Recordpub.com - Texas edges Alabama in BCS standings; Buckeyes 16th

By Ralph D. Russo

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Texas took a small step forward in the Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday, and the remaining unbeaten teams held down the first seven spots.

The Longhorns (.9227) jumped from third to second place, ahead of Alabama (.9166) and behind Florida (.9918). It’s a cosmetic move. Texas was already in control of its destiny in the BCS championship race.

The Crimson Tide and Gators, if they both remain undefeated, will have to play each other in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Behind the top three were Iowa (.8407), Cincinnati (.8033), TCU (.8008) and Boise State (.7863), all unbeaten and hoping for the Gators, Crimson Tide or Longhorns to slip up.

Alabama faces a stiff test Saturday when LSU travels to Tuscaloosa.

The Horned Frogs hold a slim lead over the Broncos in the race to be this season’s BCS buster. Both teams had lopsided victories on Saturday.

Oregon moved up two spots from 10th to eighth place after a 47-20 victory against Southern California.

USC dropped seven spots to 12th place.

Ohio State moved up one spot to 16th after Saturday’s 45-0 shutout of New Mexico State.

Florida holds the top spot and is ranked first in both polls used by the BCS — the Harris and coaches’ polls. The Gators are also tops among the compilation of six computer ratings used by the BCS.

Texas is No. 2 in both polls and tied with Alabama for third in the computer ratings. The Crimson Tide is third in both polls.

Iowa is second in the computers, though only seventh in the Harris poll and sixth in the coaches’ poll.

Notre Dame, which needs nine victories and a top-14 finish in the BCS standings to be eligible for an at-large bid, is 22nd.

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AP TOP 25

NEW YORK — Texas is back to No. 2 in the AP college football poll.

The Longhorns jumped Alabama and landed right behind top-ranked Florida on Sunday, a day after winning 41-14 at Oklahoma State in their best performance of the season.

Florida, No. 1 for all but one week this season, received 38 first-place votes after a 41-17 victory over Georgia.

The Longhorns started the season ranked second, but have been No. 3 behind the Gators and Crimson Tide the last three weeks. Texas received 13 first-place votes from the media panel. Many voters were swayed by the ease with which Longhorns handled Oklahoma State.

Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer jumped Texas from No. 3 to No. 1, past both Florida and Alabama.

“The Longhorns haven’t had the same type of struggles that Florida and Alabama have experienced in some down-to-the-wire games, and a blowout win over their toughest opponent of the season finally added some heft to the Longhorns’ schedule,” he said. “But I still think Texas, Florida and Alabama are separated by very little at the top.”

Alabama, which spent a week at No. 1, slipped to No. 3 during an off week. The Crimson Tide received eight first-place votes.

“Pretty easy decision for me: Texas is simply a more complete team than Alabama right now,” said Craig James of ABC.

Ohio State, facing a Big Ten showdown at Penn State on Saturday, moved up from 17th to 15th in the latest poll.

Cincinnati and Boise State round out the top five. Unbeaten TCU is No. 6.

No. 7 Oregon moved up three spots after pounding Southern California 47-20 to take control of the Pac-10 race. USC fell eight spots to No. 12. It’s the second time this season the Trojans have fallen out of the top 10 after a loss.

The Ducks are the highest ranked team with a loss, one spot ahead of unbeaten Iowa.

The eighth-ranked Hawkeyes slipped a spot after they needed a 28-point fourth quarter to beat Indiana 42-24.