Miami Ranked No. 1 In ESPN/USA Today poll
Sept. 9, 2001
Arlington, VA – – The state of Florida continued its lock atop the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, but there’s a new No. 1 team in the latest rankings released Sunday.
After posting a 61-0 victory over Rutgers, Miami (2-0) took the No. 1 spot in the poll from Florida (2-0) despite the Gators’ 55-6 trouncing of Louisiana-Monroe.
The Hurricanes collected 29 first-place votes and 1,441 points. They hold a 14-point lead over the Gators, who received 19 first-place votes.
Both schools face major tests next Saturday with Miami playing No. 13 Washington and Florida facing No. 8 Tennessee in an SEC showdown.
The Huskies moved up two spots with their 23-18 victory over Michigan. The Wolverines dropped seven spots to 17th. The Vols fell one spot after struggling against Arkansas, 13-3.
Fresno State, which has captured the nation’s attention quickly this season, jumped into the rankings at No. 15. The Bulldogs (3-0) even were given a first-place vote after coming from behind to win at Wisconsin, 32-20, on Saturday. Quarterback David Carr, who has emerged as Heisman Trophy candidate, completed 22 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
Fresno State, which was unranked prior to this week, began its season with a 24-22 victory over Colorado, then upset national title contender Oregon State, 44-24.
Defending national champion Oklahoma (3-0) has seven first-place votes and is ranked third, ahead of Big 12 Conference rival Nebraska (3-0), which has two. Fifth-ranked Florida State (2-0) and No. 7 Oregon (2-0) were earned first-place votes.
Completing the top 10 is sixth-ranked Texas (2-0), No. 8 Tennessee (2-0), Virginia Tech (2-0) and Kansas State (1-0).
The next five teams all moved up two notches. Georgia Tech (3-0) is followed by UCLA (2-0), Washington (1-0), Louisiana State (2-0) and Mississippi State (1-0).
After the Wolverines are No. 18 Clemson (2-0), Northwestern (1-0), South Carolina (2-0) and Ohio State (1-0).No. 22 Oregon State (1-1), Notre Dame (0-1), Purdue (1-0) and newcomer Brigham Young (3-0) round out the rankings.
