Alabama moves to No. 2 behind LSU in AP poll

Ralph D. Russo – Seattle PI

LSU and Alabama are the top two teams in the country one month before their game in Tuscaloosa. The SEC West rivals held the first two spots in The Associated Press college football poll released Sunday as the second-ranked Crimson Tide jumped past No. 3 Oklahoma. Alabama’s rise gives the Southeastern Conference the top two teams in the country for the 10th time in the last four seasons. And for the first time since 2000, the Nos. 1 and 2 teams reside in the same division. The Tide beat Florida 38-10 on Saturday night in Gainesville, then received 12 first-place votes in the media rankings. LSU remained No. 1 for a second straight week, receiving 40 first-place votes and 1,473 points. Alabama had 1,435 points. The Tigers play the Tide on Nov. 5 in a game that could ultimately decide the division – and much more. Oklahoma, which started the season No. 1 before slipping behind LSU last week, got seven first-place votes. [Read More]