Hurricanes enter BCS standings, AP Top 25
All the national title contenders took care of business and the BCS standings were unchanged at the top Sunday.
However, Miami entered the BCS standings at No. 23, and the Hurricanes (7-3) also entered the AP poll at No. 23.
It is the first time the Hurricanes, who have won five in a row, have been ranked since Sept. 16, 2006, when UM was No. 17 before losing 31-7 to Louisville.
"Every team in America wants to be ranked in the Top 25, but we can't get satisfied,"
UM running back Javarris James said.
"It is an accomplishment but we have to put it behind us and focus on Georgia Tech."
UM also is in sole possession of first place in the ACC Coastal Division.
If the Hurricanes win their final two games at Georgia Tech and N.C. State, they will advance to their first ACC Championship Game on Dec. 6 in Tampa.
Miami could clinch the title as soon as this weekend under two scenarios:
# Miami wins and North Carolina loses to North Carolina State.
# Miami wins, Virginia beats Clemson and Virginia Tech beats Duke.
As for the BCS, Alabama and Texas Tech held the first two spots, followed by Florida, Texas and Oklahoma.
The Red Raiders and the Sooners were both idle, preparing for a showdown in Norman, Okla., on Saturday night.
It will be the fourth straight game against a ranked opponent for Texas Tech, which controls its national title and Big 12 championship hopes.
Florida and Alabama will play for the SEC title on Dec. 6. If the Gators and Tide can avoid losing before they get there, the game probably will amount to a national semifinal with the winner advancing to play for the BCS national championship at Dolphin Stadium on Jan. 8.
Southern California is still stuck behind the top five and in need of at least a couple upsets to reach the national championship game.
USC also needs help to win the Pac-10 title and earn a trip to the Rose Bowl. Oregon State, which beat the Trojans in September, can earn a Rose Bowl bid with victories at Arizona and against Oregon.
The Trojans, however, would be a prime candidate to receive an at-large bid to the BCS if they finish the season with victories against Notre Dame and UCLA.
Penn State and Utah can both lock up BCS bids with wins Saturday.
The Nittany Lions can clinch the Big Ten title and a spot in the Rose Bowl by beating Michigan State in Happy Valley.
Utah would lock up an automatic BCS bid if it can complete its perfect season with a victory against BYU.
