Miami Is Unanimous No. 1 Again

Miami is a unanimous No. 1 in the Associated Press poll again and USC moved into the top five for the first time in more than seven years.

The Hurricanes (11-0) strengthened their grip on the top spot, receiving 73 first-place votes and 1,825 points from the sports writers and broadcasters on the panel.

Last week, No. 2 Ohio State (13-0) had two-first place votes. The week before, Miami received every first-place vote.

Miami defeated Syracuse, 49-7, on Saturday, and closes out the regular season Saturday against Virginia Tech.

A win over the Hokies and the Hurricanes will meet Ohio State in the BCS national title game in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3. The Buckeyes completed their regular season last week.

Iowa, co-Big Ten champions with Ohio State, moved up a spot to No. 3. The Hawkeyes (11-1) replaced Oklahoma, which dropped to No. 8 after a 38-28 loss to Oklahoma State.

Georgia (11-1), a 51-7 winner over Georgia Tech, improved to No. 4, followed by USC.

The Trojans routed Notre Dame, 44-13, and moved to No. 5 for the first time since Oct. 15, 1995. The Fighting Irish (10-2) fell to No. 11 from No. 7.

Kansas State was No. 6, then Washington State, Oklahoma, Texas and Penn State.

The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had the same top seven as the AP poll, with Miami receiving all but two of the 61 first-place votes.

West Virginia (9-3) made the biggest jump this week -- to No. 15 from No. 24 -- after a 24-17 victory over Pittsburgh. Florida State (9-4) moved up seven spots to No. 16 after its 31-14 win over Florida.

The bowl championship series standings, which use the AP and coaches polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule, won-loss record, and bonus points, determines who plays in its national title game. The final BCS standings will be released next Sunday.

Games this Saturday that will determine BCS bowl berths are Washington State at UCLA, Virginia Tech at Miami, Georgia and Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference title game, and Oklahoma and Colorado for the Big 12 title.

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Clemson has accepted a bid to play in the Tangerine Bowl. The Tigers (7-5) will play a Big 12 Conference opponent at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 23. Bowl officials hope to name the opponent on Tuesday.