The USA Today coaches’ poll gave Northern Illinois a little nudge that could end up giving the Huskies a BCS berth in the Orange Bowl. Maybe.
The Associated Press poll? It doesn’t matter in the BCS, but it does crown its own national champion. Notre Dame and Alabama, as expected, hold down the top two spots while Ohio State comes in at No. 3. The undefeated Buckeyes are ineligible for a BCS because of NCAA sanctions but could win or share an AP title at the end of the season.
Florida and Oregon round out the AP top five, and Georgia falls three spots to No. 6 after its loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game. Kansas State comes in at No. 7, Stanford at No. 8, LSU at No. 9 and Texas A&M at No. 10. Oklahoma, which will have a share of the Big 12 title, comes in at No. 12 and has a Sugar Bowl berth on the line depending on where Northern Illinois ranks in the BCS later tonight.
The Huskies come in at No. 16 in the AP poll. Utah State jumps up two spots to No. 18 and Boise State jumps five spots to No. 20. Nebraska drops nine spots to No. 23, San Jose State checks in at No. 24 and Kent State stays in the top 25 at the final spot.
