Tide a close second in BCS standings
TUSCALOOSA _ The University of Alabama still isn't considered the college football team to beat this season, but it also depends on whom you ask.
The Crimson Tide (7-0 overall, 4-0 SEC) was narrowly out of the top spot when the first Bowl Championship Series rankings of the season were revealed Sunday afternoon. Just behind Florida, Alabama was listed ahead of Texas.
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Earlier Sunday, Alabama leapfrogged defending national champion Florida into the No. 1 spot of the Associated Press poll, which is not included in the BCS standings. Alabama received 39 first-place votes, with Florida netting 20.
Last week the Tide had just 10 first-place votes, compared to the Gators' 50. Saturday, Alabama beat No. 22 South Carolina 20-6, while Florida edged Arkansas 23-20 on a last-second field goal.
However, the Tide was second in the coaches' poll, with Florida getting 49 first-place votes and Alabama receiving nine.
The BCS standings will determine the two teams that will play for the national title Jan. 7 in Pasadena, with the Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls falling in line.
Alabama spent five weeks at No. 1 last season, but not until after it defeated Arkansas State 35-0 on Nov. 1, just before its showdown with LSU. That helped set up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with Florida in the SEC Championship Game.