After a sound thumping of then fifth-ranked Georgia on Saturday night, South Carolina moved up to third in the latest AP poll marking the highest Gamecock ranking since 1984.
The Gamecocks took control early and carried a 21-0 lead into intermission. South Carolina continued to baffle Georgia throughout the second half with the Bulldogs’ only score coming in the final minutes of the game for a 35-7 final. The loss dropped Georgia to ninth.
“We certainly like where we are right now, but hopefully we’re smart enough to know it’s still a difficult, difficult road for us,” said USC Head Coach Steve Spurrier during a teleconference on Sunday.
This week South Carolina is set to face an LSU team that is coming off a 14-6 loss at Florida.
Despite defeating Georgia Tech on Saturday, Clemson dropped a spot in the AP poll and are entering into a bye week before facing Virginia Tech at home.
The Tigers had some difficulty with Georgia Tech’s triple option and gave up 339 rushing yards before escaping with a 47-31 win. As the game wore on, the Clemson defense showed significant signs of improvement and the air it out offense was unstoppable.
“It was a momentum win,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “It was a complete game and we won every quarter, especially the fourth quarter. The second half was a thing of beauty. I’m proud of the team, and they keep improving every week. We just need to refocus and recommit because our season starts with Virginia Tech.”
A N.C. State one-point upset over Florida State knocked the Seminoles out of the Top 10 and even though Oregon manhandled Washington, the Ducks remain second to an Alabama team that rests comfortably at the head of the polls after an idle week.
The following is The Associated Press Top 25 Poll as found on SI.com.
Rank Team Record Votes Previous
1 Alabama (60) 5-0 1,500 1
2 Oregon 6-0 1,435 2
3 South Carolina 6-0 1,359 6
4 Florida 5-0 1,265 10
5 West Virginia 5-0 1,260 8
6 Kansas State 5-0 1,217 7
7 Notre Dame 5-0 1,176 9
8 Ohio State 6-0 1,053 12
9 LSU 5-1 938 4
10 Oregon State 4-0 873 14
11 USC 4-1 812 13
12 Florida State 5-1 800 3
13 Oklahoma 3-1 756 17
14 Georgia 5-1 733 5
15 Texas 4-1 711 11
16 Clemson 5-1 657 15
17 Stanford 4-1 587 18
18 Louisville 5-0 494 19
19 Mississippi State 5-0 450 20
20 Rutgers 5-0 331 22
21 Cincinnati 4-0 205 NR
22 Texas A&M 4-1 153 NR
23 Louisiana Tech 5-0 129 NR
24 Boise State 4-1 114 NR
25 Michigan 3-2 82 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Ohio 79, Baylor 62, Iowa State 54, TCU 50, Michigan State 49, Arizona State 39, Washington 39, North Carolina State 17, Nebraska 5, Arizona 4, Duke 3, Tennessee 3, Texas Tech 2, Tulsa 2, Northwestern 1, Penn State 1.
Sports Editor Tiffany Grady-Hudgins can be reached by e-mail at thudgins@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at (864) 251-4330.
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