Football moves up in national rankings

PROVO, Utah — After improving to 10-2 with its win over USC on Saturday, BYU moved up one ranking to No. 12 in The Associated Press Top 25 and No. 14 in the USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll released Sunday. 

With its 35-31 win over the Trojans in the Coliseum, BYU improved to 5-0 against the Pac-12 Conference this season with wins over nationally ranked Utah and Arizona State as well Arizona, Washington State and USC. The Cougars also beat Virginia of the ACC to achieve six victories over Power 5 conference teams this year, the most in program history. For the first time since 2008 and 2009, BYU has earned 10 or more wins in back-to-back seasons while achieving its 18th season overall with double-digit victories.

BYU's No. 12 ranking is its highest since being ranked No. 10 in both polls earlier this season after a 5-0 start. The Cougars have been ranked in one of the major national polls during 11 of the last 12 weeks since first entering the national rankings in the second poll of the regular season following its win over nationally ranked Utah, now ranked No. 14 in AP and No. 17 by the coaches.

This week Kalani Sitake's team moved up in the AP rankings after Oklahoma (10-2) fell three spots to No. 13 with its loss to Oklahoma State, now the consensus No. 5 in both polls.  AFCA voters, however, continue to rate the Sooners and 10-2 Iowa ahead of BYU at No. 11 and No. 12, respectively, while AP gives the edge to the Cougars. BYU moved up in the AFCA due to a void left by Texas A&M's nine-place drop following its loss to LSU. 

Georgia (12-0) finished the regular season as the unanimous No. 1 team in both polls. Alabama (11-1), Michigan (11-1) and Cincinnati (12-0) occupy the remaining top-four spots in varying order. The Crimson Tide stayed at No. 2 in the AFCA after its four-overtime win over rival Auburn, but fell one spot from third to No. 4 in AP.  The Wolverines, meanwhile, made a four-place jump to No. 2 in AP on the strength of their victory over Ohio State, while improving three spots to No. 3 in the coaches' poll. The unbeaten Bearcats are ranked No. 3 in AP and No. 4 in the AFCA.

Voters agreed on the rest of the top 10 with one-loss teams Oklahoma State and Notre Dame being followed by Ohio State (10-2), Ole Miss (10-2), Baylor (10-2) and Oregon (10-2). Michigan State, also a two-loss team, is ranked just ahead of BYU in both polls with a No. 11 ranking in AP and No. 13 in the AFCA. 

BYU, who was ranked No. 13 in the latest College Football Rankings, will learn on Tuesday where the CFP selection committee places the Cougars in their newest rankings following this past weekend's college football results.