Notre Dame Is New #1 In BCS Standings

Posted: Nov 18, 2012 11:02 PM by AP

The Michigan Wolverines will enter their rivalry game against Ohio State ranked 20th in the nation in the newest Associated Press top 25 poll, released today.

The Buckeyes, one of two undefeated teams in the FBS, is now No. 4. Ohio State is not eligible for postseason play because of NCAA violations, so Saturday's game is their defacto bowl game.

U-M (8-3, 6-1 Big Ten) jumped three spots in the rankings after the 42-17 win over Iowa on Saturday.

Michigan State (5-6, 2-5) fell to Northwestern, 23-20, in its home finale. MSU did not garner a vote in this week's poll.

Notre Dame, the other undefeated team, is No. 1 and Alabama is No. 2, moving to the top of the rankings after Oregon and Kansas State were upset Saturday night.

Both teams were ranked atop the latest BCS Standings, respectively, released on Sunday night. Notre Dame checked in with an average of .9973. Alabama's average is .9333.

Following Notre Dame and Alabama are SEC teams Georgia (.8763) and Florida (.8434), followed by last weekend's losers, Oregon (.8318) and Kansas State (.7692).

U-M moved up two spots in the BCS, to No. 19.

The Fighting Irish are No. 1 in the AP poll for the first time since Nov. 14, 1993 and atop the BCS Standings for the first time ever. The Fighting Irish were a unanimous No. 1, getting all 60 first-place votes. They are a victory against rival Southern California away from completing a perfect regular season and playing in the BCS championship game Jan. 7 in Miami.

A week after being upset as the No. 1 team, Alabama is back to No. 2, taking advantage of the two big upsets.

The Ducks had been No. 1 but fell in overtime to Stanford. Kansas State was No. 2 when it was beaten at Baylor.