COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Notre Dame and Colorado Tops in Poll

L.A. Times Archives

Nov. 12, 1990 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

The Orange Bowl may pack a powerful 1-2 punch on New Year’s Day.

Notre Dame retained its No. 1 ranking and Colorado moved up from fourth to second in today’s Associated Press college football poll. If they hold their positions until Jan. 1, the Orange Bowl will feature a winner-take-all clash for the national championship.

The Fighting Irish (8-1) were a near-unanimous pick as the top team after beating Tennessee 34-29 Saturday. They received 55 of 60 first-place votes and 1,495 of a possible 1,500 points from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

Colorado (9-1-1), which beat Oklahoma State 41-22, got the other five first-place votes and 1,419 points. Losses by No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Houston helped the Buffaloes gain their highest ranking of the season.

Miami (6-2), which did not play Saturday, rose two spots to third with 1,349 points. The Hurricanes, who will meet the Southwest Conference champion in the Cotton Bowl, have an outside chance to become the first team to be voted national champion with two losses.

Georgia Tech (8-0-1), the only major team without a loss, jumped from seventh to fourth after edging Virginia Tech 6-3. It’s the Yellow Jackets’ highest ranking since 1959, when they rose to third before slumping to a 6-5 record.

Brigham Young (8-1) went from eighth to fifth, only one point behind Georgia Tech, after beating Wyoming 45-14. Florida (8-1), which can’t play in a bowl because of NCAA probation, moved up four notches to sixth following a 38-7 victory over Georgia.

Texas (7-1) shot up seven spots to No. 7, its best ranking in six years, after handing Houston its first loss, 45-24. Virginia (8-1) jumped from 11th to eighth after beating North Carolina 24-10 and Florida State (7-2) rose from 12th to ninth after mauling Cincinnati 70-21.

UCLA’s 25-22 upset of Washington (8-2) plunged the Huskies from second to 10th.

Houston and Auburn each fell nine notches. The Cougars went from third to 12th and the Tigers from 15th to 24th after losing to Southern Mississippi 13-12.

THE TOP 25 The top 25 teams in the AP college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses. 1. Notre Dame (55) 8-1-0

2. Colorado (5) 9-1-1

3. Miami, Fla 6-2-0

4. Georgia Tech 8-0-1

5. Brigham Young 8-1-0

6. Florida 8-1-0

7. Texas 7-1-0

8. Virginia 8-1-0

9. Florida State 7-2-0

10. Washington 8-2-0

11. Nebraska 9-1-0

12. Houston 8-1-0