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College Football Rankings: Final USA Today Poll Puts Michigan Ahead Of MSU

There is disagreement over where Michigan and Michigan State should be ranked in the final college football rankings of the season. One poll has both in the top 10, whereas another has neither higher than 11th.

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With the BCS National Championship Game in the books, the final college football rankings of the season have been released. At the top of the USA Today Poll, there are no surprises. Monday night's winner, Alabama, is No. 1, followed by LSU, Oklahoma State and Oregon. Arkansas, yet another SEC team, rounds out the top five.

The bottom half of the top 10 is pretty interesting. Boise State, Stanford and South Carolina occupy spots 6-8. Next, at No. 9, is Michigan, which won the Sugar Bowl. Somehow the Wolverines finished one spot ahead of Michigan State, which won the Outback Bowl, even though the Spartans beat Michigan in the regular season.

You can check out the full USA Today Poll below.

Rank Team Record Votes Previous
1 Alabama (59) 12-1 1,475 2
2 LSU 13-1 1,404 1
3 Oklahoma State 12-1 1,367 3
4 Oregon 12-2 1,290 5
5 Arkansas 11-2 1,188 7
6 Boise State 12-1 1,162 6
7 Stanford 11-2 1,106 4
8 South Carolina 11-2 1,084 9
9 Michigan 11-2 925 12
10 Michigan State 11-3 912 13
11 Wisconsin 11-3 911 8
12 Baylor 10-3 775 16
13 TCU 11-2 710 15
14 Houston 13-1 673 17
15 Oklahoma 10-3 610 19
16 Kansas State 10-3 602 10
17 Virginia Tech 11-3 574 11
18 West Virginia 10-3 554 22
19 Southern Miss 12-2 429 21
20 Georgia 10-4 345 18
21 Cincinnati 10-3 248 24
22 Clemson 10-4 237 14
23 Florida State 9-4 205 25
24 Nebraska 9-4 144 20
25 Brigham Young 10-3 79 NR

Also receiving votes: Northern Illinois 36, Missouri 33, Texas 29, Auburn 28, Rutgers 11, Penn State 10, Texas A&M 5, Virginia 4, Temple 2, Washington 2, Arkansas State 1, Florida 1, Louisiana-Lafayette 1, Mississippi State 1, Notre Dame 1, Ohio 1