Gator Country

Florida’s offensive struggles against Miami (Ohio) in the 2010 season opener did not go unnoticed by the voters in this week’s Associated Press (media) and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls released Tuesday.

The Gators, who overcame the errors that resulted from bad snaps and fumbles (eight total, three lost) to beat the RedHawks 34-12 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, fell from No. 3 to No. 6 in the coaches’ poll and from No. 4 to No. 8 in the media poll.

Preseason favorite and defending BCS champion Alabama remained atop of both polls. In the coaches’ poll, the Crimson Tide garnered 55 of the 59 first-place votes placed by members of the American Football Coaches Association for USA Today and ESPN. Alabama, which opened with a 48-3 victory over San Jose State, had 1,470 points. The other four first-place votes went to second-place Ohio State, which opened with a 45-7 victory over Marshall and was a solid second for a second straight week with 1,397 points.

Boise State, which rallied to stun Virginia Tech, 33-30, Monday night in Landover, Md., jumped from No. 5 to No. 3 in the coaches’ poll with 1,304 points, leapfrogging Texas, which remained No. 4 with 1,264 points after its 34-17 victory over Rice.

Texas Christian jumped from No. 7 to No. 5 with 1,144 points, 14 ahead of the Gators, thanks to its 30-21 victory over Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium. Nebraska was up to spots to No. 7 in the coaches’ poll, followed by Oregon (+3), Iowa (+1) and Oklahoma, which remained at No. 10 with a 31-24 victory over Utah State. Oregon jumped from 11th on the strength of its 72-0 victory over New Mexico.

The second 10 in the coaches’ poll begins with Wisconsin at No. 11 and Miami (Fla.) at No. 12. Virginia Tech fell seven spots to No. 13 following its loss to Boise State. Penn State was No. 14 and Arkansas No. 15. At Nos. 16-19 are Louisiana State, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Georgia. Auburn and Utah shared No. 20, followed by West Virginia at No. 22. Three teams that were not in the Top 25 preseason poll – Arizona, Brigham Young and South Carolina – close out the coaches’ Top 25.

Dropping out of the coaches’ Top 25 were No. 15 Pittsburgh, which lost to Utah 27-24 in overtime; No. 18 North Carolina, which lost to LSU 30-24; and No. 22 Oregon State, which fell to TCU 30-21.

Because Southern California is banned from playing in a postseason bowl by the NCAA, it is not eligible to receive votes this season under AFCA policy

Here is this week’s USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm

AP MEDIA POLL: Boise State’s 33-30 victory over Virginia Tech Monday night helped solidify the Broncos’ No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press poll.

Alabama, which garnered 47 of the 60 first-place votes cast, was solid at No. 1 with 1,484 points, while Ohio State picked up four first-place votes and was second again with 1,412 points.

Texas Christian, which was No. 6 in the preseason poll, moved over Texas to claim the fourth spot with 1,256 points. The Longhorns, who received the final first-place vote, stayed fifth with 1,192 points.

Nebraska jumped to spots to No. 6 with 1,105 points, while Oregon leaped from No. 11 to No. 7 with 1,077 points, 12 more than the Gators, who were No. 8. Iowa stayed at No. 9 with 1,044 points, while Oklahoma fell three spots to No. 10 with 917 points despite its 31-24 victory over Utah State.

The second 10 begins with Wisconsin and Miami (Fla.), with Virginia Tech falling three spots to No. 13 followed by Arkansas and Georgia Tech. Nos. 16-20 were Southern California, Florida State, Penn State, Louisiana State and Utah.

Auburn is No. 21, followed by Georgia, West Virginia, South Carolina and Stanford.

This week’s Associated Press Top 25 media poll is:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/polls/ap

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