SPORTS

Michigan up to second in AP poll

Detroit News staff and wires
Michigan's Eddie McDoom evades Illinois defensive back Stanley Green during a first-quarter run.

Michigan, following its 41-8 victory over Illinois and Ohio State’s surprising 24-21 loss to Penn State, improved to second from third in this week’s Associated Press college football poll.

The Buckeyes fell from second to sixth after the big upset in State College, Pa.

Alabama remained No. 1, Clemson is third, Washington is fourth and Louisville is fifth.

Alabama received all but one of the 61 first-place votes by the media panel. Michigan once again received one first-place vote.

The Big Ten has three teams in the top 10, as Nebraska moved from eighth to seventh.

Western Michigan beat Eastern Michigan and maintained its No. 20 ranking.

Other poll notables:

* Louisville moved up to No. 5 ahead of the Buckeyes, who blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in their loss to the Nittany Lions.

* Penn State entered the rankings at No. 24 after being last ranked on Dec. 4, 2011. It had gone four full seasons without being ranked, the longest string of seasons without a ranking since the Nittany Lions made their first poll appearance in 1940.

* No. 15 Auburn moved up six spots after the second-most lopsided SEC victory in the history of the program. The Tigers beat Arkansas 56-3 and have won four straight since a 1-2 start.

* No. 19 LSU moved up six spots after trouncing Mississippi.

* Washington matched its best ranking since finishing No. 3 in 2000.

* Houston tumbled out of the rankings for the first time this season after getting routed by SMU. The fall from No. 15 to unranked is tied for the fifth-largest drop since the rankings went to a Top 25 in 1989.

In the Amway college football coaches’ poll, Michigan improved to second from fourth. Ohio State fell from second to eighth. The top five are the same as the AP poll.

Western Michigan fell one spot to No. 21 despite remaining perfect at 8-0 with the win over EMU.

Charboneau’s AP vote: UM 3rd, WMU holds at 18th

ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL

1. Alabama, 8-0

2. Michigan, 7-0

3. Clemson, 7-0

4. Washington, 7-0

5. Louisville, 6-1

6. Ohio State, 6-1

7. Nebraska, 7-0

8. Baylor, 6-0

9. Texas A&M, 6-1

10. West Virginia, 6-0

11. Wisconsin, 5-2

12. Florida State, 5-2

13. Boise State, 7-0

14. Florida, 5-1

15. Auburn, 5-2

16. Oklahoma, 5-2

17. Utah, 7-1

18. Tennessee, 5-2

19. LSU, 5-2

20. Western Michigan, 8-0

21. North Carolina, 6-2

22. Navy, 5-1

23. Colorado, 6-2

24. Penn State, 5-2

25. Virginia Tech, 5-2

Others receiving votes: Washington St. 84, Houston 67, Oklahoma State 62, Arkansas 14, Troy 6, Southern Cal 5, San Diego State 2, Pittsburgh 2, SMU 1.

AMWAY COACHES’ POLL

1. Alabama, 8-0

2. Michigan, 7-0

3. Clemson, 7-0

4. Washington, 7-0

5. Louisville, 6-1

6. Nebraska, 7-0

6. Baylor, 6-0

8. Ohio State, 6-1

9. West Virginia, 6-0

10. Texas A&M, 6-1

11. Wisconsin, 5-2

12. Florida, 5-1

13. Boise State, 7-0

14. Florida State, 5-2

15. Oklahoma, 5-2

16. Utah, 7-1

17. Auburn, 5-2

18. Tennessee, 5-2

19. Louisiana State, 5-2

20. North Carolina, 6-2

21. Western Michigan, 8-0

22. Navy, 5-1

23. Colorado, 6-2

24. Houston, 6-2

25. Virginia Tech, 5-2

Dropped out: No. 17 Arkansas, No. 22 Mississippi.

Others receiving votes: Washington State 93; Penn State 80; Oklahoma State 64; San Diego State 15; Arkansas 11; Southern California 7; Troy 6; Miami (Fla.) 5; Mississippi 3; Middle Tennessee 3; South Florida 3; Pittsburgh 2; Tulsa 2; Appalachian State 2; Wyoming 1.