Alabama is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll, moving past Southern California after the Crimson Tide’s resounding victory against Michigan.
The Crimson Tide swayed more than enough voters with its 41-14 win Saturday night in Texas to overtake the preseason No. 1 Trojans, who beat Hawaii, 49-10. USC entered that game a 40-point favorite at home.
The Tide received 45 first-place votes, up 28 from last week. USC drew 11 first-place votes and No. 3 LSU four.
In the last two seasons that Alabama has won the national title (2009, 2011), the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 1 during the season a total of two weeks. In 2009, the Tide reached No. 1 for a week in October, and again when it beat Florida in the SEC title game to go in the BCS championship game top-ranked.
Besides Southern Cal being ranked at No. 2, other Pac-12 teams in this week’s AP poll are Oregon (1,295 points) sliding up a spot to No. 4, and Stanford (131), tumbling four spots to No. 25. Utah received 34 votes and the University of Washington netted 15.
WSU MAY LOSE AD AIDE
Bill Moos, athletic director at Washington State, said Tuesday that he might be losing his right-hand man on the Martin Stadium renovation project as soon as today.
John Johnson, a senior associate AD at Washington State since 2004, is one of four finalists for the AD job at Montana.
“I think he’s a tremendously qualified candidate,” Moos said, “and though I’d hate to lose him, I hope it works out for him.”
Johnson, 52, has served as AD at Eastern Washington (his alma mater) and Weber State.
Moos assigned Johnson to oversee the south-side improvements at Martin Stadium, which include a new press box and premium seating. EX-GRIZ RB TO PLEAD
Former University of Montana running back Beau Donaldson plans to plead guilty to sexual intercourse without consent after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, his attorney said Tuesday.
Defense attorney Milt Datsopolous’ announcement followed a court hearing in which he and prosecutors confirmed the plea deal.
Prosecutors said Donaldson raped a female acquaintance while she slept on his couch after drinking alcohol at a party in September 2010. Court records say he acknowledged the assault during a monitored telephone conversation in December.
Donaldson was charged in January and was scheduled to go on trial later this month. Datsopolous said Donaldson instead will plead guilty at a Sept. 11 court hearing.
The charge of sexual intercourse without consent carries a penalty of two years to life in prison.
EXTRA POINTS
Eight North Dakota State football players, including four starters, will remain on the roster while criminal charges against them for forging signatures on ballot initiative petitions are resolved. … Former LSU star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu has enrolled at LSU for the fall semester, even though he cannot play for the Tigers this season. ... Tulsa will be without its top wide receiver for the rest of the season after senior Bryan Burnham tore a ligament in his right knee in the season opener. … Quarterback Caleb TerBush will start for Purdue against Notre Dame on Saturday. … The Notre Dame radio network suspended commentator Allen Pinkett without pay for two more games after his comments last week that teams need bad guys to give them an edge. … Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease apologized for using obscenities after being caught on camera swearing during the Gators’ season opener. … TCU receiver Skye Dawson has been suspended for the season opener against Grambling State on Saturday for violating school policy. … Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson was released from Tulane Hospital on Tuesday evening after struggling with symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Howie Stalwick, contributing writer
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