LSU is No. 1 again in AP Top 25, edging Oregon; Kansas No. 4

It's imperative that the Kansas Jayhawks are rewarded for their stellar play and not discounted for their porous schedule

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer
November 11, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- LSU is getting a second chance at No. 1.

The Tigers took advantage of Ohio State's loss and regained the top ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday. Oregon is not far behind at No. 2.

As for unbeaten Kansas, the Jayhawks are No. 4, behind Big 12 rival Oklahoma. Ohio State fell to No. 7 after its first loss of the season, a 28-21 setback against Illinois on Saturday. The Illini moved back in the rankings at No. 20.

LSU started the season ranked No. 2 behind Southern California and rose to No. 1 on Sept. 30. It was the first time since 1959 the Tigers held the top spot in the AP media poll, but they weren't there very long.

Two weeks later, LSU lost in triple overtime at Kentucky and dropped to No. 5. A month later, the Tigers are back on top, having received 40 of a possible 65 first-place votes and 1,590 points. After a string of close games and thrilling finishes, LSU had an easy time Saturday night, beating Louisiana Tech 58-10 at Tiger Stadium.

LSU is the first team to lose the No. 1 ranking and regain it in the same season since Miami in 2002. Those Hurricanes were preseason No. 1, lost the top-ranking for a week to Oklahoma, and got it right back. Miami ended up losing the national championship at the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State.

Oregon received 22 first-place votes and 1,574 points this week. The Ducks were last No. 2 at the end of the 2001 season.

Oklahoma, Kansas and No. 5 West Virginia also received first-place votes.

The Jayhawks moved to 10-0 with a 43-28 victory at Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

No. 6 Missouri gives the Big 12 three teams in the top six. Ohio State was followed by Georgia at No. 8, Arizona State and Virginia Tech.

No. 11 Southern California started the second 10, followed by Texas and unbeaten Hawaii. The Warriors and Jayhawks are the only unbeaten teams left in major college football.

Florida is No. 14, with Clemson, Virginia, Boise State, Boston College, Tennessee and Illinois rounding out the top 20.

Cincinnati and Wisconsin also returned to the rankings this week. The Bearcats were No. 21 after beating Connecticut 27-3. The Badgers, coming off a 37-21 victory against Michigan, were No. 24.

No. 22 is Kentucky, Michigan is No. 23 and UConn is ranked 25th.

Michigan and Ohio State will still play for the Big Ten title and a likely spot in the Rose Bowl on Saturday, but the Buckeyes' hopes for playing in a second consecutive national title games were dashed with the loss at home to Illinois. It's the first time since 1959 the Wolverines and Buckeyes lost the week before they played.

Falling out of the rankings this week were Alabama, which lost its second straight game, and Auburn and California, which both lost for the fourth time this season.