BATON ROUGE — LSU’s win over Ole Miss coupled with Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech propelled the Tigers to No. 3 in the nation in both the USA Today Coaches poll and the Associated Press poll on Sunday.
The No. 3 ranking matches the highest ranking for the Tigers this year. LSU was ranked No. 3 in both the USA Today Coaches poll and the Associated Press poll in consecutive weeks on Sept. 11 and Sept. 18.
The Tigers, winners of eight straight since a 30-27 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sept. 26, can clinch a berth in the SEC Championship Game with a win over Arkansas on Friday. The Tigers bring a 9-1 overall mark and a 6-1 league record into the Arkansas game. The Razorbacks, winners of two straight, stand at 4-6 overall and 2-5 in league play.
Southern Cal, despite a scare from Fresno State on Saturday, remained No. 1 in both polls, followed by Texas at No. 2. Penn State is ranked No. 4 after closing out its season on Saturday with a win over Michigan State. Virginia Tech rounds out the top five in both polls.
Notre Dame is No. 6 in both polls, followed by Ohio State, Oregon, Auburn and Miami to round out the top 10 in both polls.
Other SEC teams in the rankings include Georgia at No. 13 in both polls, followed by Alabama at No. 14 and Florida at No. 19.