No. 2 LSU closes the gap on USC

Louisiana State is closing in on USC in the Associated Press top 25, and Appalachian State is getting some recognition -- but not a ranking.

After a surprisingly easy and thoroughly impressive victory over Virginia Tech, No. 2 LSU took 19 first-place votes from No. 1 USC in the poll released Sunday.

The Trojans were idle Saturday while the Tigers routed the Hokies, 48-7, in Baton Rouge. USC received 40 first-place votes from the media panel, down from 59 last week, and 1,619 points.

LSU received 25 first-place votes and 1,582 points.

Appalachian State, a week after pulling off a stunning upset at Michigan, received 19 points, not nearly enough to be ranked, but it got a spot between Auburn (23 points) and Cincinnati (12 points) in the list of others receiving votes.

Tennessee cornerback Antonio Gaines probably won’t play against Florida on Saturday after suffering what Coach Phillip Fulmer called a “significant injury.”

Fulmer said he was not able to release specifics of the injury, which happened during the Volunteers’ 39-19 win over Southern Mississippi on Saturday.

Colorado tight end Kory Sperry will undergo an MRI exam today to confirm the diagnosis of a season-ending torn ligament in his left knee. He was hurt in the first quarter of the Rams’ 34-28 loss to California.