Alabama strengthened its hold on the top spot in the USA TODAY coaches' poll. The Crimson Tide received 57 first-place votes of the 58 cast this week after their 31-6 thumping of then-No.7 Florida.

Arizona coach Mike Stoops could not be reached to file his ballot.

The Tide will be all but guaranteed a spot in the BCS championship game in Glendale, Ariz., if they keep winning.

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The matter of which team might join them there will be the subject of increasingly passionate debate over the next two months.

For now, Ohio State remains in the No. 2 slot in the coaches poll, a component of the BCS formula. The Buckeyes are still getting one first-place vote but needed a late touchdown to put away Illinois 24-13 in their Big Ten opener.

Oregon edged ahead of Boise State into the No. 3 position. The Ducks overcame an early 21-3 deficit and exploded to a 52-31 triumph over Stanford. The Broncos easily handled winless New Mexico State 59-0. Even so, they could be facing the beginning of the end of their chances for reaching the title game. Oregon's schedule strength will stay high with only Pac-10 opponents left. Boise has Toledo of the Mid-American Conference this week and then Western Athletic Conference foes. One bright spot: Nevada moved up to 23rd in the poll and should give Boise State a lift -- that's assuming Nevada improves its spot and Boise wins the Nov. 26 showdown.

Fifth-ranked TCU, which blanked Colorado State 27-0, held steady at No. 5.

Texas, which fell 28-20 to No. 7 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game, is out of the top 25 for the first time since Nov. 23, 1998, a span of 192 consecutive polls.

Florida and Ohio State are now the currents leader appearing in 90 consecutive polls, though the No. 12 Gators' ranking took a five-position hit after their encounter with Alabama.

Penn State, a 24-3 loser at No.15 Iowa, was the week's other dropout. No. 24 Florida State returned to the rankings and No. 25 Northwestern made its season debut.

-- Eddie Timanus