Texas A&M makes big jump to No. 9 in Associated Press Top 25 poll

Texas A&M made a big jump in the Associated Press Top 25 after the most impressive performance of the opening weekend of college football, while Florida State and Alabama lost some support in the first poll of the regular season after close victories against heavy underdogs.

The Aggies moved up 12 spots to No. 9 in the poll released Tuesday. Texas A&M began the post-Johnny Manziel era with a 52-28 victory at South Carolina. The loss dropped the Gamecocks from ninth to No. 21.

The top four in the rankings are unchanged: Florida State, Alabama, Oregon and Oklahoma.

Florida State went from 57 first-place votes to 46 after pulling out a 37-31 victory against Oklahoma State.

Alabama dropped 44 points in the media-panel voting after beating West Virginia, 33-23. The Tide has one first-place vote. Oregon has five and Oklahoma two. No. 6 Georgia has two and No. 12 Louisiana State one.

UCLA fell from No. 7 to No. 11 after its 28-20 victory over Virginia. USC moved up a spot to No. 14 following its 52-13 victory over Fresno State.

Vols lose lineman

Tennessee offensive tackle Jacob Gilliam will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sunday during a 38-7 victory over Utah State.

Gilliam, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on from Knoxville, had been placed on scholarship after spring practice and had opened the year as Tennessee’s starting left tackle. His injury creates more adversity for an offensive line that already was replacing all of last year’s starters, including Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Ja’Wuan James.

Etc.

Quarterback Joel Stave is out indefinitely with an injured right shoulder, leaving Tanner McEvoy the unquestioned starter for No. 18 Wisconsin. Coach Gary Andersen said Stave has been dealing with the injury for a couple of weeks, and there is no timetable for his return. ... Minnesota defensive tackle Scott Ekpe may miss the rest of the season because of a significant injury to his right knee. ... Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly said there was no change in the status of five players who were investigated by the university for possible cheating.