Michigan Is Out of Top 25 for First Time Since 1998

The winningest team in the history of college football is unranked for the first time in almost seven years.

Michigan fell out of the Associated Press top 25 on Sunday, ending a streak of 114 weeks in the rankings, which was the longest in the nation. The last poll that didn’t include the Wolverines was released Oct. 18, 1998.

USC extended its streak of No. 1 rankings to 23 weeks in the latest poll. The Trojans picked up two first-place votes after beating Oregon, 45-13, Saturday, knocking the Ducks out of the rankings.

Michigan, which started the season ranked No. 4, lost at Wisconsin, 23-20, to fall to 2-2. The Wolverines’ fall comes a week after another traditional power, Oklahoma, dropped out of the rankings for the first time since 1999. No. 9 Miami now has the longest streak at 93 weeks.

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The day before Louisiana State’s long-awaited home opener, against Tennessee, Baton Rouge was, for the most part, dry and recovering from the second hurricane to slam into Louisiana in less than a month.

Hurricane Rita dumped at least five inches of rain on Baton Rouge and did another number on its trees. Crews are expected to be on campus clearing debris into today, but Louisiana State athletic department spokesman Michael Bonnette said they should finish before fans start arriving.

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Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis doesn’t usually let anyone else call plays on offense. He made an exception for 10-year-old Montana Mazurkiewicz.

During a visit last week with Montana, who was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor, Weis agreed to let him call the first play against Washington on Saturday. Montana called “pass right.” But he never got to see the play. He died Friday at his home.

Saturday, Weis kept his promise. Irish quarterback Brady Quinn looked for and threw to tight end Anthony Fasano on the right. Fasano leapt over a defender for a 13-yard gain.