Despite blowout win, Notre Dame falls in AP Top 25 poll

Notre Dame has to be wondering what it can do to catch a break — or if it’s being unfairly punished for a bad day at home against Northern Illinois last month.

Or maybe poll voters just don’t respect the quality of the Fighting Irish’s opponents.

Of course, the Irish could just be collateral damage from other games.

Whatever the cause, despite beating the Stanford Cardinal 49-7 at home in South Bend, Notre Dame slips one spot in the AP Top 25 poll to No. 12.

Despite falling to Oregon by just a point in a nail-biting thriller, Ohio State falls only two spots to No. 4. The Ducks, meanwhile, move up a spot to No. 2.

Penn State moves to No. 3 despite nearly being upset by USC.

Texas stays at No. 1 and Georgia remains No. 5. Alabama doesn’t move even after being nearly upset for the second time this season — the Crimson Tide are still No. 7.

Other big movers include

— the Volunteers fall three spots to No. 11 despite beating Florida. LSU jumps five spots to No. 8 after beating Ole Miss — and Ole Miss drops nine places to No. 18.

Army and Navy are both in the Top 25, with Army at No. 23 and Navy at No. 25. Illinois is at No. 22 and the Michigan Wolverines are No. 24.

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