(AP) – Clemson is back at No. 2 in The Associated Press college football poll behind top-ranked Alabama, moving up to where it started, after a convincing victory and Ohio State’s first loss of the season.
Notre Dame moved up to No. 3, and Ohio State fell to No. 11 after being upset by Purdue.
The Tigers trailed only Alabama in the preseason rankings, but a couple of close wins in September — combined with seemingly impressive performances by other highly ranked teams — dragged Clemson to as low as No. 4.
Michigan is No. 5.
No. 25 Appalachian State is ranked in the AP poll for the first time in school history. The Mountaineers (5-1) have not lost since opening the season with an overtime defeat at Penn State.
1. Alabama 8-0
2. Clemson 7-0
3. Notre Dame 7-0
4. LSU 7-1
5. Michigan 7-1
6. Texas 6-1
7. Georgia 6-1
8. Oklahoma 6-1
9. Florida 6-1
10. UCF 7-0
11. Ohio State 7-1
12. Kentucky 6-1
13. West Virginia 5-1
14. Washington State 6-1
15. Washington 6-2
16. Texas A&M 5-2
17. Penn State 5-2
18. Iowa 6-1
19. Oregon 5-2
20. Wisconsin 5-2
21. South Florida 7-0
22. NC State 5-1
23. Utah 5-2
24. Stanford 5-2
25. Appalachian State 5-1