Alabama moves into the top 25

New Coach Nick Saban needed three games to get Alabama back in the top 25.

The Crimson Tide jumped into the Associated Press poll Sunday at No. 16, its first time in the rankings since the final poll of the 2005 season.

At the top of the poll, No. 1 USC recouped some of the first-place votes it lost to No. 2 Louisiana State in the previous two weeks. USC received 46 first-place votes, up six from last week, and 1,605 points after a 49-31 victory at Nebraska.

LSU received 19 first-place votes and 1,577 points. Florida slipped past Oklahoma into the third spot.

There were three other new teams in the top 25, with No. 21 Kentucky, No. 23 South Florida and No. 25 Missouri debuting.

California is concerned about its defensive depth after three starters left Saturday’s victory over Louisiana Tech because of potentially serious injuries.

Defensive linemen Matt Malele and Rulon Davis both hurt their feet, with Malele likely tearing tendons and Davis possibly suffering a stress fracture. Zack Follett, a strong-side linebacker, developed a neck stinger in the first half and didn’t return.