Oregon climbs to No. 1 in AP poll for first time

Known for its ever-changing, often outrageous uniforms and a point-a-minute offense, Oregon now has a new distinction: No. 1 team in the country.

The Ducks climbed to the top spot in the Associated Press football poll for the first time Sunday, moving up one position during an off week after previously top-ranked Ohio State lost 31-18 at Wisconsin on Saturday night.

“We don’t have to talk about rankings with these guys,” Ducks coach Chip Kelly said in a telephone interview. “Whether we’re No. 1 in the country or 101 it won’t affect how we prepare.

“But the only important thing is to be No. 1 in a month and a half on Dec. 5.”

That’s when the final BCS standings come out.

In the AP poll, which is not part of the BCS standings, Boise State also moved up one place to No. 2. Oklahoma jumped three spots to No. 3, passing No. 4 TCU. Auburn moved up two spots to fifth, while the Buckeyes dropped to 11th.

Oregon becomes the 43rd team to hold the No. 1 ranking in the AP media poll, which dates to 1936. The last time a team was No. 1 for the first time was almost 20 years ago to the day, when Virginia rose to No. 1 on Oct. 14, 1990.