A week of upsets shook up the polls, and altered things just before the first BCS standings came out. There were seven upsets in the eight losses by ranked teams, including three members of the top 10, and three undefeated teams.
#1 Ohio St.'s 31-18 loss at #18 Wisconsin, the second double digit road loss by the top ranked team in as many weeks, had the greatest impact. As a result, Oregon, who didn't play, moved to the top of the AP & Sports Information Director's polls, and Boise St. followed close behind, moving into the #2 spot.
But the first BCS ranking of the season elevated Oklahoma over both the unbeaten western teams.
Stanford also benefited by all the losses in the top ten, and moved up to #12 in the AP poll, and also debuted at #12 in the BCS, while safely not playing. Previously #5 Nebraska dropped to #14 after their 20-13 home loss to Texas, and then #10 South Carolina slipped to #19 following a second half collapse that saw Kentucky defeat the Gamecocks 31-28.
The only other Pac-10 team to be ranked is Arizona. The Wildcats downed Washington St. 24-7 in Pullman, and moved up from #17 to #15 in the AP poll. The 'Cats are #18 in the BCS. Arizona did lose QB Nick Foles for what is estimated to be at least a couple of weeks after suffering a knee injury.
USC just missed out on moving back into the AP top 25, and is the at #26, five points behind Miami, after destroying Cal 48-14.
Oregon St. fell from being #24 to #34, in the "Others receiving votes" category as a result of their 35-34 loss at Washington. It was an especially inconvenient loss for the Beavers, as previously unbeaten Nevada, #19 last week, #22 Florida, and #23 Air Force all fell out of the top 25 following losses. A win in Seattle would have moved Oregon St. up, possibly into the top 20.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com