Buckeyes Overtake Seminoles at No. 2

How impressive was Ohio State’s victory over Penn State?

Impressive enough for the Buckeyes to move past Florida State into the No. 2 ranking and within 34 points of top-ranked Florida in The Associated Press’ Top 25 poll.

The Buckeyes, with a 38-7 victory over the Nittany Lions on Saturday, improved in the poll for the second consecutive week after beating a top-five team.

After beating Notre Dame, 29-16, on Sept. 28, the Buckeyes moved from fourth to third and had only one first-place vote to 57 for the Gators and eight for the Seminoles. This week Ohio State gained 23 first-place votes, while Florida lost 19 and Florida State four.

The Seminoles (4-0), despite a 34-3 victory over Clemson, fell to No. 3 with four first-place votes and 1,557 points.

Arizona State (5-0), a 56-7 winner over Boise State, replaced Penn State at No. 4. California (5-0) defeated USC, 22-15, and moved into the poll at No. 21, while the Trojans dropped out.

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Temple Coach Ron Dickerson pledged to continue into the next season, retracting the emotional resignation he made a day earlier after the Owls’ 53-52 loss to Pittsburgh.

“For the first time in my professional career, I let my emotions do the talking,” Dickerson said in a statement. “After giving further and careful consideration to the situation, I know that I am as committed as ever to the success of our players, and to a winning Temple University football program.”