Well, Ohio State's inconsistent play against Michigan State didn't cost itself the No. 2 ranking in the two most respected meaningless polls in the country.
The Associated Press agreed also agreed with the Coaches Poll: It will be a top-5 matchup in Columbus next week when No. 2 Ohio State hosts No. 3 Michigan.
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Clemson round out the playoff field, as the AP sees it. Penn State at No. 8 gives the Big Ten four teams in The Top 10. According to Ralph Drusso, this is the first time the Big Ten placed three teams in the top five since 1960.
Houston, unranked last week, vaulted to No. 18 after shelling then No. 3 Louisville last Saturday.
The full poll:
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS | 1st VOTES | PREV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALABAMA | 11-0 | 1,525 | 61 | 1 |
| 2 | OHIO STATE | 10-1 | 1,455 | – | 2 |
| 3 | MICHIGAN | 10-1 | 1,370 | – | 4 |
| 4 | CLEMSON | 10-1 | 1,347 | – | 5 |
| 5 | WISCONSIN | 9-2 | 1,255 | – | 6 |
| 6 | WASHINGTON | 10-1 | 1,220 | – | 7 |
| 7 | OKLAHOMA | 9-2 | 1,169 | – | 8 |
| 8 | PENN STATE | 9-2 | 1,091 | – | 9 |
| 9 | COLORADO | 9-2 | 997 | – | 12 |
| 10 | OKLAHOMA STATE | 9-2 | 868 | – | 13 |
| 11 | LOUISVILLE | 9-2 | 830 | – | 3 |
| 12 | USC | 8-3 | 811 | – | 15 |
| 13 | FLORIDA | 8-2 | 703 | – | 21 |
| 14 | WESTERN MICHIGAN | 11-0 | 701 | – | 14 |
| 15 | FLORIDA STATE | 8-3 | 661 | – | 17 |
| 16 | AUBURN | 8-3 | 613 | – | 18 |
| 17 | NEBRASKA | 9-2 | 593 | – | 19 |
| 18 | HOUSTON | 9-2 | 490 | – | – |
| 19 | WEST VIRGINIA | 8-2 | 448 | – | 10 |
| 20 | BOISE STATE | 10-1 | 389 | – | 22 |
| 21 | UTAH | 8-3 | 280 | – | 11 |
| 22 | TEXAS A&M | 8-3 | 253 | – | 23 |
| 23 | WASHINGTON STATE | 8-3 | 186 | – | 20 |
| 24 | TENNESSEE | 8-3 | 133 | – | – |
| 25 | LSU | 6-4 | 84 | – | 16 |
