Tennessee defenders attempt to catch Alabama's T.J. Yeldon.BCS STANDINGS
ALABAMAFLORIDAKANSAS STATEOREGONNOTRE DAMELSUOREGON STATEOKLAHOMASOUTHERN CALGEORGIA
Alabama maintained the top spot in the Bowl Championship Series standings following Saturday night's 44-13 thrashing of Tennessee in Knoxville, while Georgia slipped into the top 10 despite an uninspired, 29-24 defeat of Kentucky in Lexington.
Florida was No. 2 for a second straight week in the BCS rankings, while Kansas State moved past Oregon for the No. 3 spot. Each of the top four teams had dominating performances, with the Gators thumping South Carolina 44-11, the Wildcats shredding West Virginia 55-14, and the Ducks dumping Arizona State 43-21.
The rankings are certain to change with matchups this week involving Florida and Georgia, Notre Dame and Oklahoma, and Alabama and Mississippi State, which is No. 11 in the latest standings.
"We've really had a good approach this year as far as taking one game at a time," Gators coach Will Muschamp said Sunday night on ESPN's "BCS Countdown" show. "I know that sounds very boring to everyone, but that's really how we approach it. We won't spend any more time at the office or work any harder this week.
"We understand that this is an important game, and we don't need to tell the players."
Georgia made its first appearance in the BCS top 10 since 2008, when the Bulldogs were bounced out by the Gators, 49-10.
"There is not a whole lot that has to be said or done," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said Sunday night. "I think the guys understand how important this thing is. It's pretty obvious, so I don't think we're going to have to find a way to motivate anybody."
Florida and Kansas State were 1-2 in the computer portion of the BCS standings, while the Harris and USA Today polls had the same top five of Alabama, Oregon, Florida, Kansas State and Notre Dame.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.