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Clemson is again number 2 in the Associated Press college football poll, behind Alabama, first place in the standings, after winning a convincing win and the first defeat of the Ohio State season.
The Crimson Tide is a No. 1 unanimously, with the 61 first-place votes, for the first time this season. Ohio State lost nine places in 11th place after being upset by Purdue.
After an unhinged victory over NC State, Clemson earned a place to replace the Buckeyes. Clemson had only Alabama's lineup in the pre-season standings, but a couple of tight wins in September, combined with seemingly impressive performances by other top-ranked teams, led Clemson to fourth place.
Notre Dame is No. 3 and LSU is No. 4, setting the stage for a top-five match between the Tigers and Crimson Tide in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Nov. 3. Both have an undefined date this week. Michigan completes the top five after beating Michigan State.
The tide and tigers continue to go to a rematch, with both teams stronger than ever.
The first defeat of the Ohio State season against Purdue not only dealt a blow to the Buckeyes playoff summary, it also revived other hopes of a defeat.
Michigan and Oklahoma push the Tigers out of the top five despite a victory over the Mississippi. Questions remain about LSU's passing attack.
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The State of Appalachia, No. 25, is ranked in the AP poll for the first time in the history of the school. The Mountaineers (5-1) have not lost since the opening of the season with an overtime loss to Penn State.
App State moved to the BSF, the highest level in Division I, in 2014, after years in power. Under former coach Jerry Moore, the Mountaineers were regular in the playoffs. The program culminated in the mid-2000s, winning three consecutive FCS (Division I-AA) championships from 2005 to 2007. And, the most memorable, App State has caused one of the most stunning setbacks in football history against Michigan in 2007.
Moore retired after the 2012 season and was replaced by former quarterback and App State Assistant Coach, Scott Satterfield. The upward movement in class and in the sunshine belt was virtually seamless. The Mountaineers are 46-23 under Satterfield, with two Sun Belt titles. The only other Sun Belt team to be ranked was Troy on November 13, 2016.
The team this season had to compete for another conference championship. One could argue that even the high expectations were exceeded after replacing the four-year-old quarterback, Taylor Lamb, and most of his defensive front seven. Since their fall to Penn State, the Mountaineers have outperformed their opponents. 49.
Elsewhere in the poll, No. 14 Washington State was the only major driver to move up the rankings this week, winning 11 spots after beating Oregon, who lost seven places to 19th.
No. 22 NC State lost six places after losing for the first time this season.
No. 23 Utah is ranked for the first time this season. It's been five years in a row that the Utes started the season unclassified, but moved up the rankings at some point. From 2014-2016, Utah started the season outside the Top 25 but finished ranked. Utah has won three straight, scoring at least 40 points in each game.
No. 24 Stanford is back in the standings after a crash two weeks ago, while Michigan State and Mississippi State are out of the standings after losing for the third time this season. And the first loss of the Cincinnati season, in overtime against Temple, cost the Bearcats their first ranking since 2012.
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