A USC loss and a blowout of Tennessee proved to be enough for Georgia to move into the top five of the latest AP poll, released Sunday. The move balances out what was otherwise an awful week for the SEC, as No. 24 Mississippi State fell out after being blown out by Auburn and No. 25 LSU dropped out after a shocking home loss to Troy.
The Bulldogs and Tigers were replaced by NC State at No. 24 and Central Florida at No. 25.
Elsewhere, USC fell from No. 5 to No. 14 for its loss to Washington State, while the Cougars leaped from No. 16 to No. 11. Michigan, TCU, Wisconsin and Ohio State each crept forward one spot in the back end of the top 10, while Auburn and Miami did the same just outside the top 10. Alabama remained No. 1 after a 66-3 demolition of Ole Miss, but Clemson more than doubled its No. 1 votes after winning 31-17 at then-No. 12 Virginia Tech.
The full poll:
1. Alabama -- 1,506 total points (44 first-place votes)
2. Clemson -- 1,475 (17)
3. Oklahoma -- 1,392
4. Penn State -- 1,325
5. Georgia -- 1,237
6. Washington -- 1,218
7. Michigan -- 1,115
8. TCU -- 1,079
9. Wisconsin -- 1,028
10. Ohio State -- 1,016
11. Washington State -- 980
12. Auburn -- 802
13. Miami -- 782
14. USC -- 713
15. Oklahoma State -- 664
16. Virginia Tech -- 549
17. Louisville -- 507
18. South Florida -- 440
19. San Diego State -- 373
20. Utah -- 358
21. Florida -- 349
22. Notre Dame -- 349
23. West Virginia -- 221
24. NC State -- 149
25. Central Florida -- 120