After returning to the top 25 last week, UNC ensured themselves another week (and probably two with the upcoming bye week) in the rankings with a win over Virginia. Elsewhere in the country, #2 Ohio State lost, while Alabama beat Texas A&M in a top ten matchup. Here’s how things look now.

AP Top 25 Poll

1. Alabama (60) 8-0
2. Michigan (1) 7-0
3. Clemson 7-0
4. Washington 7-0
5. Louisville 6-1
6. Ohio State 6-1
7. Nebraska 7-0
8. Baylor 6-0
9. Texas A&M 6-1
10. West Virginia 6-0
11. Wisconsin 5-2
12. Florida State 5-2
13. Boise State 7-0
14. Florida 5-1
15. Auburn 5-2
16. Oklahoma 5-2
17. Utah 7-1
18. Tennessee 5-2
19. LSU 5-2
20. Western Michigan 8-0
21. North Carolina 6-2
22. Navy 5-1
23. Colorado 6-2
24. Penn State 5-2
25. Virginia Tech 5-2

Where is UNC?

Thanks to the win over Virginia and losses by Houston and Arkansas, the Tar Heels moved up in the AP poll. It was only one spot up to 21, but they widened the points gap between them and the unranked teams.

Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register had UNC at 13 for some reason. However, he was somehow topped by Kirk Bohls, who has the Tar Heels at 10, ahead of Nebraska and West Virginia.

Conference Breakdown

ACC: 5 teams

Big 12: 3 teams

Big Ten: 5 teams

Pac-12: 3 teams

SEC: 6 teams

American, MAC, Mountain West: 1 each

Welcome and Goodbye

Colorado and Penn State make an appearance in the top 25, while Virginia Tech returns after a one week absence.

Houston, Arkansas, and Ole Miss all drop out after losses.

What are they thinking? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Adam Zucker (CBS Sports Network): Houston at 22, Oklahoma at 23

Jon Wilner (San Jose Mercury News): Arkansas at 17, Baylor at 22

Nathan Deen (Savannah Morning News): Auburn at 6(!!!)

Patrick Brown (Chattanooga Times Free Press): 3-4 SMU at 25

Best Top 25 Games of the Week

#25 Virginia Tech at Pitt: Could be the decisive game in the Coastal Division.

#4 Washington at #17 Utah: The Huskies face their biggest test of the season so far.

#7 Nebraska at #11 Wisconsin: Nebraska could take full control of the Big Ten West.

#3 Clemson at #12 Florida State: The only game likely standing between Clemson and an undefeated regular season.

How are UNC’s opponents doing?

Georgia (4-3): Was idle last week.

Illinois (2-5): Lost 41-8 to Michigan.

James Madison (6-1): Was idle last week.

Pitt (5-2): Was idle last week.

#12 Florida State (5-2): Was idle last week.

#25 Virginia Tech (5-2): Defeated Miami 37-16.

Miami (4-3): Lost 37-16 to Virginia Tech.

Virginia (2-5): Lost 35-14 to UNC.

Georgia Tech (4-3): Was idle last week.

Duke (3-4): Was idle last week.

The Citadel (7-0): Defeated Wofford 24-21.

NC State (4-3) Lost 54-13 to Louisville.

UNC Bowl Projections

Mark Schlabach of ESPN: Belk Bowl vs. Arkansas

Brett McMurphy: Sun Bowl vs. Arizona St.

Colin Becht of Sports Illustrated: Belk Bowl vs. Arkansas

Jerry Palm of CBS Sports: TaxSlayer Bowl vs. Arkansas

Jason Kirk of SBNation: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Maryland