By The Associated Press

Miami jumped over unbeaten Alabama, though just barely, and into the No. 3 spot in The Associated Press Top 25.

The Hurricanes (7-1) moved up two spots Sunday in the media poll behind No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Texas, a day after their 27-7 victory at previously unbeaten Virginia Tech.

Alabama improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 win at Mississippi State, but stayed put in the Top 25. Only two points separate Miami (1,452) and Alabama (1,450). USC and Texas have been at the top of the rankings since the preseason – making 2005 similar to 2004 when USC and Oklahoma were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, all season.

USC extended its record stay at No. 1 to 29 straight polls. The Trojans, who have won 31 straight games, received 57 first-place votes and the Longhorns got the remaining eight.

The Hurricanes have won seven straight games since losing their season opener, 10-7, at Florida State. Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News had Miami ahead of Alabama on his ballot after watching the Hurricanes manhandle Virginia Tech.

“I got a chance to watch most of the second half, and the way they went up and played Virginia Tech made me believe they deserve mention as one of the top three teams in the country,” he said. “They are playing better then Alabama right now.”

Michael Pointer of The Indianapolis Star had Alabama No. 3 and Miami fourth.

“I kind of wrestled with that to tell the truth but I came down to my rule if you’re undefeated and play in the SEC you have to be ahead of the team with one loss,” he said.

Pointer said he even considered putting Penn State ahead of Alabama.

“You have to give (Alabama) credit for winning the games,” he said. “You can spin it however you want, they might not be as impressive at times, but they are unbeaten.”

After Miami and Alabama, LSU is No 5. The Tigers play the Crimson Tide on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Penn State is No. 6 followed by Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, which dropped five spots to No. 8.

No. 9 Georgia and Ohio State fill out the top 10.

In the USA Today coaches’ poll, USC is No. 1 and Texas is second but Alabama is No. 3, 13 points ahead of No. 4 Miami. The Harris poll had a top five that matched the AP poll.

In the AP poll, No. 11 Oregon is followed by Florida, Texas Tech and UCLA, the other unbeaten to fall on Saturday.

The Bruins lost to Arizona, 52-14, and dropped seven spots in the rankings.

Auburn is No. 15, ahead of West Virginia, Florida State, TCU, Wisconsin and Fresno State.

The final five are Michigan at No. 21, Colorado, Louisville, Georgia Tech and Northwestern.

The Yellow Jackets and Wildcats returned to the rankings, replacing California and Boston College.

The Golden Bears, who lost to Oregon in overtime, are out of the rankings for the first time in the last two seasons.

AP-ES-11-06-05 1930EST