Published: November 09, 2009 12:17 am      

Panthers move up to top 10

Pitt took advantage of losses by teams ahead of it – including its former rival on the field – to move into the top 10 in a November college football poll for the first time since 1982.

The Panthers (8-1) are ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 and No. 9 in the coaches poll.

Coach Dave Wannstedt’s team, which was ranked No. 14 by the AP before it beat Syracuse 37-10 on Saturday, took advantage of losses by Oregon, Iowa, LSU and Penn State. Pitt also leapfrogged Southern California and Houston, which had close victories on Saturday.

The Panthers weren’t as fortunate in the Bowl Championship Series standings, moving up just one spot to No. 12 – behind LSU, USC and Ohio State, all of which had two losses – as well as Iowa.

Penn State dropped eight spots – to No. 19 – in the AP poll after a 24-7 loss at home to Ohio State. The Nittany Lions are 18th in the BCS standings and 17th in the AP poll.

The first six spots were held by major college football’s six unbeaten teams, with Florida, Texas and Alabama making up the top three for the second consecutive week. Florida received 39 first-place votes, Texas received 10 and Alabama 11.

TCU moved up two spots to No. 4, bumping No. 5 Cincinnati and No. 6 Boise State back a spot.

The Horned Frogs have their highest ranking since Oct. 15, 1956, when they were also

No. 4.

The top six in the BCS standings were the same as the AP Top 25, except Alabama was second in the BCS standings and Texas was in third.

Oklahoma, Notre Dame and California dropped out after losses.

Stanford (6-3) moved into the rankings after knocking off Oregon 51-42 to become bowl eligible.

“We were confident. There was definitely no fear going into this game,” Stanford running back Toby Gerhart said.

The Cardinal finished the 2001 season ranked, but haven’t been since. That was also the last season Stanford played in a bowl.

Oregon fell seven spots to No. 14.

No. 24 Clemson also made it into the Top 25 for the first time this season. The Tigers (6-3) beat Florida State 40-24 to take control of the ACC’s Atlantic division race.

South Florida moved back into the rankings during an off week.