On the brink

ND nearly cracks top 10 with win over Michigan

New head coach Tyrone Willingham is leading the Irish back into contention. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- Trying to return to its glory days, Notre Dame nearly returned to the Top 10.

With a 25-23 victory over Michigan, the Fighting Irish (3-0) climbed eight spots to No. 12 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll released Sunday. (Complete poll)

The Irish, under new coach Tyrone Willingham, last cracked the AP's Top 10 at No. 10 in the 2000 final regular season poll. Then came the 41-9 Fiesta Bowl loss to Oregon State, and Notre Dame finished No. 15.

While the top six teams remained unchanged from last week -- Miami was a near unanimous choice at No. 1 -- the Irish led a reshuffling of the rest of the Top 25.

Southern California (2-0) defeated Colorado 40-3 on Saturday and moved up six places to No. 11. Penn State, a 40-7 winner over Nebraska, jumped back into the poll at No. 15.

There were quite a few tumbles, too. Michigan, No. 7 last week, dropped to No. 14; Nebraska, eighth a week ago, fell to No. 18.

Besides Penn State, newcomers this week are California at No. 23 after its 46-22 win over Michigan State, Iowa State at No. 21 and Kansas State at No. 25.

Dropping out were Michigan State, Marshall, Colorado and Colorado State. Marshall lost to Virginia Tech 47-21 last Thursday night. The Hokies moved up from 11th to seventh this week.

Miami received 68 of the 74 first-place votes and 1,844 points from the sports writers and broadcasters on the AP panel. Oklahoma was No. 2, followed by Texas, Tennessee, Florida State and Ohio State.

The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll also ranked Notre Dame 12th, with Miami still No. 1.

 

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