Boston College takes over No. 2 spot in AP poll

NEW YORK -- Be careful, Boston College.

The Eagles were the new No. 2 in the Top 25 released Sunday, a ranking that's been more of a burden than a reward recently. The second-ranked team in The Associated Press poll has lost three consecutive weeks. BC faces its toughest test of the season Thursday night at No. 8 Virginia Tech.

Ohio State is No. 1 in the media poll for the second consecutive week, receiving 57 first-place votes.

BC was idle this week but moved up one spot after South Florida became the latest No. 2 to lose, joining Southern California and California. The Bulls lost 30-27 at Rutgers on Thursday night.

The Eagles received 2 first-place votes and 1,494 points, giving them a small lead on No. 3 LSU. The Tigers moved up two spots, hopping over No. 4 Oklahoma, and received 2 first-place votes and 1,479 points after beating Auburn 30-24 on a last-second touchdown. Auburn fell five spots to No. 23 after the loss.

Oregon was No. 5, up two spots, and No. 6 West Virginia moved up three places.

After four top-10 teams lost last week, four new teams moved up to replace USF, South Carolina, Kentucky and Cal.

No. 7 Arizona State, which received 1 first-place vote, moved up five places without playing this week. The unbeaten Sun Devils (7-0), who have their highest ranking since ending the 1996 season No. 4, play Cal on Saturday.

Virginia Tech jumped three spots and Florida and Southern California also moved back into the top 10. The Gators and Trojans are tied for ninth.

Boston College hasn't been ranked this high since the Eagles were No. 1 in 1942.

South Florida dropped nine spots to No. 11 after its first loss of the season.