Texas ranked for 1st time under Charlie Strong; Alabama still No. 1

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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Texas is ranked for the first time under coach Charlie Strong, coming in at No. 11 in the latest Associated Press college football rankings after a rousing opening victory against Notre Dame.

The Longhorns were last ranked in November 2013, in Mack Brown's last season as coach.

Miami (Florida) also is ranked for the first time since 2013, ranked at No. 25 after defeating Florida A&M 70-3. The Hurricanes ended a39-poll drought that started Nov. 17, 2013.

No. 10 Wisconsin also made a big jump into the top 25 after beating LSU. The Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish were among seven ranked teams that lost during the first weekend of the season.

Wisconsin, which beat LSU 16-14 at Lambeau Field, matched a record for the best season debut in the top 25 with its No. 10 ranking. Arizona also went from unranked to No. 10 in 2014 after the Wildcats won at Oregon.

Alabama is still No. 1. The Crimson Tide picked up 21 first-place votes to total 54 after their 52-6 victory against USC. Clemson remained No. 2. Florida State moved up to No. 3. Ohio State is No. 4, and Michigan is No. 5.

Houston jumped nine spots, from No. 15 to No. 6 after its 33-23 victory over Oklahoma. The Sooners dropped 11 spots after the loss, from third to No. 14. The Cougars boast their highest ranking since Nov. 4, 1990, when they were ranked No. 3.

Georgia also jumped nine spots, from No. 18 to No. 9 after a 33-24 victory over North Carolina.

No. 7 Stanford and No. 8 Washington also appear in the top 10. Washington has its highest rank since Nov. 4, 2001, after its 48-13 victory over Rutgers.

LSU fell from No. 5 to No. 21 after its loss to Wisconsin.The 16-spot drop is the fourth largest in poll history.

No. 17 Tennessee, No. 18 Notre Dame and No. 19 Mississippi all fell eight spots. The Volunteers dropped after an overtime victory against Appalachian State.

Texas A&M is in the poll at No. 20 after beating UCLA, then No. 16, in overtime.

USC, UCLA and North Carolina dropped out of the poll. Florida, which was No. 25, fell out after beating Massachusetts 24-7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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