AP Top 25: Clemson gobbles up first-place votes, Alabama gets small slice of pie

As expected, the No. 1 Clemson Tigers remain on top of the latest Associated Press Top 25, and they gathered a number of first-place votes previously being awarded to Ohio State. The Tigers received 55 first-place votes in this week’s poll to be the clear number one team in the country according to the voters. No. 2 Alabama moved up one spot and received six first-place votes despite having one loss.

No. 8 Ohio State tumbled six spots in the poll this week, while undefeated No. 3 Iowa was bumped up three spots. No. 6 Michigan State, who handed Ohio State its first loss of the year, was moved up three spots. No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Oklahoma each moved up two spots. No. 7 Baylor moved up three spots as well, while No. 9 Oklahoma State was dropped five following their loss to the Bears. No. 10 Florida dropped two spots after avoiding an overtime upset at home against FAU.

No. 11 North Carolina and No. 12 Michigan each moved up two spots following road victories, and No. 13 Stanford moved up three spots. No. 14 Florida State moved up two spots this week. No. 15 TCU dropped four spots after coming up just shy of stunning Oklahoma. The Horned Frogs remain one spot ahead of No. 16 Navy, the highest-ranked Group of Five program in each of the major polls. Navy is followed by No. 17 Northwestern (up three), No. 18 Oregon (up five), No. 19 Ole Miss (up six) and No. 20 Washington State (up four) in the top 20.

No. 21 Houston fell eight spots but remain ranked after losing at UConn. Houston stays ahead of No. 22 UCLA and No. 23 Mississippi State. Toledo (No. 24) and Temple (No. 25) returned to the AP top 25 this week after previously appearing and dropping out earlier this season.

Here is the latest AP Top 25, with first-place votes noted where applicable.

1. Clemson (55)
2. Alabama (6)
3. Iowa
4. Notre Dame
5. Oklahoma
6. Michigan State
7. Baylor
8. Ohio State
9. Oklahoma State
10. Florida
11. North Carolina
12. Michigan
13. Stanford
14. Florida State
15. TCU
16. Navy
17. Northwestern
18. Oregon
19. Ole Miss
20. Washington State
21. Houston
22. UCLA
23. Mississippi State
24. Toledo
25. Temple

Follow @KevinOnCFB