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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah was on the sidelines this week, watching the action during the team’s much-needed bye week. And although there was no action on the field for the Utes, the program found itself moving up in the national rankings again this season.
Utah moved up to No. 18 in the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll, up one spot from its previous ranking of No. 19. Utah, however, stayed put at No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
The Utes remain one of four teams from the Pac-12 ranked this week. For the first time this season, Washington now leads as the highest-ranked program in the conference at No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 5 in the Coaches Poll. The Huskies moved up as a result of USC falling to Washington State Friday in a close battle among two undefeated teams. The Trojans dropped to No. 14/15, being jumped by No. 11/11 Washington State.
Utah, Washington and Washington State are the only undefeated teams left in the Pac-12. Teams in the Pac-12 receiving votes in the poll include Stanford and Oregon — both of which have been ranked this season.
Utah now leads the South division of the Pac-12 after USC’s loss. The Utes will take on Stanford Saturday in a intra-divisional matchup in what will be Utah’s toughest opponent until this point. Stanford running back Bryce Love has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season and is expected to remain a contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Alabama and Clemson continue to be in a league of their own as the top two programs in the country. The Crimson Tide rolled to a 66-3 victory over Ole Miss, claiming, once again, the No. 1 spot in the country. Clemson, which has already defeated two Top 15 teams this season and is gaining on Alabama, beat Virginia Tech in a 31-17 victory, earning the No. 2 spot. Rounding out the Top 5 is No. 3/3 Oklahoma, No. 4/3 Penn State and newcomer No. 5 Georgia in the AP Poll and Washington in the Coaches Poll.
Four Top 25 teams lost over the weekend, including No. 5 USC, No. 12 Virginia Tech, No. 24 Mississippi State and No. 25 LSU. But the most shocking upset over the weekend was Troy rushing for 206 yards against a traditional stout defensive LSU team to claim a 24-21 victory over the Tigers.
