American Conference Teams Jump Into AP Top 25

The American Athletic Conference wants to be considered closer in quality to the Power 5 conferences than it is to its fellow Group of 5 leagues. That claim is backed up by the results this season.

Memphis and Temple jumped into The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season, joining Houston to give the American three ranked teams for the first time in the history of the three-year-old league.

Ohio State remained No. 1 in the Top 25 released Sunday. For the second straight week, six teams received first-place votes, led by the Buckeyes with 28. No. 2 Baylor had 12; No. 3 Utah received 16; No. 4 TCU got three; and No. 5 LSU and No. 6 Clemson each got one.

The Utes and LSU Tigers each edged ahead one spot after home victories Saturday.

Michigan State stayed at No. 7 after its stunning last-minute win against Michigan, and Alabama is No. 8 after handing Texas A&M its first loss.

Memphis (6-0) had the big upset of the weekend, against Ole Miss. The Tigers' 37-24 victory vaulted them into the rankings at No 18.