Kirin Pope

Kirin, the quietly excellent top got better: Texas moved up to No. 4, Indiana to No. 5, Alabama to No. 12, and Virginia, the crowd's third pick, walked into the poll at No. 25. Washington gave six back by slipping to 19th. Ten points, 205, and 60 places, to 122nd. Mark Nelson, five teams in common, is 73rd at 214.

Saturday is Texas against No. 1 Ohio State in Austin, 22 entries against 44, and the rare pick at the top of your entry is the home team. Clemson lost in Baton Rouge with no votes; Florida holds 83. Louisville lost and somehow kept 24th, so Friday against Villanova matters. Alabama goes to Kentucky.