

yeah,i can't very easily think we can run the table and noone else can.
If we step it up and some others don't do so well... maybe the favor will be returned.Gets harder to drop someone with a win later in the year though.

 

[knute]

This is so stupid. The reason we dropped to 4 and 5 is because we won by 2 1/2 points less then the spread? Why did't USC drop last year after almost losing to Fresno State or us(since we are not that good).

The AP poll has nothing to do with being fair. Nobody has to give any reasons or explanation. We dropped because the writers think that Texas and USC are better than Notre Dame right now. It's their opinion.

It's like if you asked me which is better, chocolate or strawberry ice cream. I would say strawberry. Next week, I might say chocolate even though nothing has changed but my opinion. Is this unfair to strawberry ice cream?

Maybe, but now it's up to strawberry to change my mind by winning the rest of the games!!

 

[ND Lifer]

Let's face it. We really didn't play that well and, therefore, we gave the ND haters an excuse to drop us down, which they did.

I hope Charlie changes his mind about not running up scores. Whenever we have the chance we should do it, especially against top notch competition, not the academies, because thats how the ratings game seems to be played.

 

[Irish Legend]

Plus they want a #1 Vs. #2 showdown this weekend in Austin. How else does a Texas team that beat North Texas or USC beating a sorry Arkansas team move up? It's all hype and makes college football more interesting to casual watchers of CFB.

 

[maison bleu]

It does if two teams are ranked ahead of us in both polls and run the table.

OSU v Texas--one or the other loses, guaranteed
ND plays USC

Therefore, if ND wins all their games, they'll be the second highest undefeated team. Unless another unbeaten overtakes them. Hard to see who that would be. Auburn? WV? Ha. Fat chance.

The polls at this point in the season are beauty contests. And ND's win was ugly. Plus, I don't think GT is all that good. If they were in the Big Ten, they's be Sparty.

 

[BGIF]

...

It's like if you asked me which is better, chocolate or strawberry ice cream. I would say strawberry. Next week, I might say chocolate even though nothing has changed but my opinion. ...

Sounds like the impeccable logic expressed by both candidates in the last Presidential election.

 

[mirertobrooks]

No need to worry kids, strength of schedule will put us in the top two at the end of the year, there could be 4 or 5 unbeatens whatever. If you really think they'll keep ND out of the BCS Championship if there are more then 2 unbeatens your crazy. Sometimes it's a big advantage to get hated on so much, FOX wouldn't allow it. It would roll by last years ratings, I don't care if we play Louisville. We get by our first 7, coast for games 8-11 with no injuries, play the game of our life vs the condoms, no way we are denied.

 

[Stealingshrimp]

Wait, you guys think we should remain #2? We were a penalty machine, our better than God offense looked mediocre.

 

[jiggafini19]

These games are going to be way too emotional. I can see it already after one game, a victory no less.

I am already sick of ND Football after three days from the season's start.

Get a grip and let's relax for the next 11 games.

 

[73english]

So What?

So What?

Dropping us down to #4 may be a good thing, since the team hasn't hit its stride yet and maybe they have been reading too many clips. We are miles ahead of both PSU and Michigan because we played a team that really challenged us and now we have a real week's experience under our belt instead of hardly any rushing against the mighty Zips of Akron. I hope we are looking everywhere, including the ladies' soccer team, for a reliable place kicker. Before the season is over a three-pointer will be do or die!

 

[Sir John]

jigga great words of wisdom. We got 11 games to go. Lets play them let them play theres. Why worry unless we lose one?

 

[domerfor life]

The writers clearly did this for hype. 1 vs 2 adds more hype to the game. It's kind of empty to me seeing as how you moved a team that won down two slots. Sorry for playing someone with a pulse. Mr. McCoy will get his jock handed to him this weekend. OSU will win this weekend. Guess what.....so will we. If the offense looks the same this game, then I'll worry. I don't think that will happen. Brady is not happy and he will be ready Saturday.