WSU moves up to 18th in AP, Coaches polls

The Washington State Cougars, coming off a comfortable 52-23 win at home over the Oregon State Beavers, saw their ranking rise as they moved up Sunday morning in the USA Today Coaches Poll and AP Poll, where they checked in at 18th in each.

Unlike last week, there was some carnage in front of them, and the Cougs were able to take advantage. LSU, Louisville, Kansas State and Stanford all lost on Saturday. Only Louisville lost to a ranked opponent — No. 3 Clemson.

The ranking represents the highest of Mike Leach’s tenure at WSU; the previous high was No. 20, achieved after week two of this season and also accomplished each of the previous two seasons. It’s also the highest ranking for the Cougars since 2003.

A number of other Pac-12 teams are ranked as well, led by USC at No. 5 and Washington at No. 6 in the Coaches Poll (Washington is 7th in the AP). Utah and Oregon round out the top-25 at No. 21 and No. 25 (23rd and 24th in the AP), respectively.

Full rankings for both polls are below.

USA Today Coaches Poll

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Penn State
5. USC
6. Washington
7. Oklahoma State
8. Michigan
9. Ohio State
10. Wisconsin
11. Florida State
12. Georgia
13. Virginia Tech
14. Miami
15. TCU
16. Auburn
17. USF
18. Washington State
19. Mississippi State
20. Louisville
21. Utah
22. Florida
23. LSU
24. Oregon
25. San Diego State

AP Poll

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Penn State
5. USC
6. Oklahoma State
7. Washington
8. Michigan
9. Wisconsin
10. Ohio State
11. Georgia
12. FSU
13. Virginia Tech
14. Miami
15. Auburn
16. TCU
17. Mississippi State
18. Washington State
19. Louisville
20. Florida
21. USF
22. San Diego State
23. Utah
24. Oregon
25. LSU