The AP Poll doesn't play a part in the BCS selection process, but it still provides a general indication of how things will likely turn out in the other polls and the BCS standings. This week, the Alabama Crimson Tide remained at No. 2 by just an 18-point margin over the Oklahoma St. Cowboys. The LSU Tigers, obviously, remained at No. 1.
The USC Trojans moved up to No. 5, but in the other polls they are ineligible due to a postseason ban. USC would have faced the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game had they been eligible. The Ducks came in at No. 6 in the AP Poll.
The Boise St. Broncos checked in at No. 8 this week, the highest-ranked non-BCS conference. The 12-1 Houston Cougars fell to No. 20 after being in the top 10 last week. Southern Miss, though, beat the Cougars and moved to just No. 22.
Here is the complete AP Poll Top 25:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3, Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. USC
6. Oregon
7.Arkansas
8. Boise State
9. Wisconsin
10. South Carolina
11. Kansas State
12. Michigan State
13. Michigan
14. Clemson
15. Baylor
16. TCU
17. Virginia Tech
18. Georgia
19. Oklahoma
20. Houston
21. Nebraska
22. Southern Miss
23. West Virginia
24. Penn State
25. Florida State
For more on the rest of the college football scene, visit SB Nation NCAA Football.