The first nine teams in the poll remained in exactly the same positions from a week ago, with top-ranked Alabama garnering 44 of a possible 48 first-place votes. Second-ranked Miami (Fla.) picked up the other four first-place votes. The only team in the poll to lose on Saturday was Oklahoma State, previously No. 10.  The Cowboys dropped a 45-40 decision to Kansas State, falling completely out of the poll for the first time this season. Mississippi State entered the poll in a tie with Washington at No. 15.

The SEC led all conferences with four teams, followed by the Big Ten and Pac-12 with three each. The ACC and Big 12 had two each. The American and Independents one each.

THIS WEEK’S KEY GAMES:

No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Auburn; No. 2 Miami (Fla.) at Pittsburgh (Friday); No. 3 Clemson at South Carolina; West Virginia at No. 4 Oklahoma; No. 5 Wisconsin at Minnesota; No. 7 Georgia at Georgia Tech; No. 8 Ohio State at Michigan; No. 9 Notre Dame at Stanford; No. 10 Penn State at Maryland; Baylor at No. 11 TCU (Friday); South Florida at No.13 Central Florida (Friday); No. 14 Washington State at No. 15 Washington; Mississippi at No. 15 Mississippi State  (Thursday).