The Times’ top 25 college football rankings

There’s no change in this week’s top seven, but No. 3 Boise State needs to watch its back because playing at unranked Toledo on Friday is going to be hard to top No. 4 playing at No. 5 on Saturday. USC moves up one slot despite winning its two games by a total of five points. (Wait, the Pacific 12 Conference has revised that to 11 points.) Two reasons the Trojans will be 3-0: They haven’t lost to a Big East team at home since 1957 (Pittsburgh), and Syracuse is a Big East team. Mississippi State drops out this week, but a home win over No. 2 Louisiana State on Thursday would start cowbells clanging.

1; Alabama 2-0; North Texas is coming to town, in case anyone is uninterested. (1)

2; Louisiana State 2-0; Mississippi State says its defense isn’t ready; come back next Thursday. (2)

3; Boise State 1-0; Know you’ve made it when you beat SEC one week, go on probation the next. (3)

4; Oklahoma 1-0; Water tower in Norman repainted to read, “Welcome to Walnut Creek East.” (4)

5; Florida State 2-0; Bowden won 377 games, but nothing’s better than beating cancer. (5)

6; Wisconsin 2-0; Next game at Soldier Field, but don’t worry, it’s against Huskies, not Bears. (6)

7; Stanford 2-0; Roger this: “With first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Colts select Andrew Luck.” (7)

8; Oklahoma State 2-0; Stillwater Realtors touting beach property with views of Pacific 12. (10)

9; Nebraska 2-0; USDA thinks Saturday’s game vs. Washington will have huge (Omaha) steaks. (8)

10; Texas A&M 1-0; Team No. 13 in SEC will temporarily be called “The Baker’s Dozen.” (9)

11; Virginia Tech 2-0; Quarterback still doesn’t know whom he’ll ask to the Beamer Ball. (11)

12; Oregon 1-1; If a win over Nevada falls in the forest, does any poll voter hear it? (12)

13; Florida 2-0; School adds UFO to schedule after doing so well against FAU and UAB. (13)

14; South Carolina 2-0; Ragged win over Georgia makes Boise look like team to beat in SEC East. (14)

15; Michigan State; 2-0; You’ve won last six of seven in South Bend, but 0-2 home team is favored? (15)

16; West Virginia 2-0; Couch-burning is now a felony, but acting sophomoric is still encouraged. (17)

17; Arizona State 2-0; Erickson’s coaching trial always seems to be in the penalty phase. (18)

18; Auburn 2-0; It was tough to stay seated for Tigers’ dramatic goal-line stand. (22)

19; South Florida 2-0; No surprise that quarterback Daniels got the game ball after Ball State. (19)

20; Arkansas 2-0; Clinton: “Ken Starr, is that you causing legal problems again down there?” (20)

21; Baylor 1-0: Starr: ‘I’m working on a case now that could impeach 12 (SEC) presidents.” (21)

22; USC 2-0; New slogan: “What happens in Los Angeles pays in Vegas — twice.” (23)

23: Ohio State 2-0; NCAA notes first letters of opponents Akron, Toledo and Miami add up to ATM. (16)

24; Texas 2-0; Watch all replays of Texas losses on the “Long Face Network.” (24)

25; Texas Christian 1-1; Rankman permits only offense back in poll; defense ranks No. 112. (NR)

Dropped out: Mississippi State (25).

Moved in: Texas Christian.

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