Dominant wins propel Notre Dame to No. 9. After a seven-game streak, the Irish conquer Navy and climb the AP Poll, closing in on No. 8.
Notre Dame remained hot this weekend with a convincing 49-10 victory over Navy that continues to move the Irish up the polls. After the latest victory - the team's seventh in a row - Notre Dame moved up to No. 9 in the latest Associated Press poll. Notre Dame is closer to No. 8 Texas Tech than No. 10 Texas when you look at the vote numbers.
Notre Dame benefitted from its own dominant win, but it also benefitted from BYU dropping a game to Texas Tech this weekend. The Cougars fell to No. 12 this past weekend. Two teams right behind Notre Dame - Virginia and Louisville - also lost this weekend, which means there are far fewer times nipping at their heels as long as the Irish can continue winning.
It's been a long but steady climb for Notre Dame, who began the season ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll. The Irish fell all the way to No. 24 after dropping its first two games, to now No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 16 Miami. Notre Dame became the first team since Michigan in 1988 to remain ranked despite losing its first two games. That season the Wolverines lost to Notre Dame and Miami to start the season but stayed in the Top 25. Michigan finished that season ranked No. 4 in both polls.
Notre Dame reached No. 10 last week, marking its first return to the Top 10 since that week three loss to Texas A&M. Notre Dame has a 34-24 win this season over USC, who is No. 17 in the latest rankings. Notre Dame takes on the Pitt Panthers next weekend in what will be a Top 25 matchup. Pitt jumped into the AP rankings at No. 23 despite being off this weekend. That game gives the Irish another chance to impress the voters, but even more importantly the College Football Playoff committee.
There are several matchups between Top 25 teams next weekend, so the rankings could see another shake up next weekend.
Here is the full Top 25 rankings:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0)
2. Indiana Hoosiers (10-0)
3. Texas A&M Aggies (9-0)
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1)
5. Georgia Bulldogs (8-1)
6. Ole Miss Rebels (9-1)
7. Oregon Ducks (8-1)
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-1)
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2)
10. Texas Longhorns (7-2)
11. Oklahoma Sooners (7-2)
12. BYU Cougars (8-1)
13. Vanderbilt Commodores (8-2)
14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-1)
15. Utah Utes (7-2)
16. Miami Hurricanes (7-2)
17. USC Trojans (7-2)
18. Michigan Wolverines (7-2)
19. Louisville Cardinals (7-2)
20. Virginia Cavaliers (8-2)
21. Tennessee Volunteers (6-3)
22. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2)
23. Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2)
24. James Madison Dukes (8-1)
25. South Florida Bulls (7-2)
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