Utah’s 33-28 victory Saturday at Washington was rewarded with a one-spot move to No. 8 in the AP Top 25, published Sunday.
The Utes (8-1) have advanced in the poll after each of their eight victories this season. During the program's first five-game winning streak in Pac-12 play, Utah steadily has climbed from No. 19.
Utah jumped ahead of formerly No. 6 Florida, a 24-17 loser to Georgia. The Bulldogs now are No. 6, with the Pac-12's Oregon staying at No. 7. The Ducks (8-1) defeated USC 56-24 in Los Angeles, remaining unbeaten in Pac-12 play.
The Utes' win at Washington was similar to Oregon's comeback from a 14-point, third-quarter deficit for a 35-31 victory Oct. 19 in Seattle. “Those teams are good teams for a reason,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said. “They pour it on when it matters.”
The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season will be published Tuesday night. Those rankings will take on greater importance than other polls, eventually determining the four semifinalists in the Playoff.
In the Coaches Poll, Oregon is No. 7 and Utah is No. 9.
The Utes are idle this week and will host UCLA on Nov. 16.
