UCLA cracks top 10 in final Associated Press poll

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Balloons drop from the ceiling of the Alamodome as UCLA celebrates its 40-35 win over Kansas State at in the Alamo Bowl. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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UCLA Coach Jim Mora raises the Alamo Bowl trophy after defeating Kansas State, 40-35. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett lifts his trophy for outstanding offensive player after the Alamo Bowl. Lockett caught 13 passes for 164 and two touchdowns. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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UCLA players celebrate after beating Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl, 40-35. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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UCLA linebacker Deon Hollins sacks Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters in the second quarter. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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Bruins running back Paul Perkins beats Wildcats defensive back Nate Jackson on a 32-yard scoring run in the second quarter. Perkins finished with 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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UCLA Coach Jim Mora talks to the Bruins during the first half of the Alamo Bowl. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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Kansas State receiver Tyler Locket catches a pass for a two-point conversion during the third quarter. The Wildcats lost to the Bruins, 40-35, in the Alamo Bowl.

(Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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Bruins running back Jordon James is brought down by Wildcats defensive back Dante Barnett after a reception in the first half. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks sacks Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters in the first half of the Alamo Bowl on Friday evening in San Antonio. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

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Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks celebrates after sacking Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters in the first quarter. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley prepares to deliver a pass against Kansas State in the first half. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters makes a pass against UCLA in the first quarter. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Kansas State defensive back Nate Jackson can’t prevent UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley from completing a 23-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of the Alamo Bowl on Friday evening. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley pulls up after scoring on a touchdown run against Kansas State in the first quarter. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley celebrates after scoring against Kansas State on a 10-yard run in the first quarter of the Alamo Bowl. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley is congratulated by running back Paul Perkins after scoring against the Wildcats in the first quarter. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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UCLA linebacker Erick Kendricks gets ready to warm up for the Alamo Bowl game against Kansas State. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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M&Ms featuring the faces of coaches Bill Snyder and Jim Mora are available at Alamo Bowl game. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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Wildcats Coach Bill Snyder watches his players warm up for the Alamo Bowl game against UCLA. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

By Chris Foster

Jan. 13, 2015 8:46 AM PT

UCLA finished in the top 10 in the final Associated Press poll, its highest ranking since 1998.

The Bruins finished a 10-3 season with a 40-35 victory over 11th-ranked Kansas State in the Valero Alamo Bowl and were rewarded with the No. 10 spot in the poll. The Bruins finished eighth in 1998 after losing their last two games.

UCLA was ranked No. 7 in the AP’s pre-season poll. This is the 17^th time the Bruins have finished in the top 10, but only the third since 1988. They have never finished as the AP’s national champion, but finished second in 1954. UCLA was named national champion by UPI that season.

UCLA cracks top 10 in final Associated Press poll

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