Huskers Move into National Polls

Lincoln -- Nebraska moved back into the Top 25 for the first time in nearly a year Monday, earning the No. 23 ranking following a 17-7 season-opening win against No. 24 Oklahoma State.

"I think it is important," Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich said. "It's something that this program has been all about, being in the Top 25 and being a top football team in the country."

In the first regular season Associated Press college football poll, the biggest movement was caused by Southern California's 23-0 win at Auburn. The Trojans earned six first-place votes from the sports writers and broadcasters on the AP panel and moved up four spots to No. 4. Auburn plummeted 11 places to No. 17.

The top three teams remained the same, with Oklahoma at No. 1 followed by defending national champion Ohio State and Miami. Michigan dropped one spot to No. 5 after beating Central Michigan 45-7.

The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had the same top three as the AP poll. Texas was fourth and USC fifth in the coaches poll.

Nebraska's run of being in 348 consecutive polls ended Sept. 29, 2002, following a 36-14 loss to Iowa State. The Cornhuskers went on to lose seven games last year, their worst season since 1961.

Nebraska began this season outside the Top 25 for the first time since 1969.

"It's great to get back in," Solich said. "I think it was obvious to everyone, including ourselves, that we had to prove ourselves to get back in. Now we have to show that we deserve to be in there by playing well."

Oklahoma has 30 of the 65 first-place votes and 1,566 points. The Sooners are 28 points ahead of Ohio State, which won its 15th straight game Saturday, 28-9 over then-No. 17 Washington and has 25 firsts.

Miami has two first-place votes, USC has six and No. 5 Michigan has the remaining two.

The rest of the Top 10 is Texas, Kansas State, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.

Florida State is 11th, followed by Tennessee, LSU, North Carolina State, Virginia, Purdue, Auburn, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Arizona State.

Florida, Washington, Nebraska, Colorado and TCU round out the poll.

The Gators and Buffaloes also moved into the AP poll for the first time this year as Maryland, Oklahoma State and Colorado State dropped out.

Florida beat San Jose State 65-3 and Colorado topped then-No. 23 Colorado State 42-35.

The Associated Press Poll:

No. Team Record Pts Pv 1. Oklahoma (30) 1-0 1,566 1 2. Ohio St. (25) 1-0 1,538 2 3. Miami (2) 1-0 1,482 3 4. Southern Cal (6) 1-0 1,389 8 5. Michigan (2) 1-0 1,351 4 6. Texas 1-0 1,302 5 7. Kansas St. 2-0 1,241 7 8. Georgia 1-0 1,135 11 9. Virginia Tech 1-0 1,094 9 10. Pittsburgh 0-0 996 10 11. Florida St. 1-0 930 13 12. Tennessee 1-0 883 12 13. LSU 1-0 828 14 14. N.C. State 1-0 815 16 15. Virginia 1-0 641 18 16. Purdue 0-0 533 19 17. Auburn 0-1 524 6 18. Wisconsin 1-0 512 21 19. Notre Dame 0-0 507 20 20. Arizona St. 0-0 309 22 21. Florida 1-0 268 -- 22. Washington 0-1 222 17 23. Nebraska 1-0 204 -- 24. Colorado 1-0 188 -- 25. TCU 0-0 131 25

Others receiving votes: Oregon St. 78, Alabama 77, Maryland 66, Penn St. 62, N. Illinois 43, Missouri 36, Iowa 30, Minnesota 28, Texas A&M 24, Arkansas 18, Oregon 18, Mississippi 15, Boise St. 11, Arizona 7, Colorado St. 7, Air Force 5, Hawaii 4, Washington St. 4, Oklahoma St. 2, New Mexico 1.