AP Poll Update: Week 7

The AP Poll continues to be steady as she goes for the nation’s best teams, as the first half of the college football season has yet to be rocked by a major upset. The top 6 remains intact, although Georgia and Oklahoma are now tied for third, with the only significant movement in the top half coming as a result of the Auburn-Florida game. The Gators bested the Tigers 24-13, moving UF from 10 to 7 and Auburn from 7 to 12.

The bottom half saw a little more chaos, as Washington (15th), UCF (18th), Oklahoma State (21st) and Michigan State (25th) drop completely from the poll. Washington lost 23-13 to unranked Stanford and UCF got beat for the second straight week, this time by Cincinnati. Central Florida’s loss to an AAC opponent marked the end of the Knights 19-game win streak over their conference foes. Both UW and UCF lost on road trips. Oklahoma State went down 45-35 to Texas Tech in Lubbock and Michigan State was routed by no. 3 Ohio State in Columbus, 34-10.

Elsewhere, the two ACC teams represented in the Top 25 not named Clemson moved up. UVA got to jump up 3 spots without playing a game - not bad for a bye week. The Cavaliers will be ranked 20th when they come to Hard Rock this Friday for a date with the Hurricanes. Wake Forest leapfrogged UVA, up to 19 from 22 after beating Boston College, 27-24.

SMU played the game of the week, and was rewarded with a move from 24 to 21 in the poll. The Mustangs overcame a 21-point 4th quarter deficit and won 43-37 in the third overtime. Baylor and Memphis joined the top 25 for the first time this year, with wins over Kansas State and Louisiana-Monroe, respectively. Considering Baylor was 6-6 last year and 1-11 the year before, the program has made considerable strides in a short amount of time.