By winning their last four games, the Utah Utes have more than regained the ground they lost in the AP Top 25 after losing to USC in September. Their challenge now is to hold their position in the top 10, as they failed to do the last time they got there.
In the poll released Sunday, Utah moved up three spots to a season-high No. 9 after a 35-0 win over California on Saturday, jumping ahead of Oklahoma, Auburn and Notre Dame. Pac-12 North leader Oregon is No. 7 after beating Washington State 37-35 with a field goal on the last play of the game.
LSU moved to No. 1, ahead of Alabama, after a 23-20 defeat of Auburn – pushing Auburn below Oregon and Utah. Oklahoma was upset by Kansas State and Notre Dame lost to Michigan.
Utah (7-1) had fallen nine spots to No. 19 after a 30-23 loss to USC, and has steadily climbed its way back with defeats of Washington State, Oregon State, Arizona State and Cal. The Utes were No. 14 in the preseason poll and have moved up slightly after each of their seven victories.
The Utes are No. 10 and Oregon is No. 8 in the Coaches Poll. The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season will be announced Nov. 5.
Utah will play Saturday at Washington, while USC hosts Oregon in games that could have major impact on the Pac-12 South race.
