AP Top 25 College Football Poll 2014 Week 10: SEC Losing Grip? Oregon Surging Once Again
ByOregon (5) has the Pac-12 back in the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture, but the SEC West is still ruling the top four places in week 10 of the Associated Press Poll.
After being part of the SEC West's hostile takeover of four of the poll's top five places, Ole Miss (7) fell four places after an upset loss to their division mates over at LSU (16). Inactive last weekend, Florida State (2) is still holding off the SEC from controlling the top two spots.
10 teams in the Top 25 stayed put this week while LSU made the biggest move, rising eight places. Despite each winning, the Big Ten's two lone contenders remained in place. Michigan State (8) beat Michigan 35-11, but only because coach Mark Dantonio decided to tack on an extra touchdown late to respond to a pre-game slight.
Ohio State (13), on the other hand, barely survived a double-overtime thriller against Penn State, a game they probably should have won handily. Inactive this week, Michigan State's spot is safe, while Ohio State hosts Indiana.
But on Nov. 8, both teams seem poised to make moves in the rankings. Ohio State will visit Spartan Stadium for what is shaping up to be the Big Ten's most important matchup. If either team can manage to win out, they figure to be the conference's best shot at a spot in the CFP.
Also not making any progress in the rankings was the Big 12, which saw TCU (10), Kansas State (11) and Baylor (12) stay put, while pre-season favorite Oklahoma (19) fell two more spots.
The CFP selection committee is set to release their first rankings soon and they are not likely to reflect the AP's top four teams as they are. For example, Oregon may find itself in the conversation after emerging as the clear favorite in what has been a crowded Pac-12.