Alabama and Ohio State remained first and second, respectively, in the fourth week of the Gator Country.com Top 25 college football poll and the Florida Gators remained sixth.
But once again there was an upheaval in the Top 10 with Boise State and Oklahoma again exchanging places somewhat. A week ago, Boise State, which was third in the second poll, dropped to 10th in large part because of a surprising loss to Division I-AA James Madison by first-week Broncos foe Virginia Tech. Oklahoma, meanwhile, went from 10th to third after its lopsided home victory against Florida State.
Alabama (3-0) received 35 of the 40 first-place votes cast and had a 965-904 edge in points over Ohio State (3-0), which got two first-place votes. Boise State (1) and Florida (2) got the other first-place votes from the GC.com Top 25 panel of subscribers.
This week, Boise State was up to fourth place after a 51-6 victory at Wyoming last Saturday, while Oklahoma’s 27-24 victory over visiting Air Force sent the Sooners from third to ninth in the poll.
Replacing Oklahoma in third place was Oregon, which scored a 69-0 victory over Division I-AA Portland State. Nebraska climbed three spots to No. 5 this week following an impressive 56-21 victory at Washington. Then came the Gators, who escaped Tennessee with a 31-17 victory. Texas Christian remained seventh, Texas fell three spots to eighth, Oklahoma was ninth and South Carolina was up a spot to 10th.
The second 10, in order, are Arkansas, Louisiana State, Wisconsin, Auburn, Utah, Stanford, Arizona, Iowa, Michigan and Miami, Fla. West Virginia was No. 21, Penn State No. 22, Michigan State No. 23, Oregon No. 24 and Georgia and Southern California shared No. 25.
The Southeastern Conference is presented by seven teams in the Top 25: No. 1 Alabama, No. 6 Florida, No. 10 South Carolina, No. 11 Arkansas, No. 12 Louisiana State, No. 14 Auburn and No. 25 Georgia. The Big Ten is represented by six teams (No. 2 Ohio State, No. 13 Wisconsin, No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Michigan, No. 22 Penn State and No. 23 Michigan State).
Among the top games this week is the Saturday battle in Fayetteville, Ark., between No. 1 Alabama and No. 11 Arkansas. Another key game has No. 24 Oregon State paying a visit to No. 4 Boise State. Another key matchup involving Top 25 teams has No. 10 South Carolina paying a visit to No. 14 Auburn Saturday evening. No. 6 Florida puts its 3-0 record on the line against unranked (but receiving votes) and similarly 3-0 Kentucky Saturday evening.
GATOR COUNTRY.com TOP 25
The fourth week of the Gator County.com Top 25 college football poll as determined by GC.com subscribers. A total of 40 pollsters voted this week. Listed are team, first-place votes in parentheses, season record, poll points and last week’s GC.com poll ranking:
Team (FPV) (Rcd) Points LW
1. Alabama (35) (3-0) 965 1
2. Ohio State (2) (3-0) 904 2
3. Oregon (3-0) 794 4
4. Boise State (1) (2-0) 784 10
5. Nebraska (3-0) 780 8
6. Florida (2) (3-0) 768 6
7. Texas Christian (3-0) 755 7
8. Texas (3-0) 737 5
9. Oklahoma (3-0) 725 3
10. South Carolina (3-0) 511 11
11. Arkansas (3-0) 505 17
12. Louisiana State (3-0) 501 14
13. Wisconsin (3-0) 477 12
14. Auburn (3-0) 416 16
15. Utah (3-0) 389 13
16. Stanford (3-0) 355 15
17. Arizona (3-0) 333 NR
18. Iowa (2-1) 288 9
19. Michigan (3-0) 235 18
20. Miami, Fla. (1-1) 221 19
21. West Virginia (3-0) 169 23
22. Penn State (2-1) 155 20
23. Michigan State (3-0) 124 NR
24. Oregon State (1-1) 92 22
T25. Georgia (1-2) 56 NR
T25. Southern California (3-0) 56 NR
Others receiving votes: Pittsburgh (1-1) 45, Oklahoma State (3-0) 44, Virginia Tech (1-2) 42, Missouri (3-0) 37, Georgia Tech (2-1) 36, North Carolina State (3-0) 32, Clemson (2-1) 29, Florida State (2-1) 28, Kentucky (3-0) 27, North Carolina (0-2) 26, Texas A&M (3-0) 21, Nevada (3-0) 21, Air Force (2-1) 18, Kansas State (3-0) 17, California (2-1) 13, Temple (3-0) 10, Fresno State (2-0) 9, Northwestern (3-0) 6, Houston (2-1) 5, Boston College (2-0) 4, Notre Dame (1-2) 4, Texas Tech (2-1) 4, Arizona State (2-1) 3, Rutgers (2-0) 1.
Gator Country.com would like to thank the following voters for their participation in this week’s poll: flgator01, iowagator, Greater_Gator, feartheswamp2009, Airrailey, swamphappy, GermanyisGatorcountry, samit23, Duffman, palhaco1, mfran70, utahg8r, savannahgator5220, u8evol19i, TwoTeams, Bear1974, fsugatorbait, StuckUpNorthGator, GatorzGuy28, MRG8R, romeg8r, panamacitygator, GatorPrincess8, GatorPJ, RDWGator, GatorDave, wilbur11, mjrgator, OklahomaGator, Gatorbogey, Wuerffel5220, Slayerxing, lancedavis15, gatorbill, ChrisLeakFan4Life, GatorsFan530, gatorjim75, Matthanuf06, belloit, gatorsunshine.