USC jumps to No. 3 behind Clemson, Alabama in final AP poll
TAMPA, Fla. --Clemsonfinished atop The Associated Press college football poll Tuesday, knockingAlabamafrom the spot it held all season, andUSCbecame the first team to finish as high as No. 3 with three losses.
The Tigers were voted No. 1 in the final poll for the first time since 1981. The Crimson Tide were trying to become only the third team to go wire-to-wire as No. 1, but lost 35-31 to Clemson on Monday night in the College Football Playoff championship game.
USC, which started the season 1-3 -- including a 52-6 opening loss to Alabama -- jumped from all the way from ninth in the final regular-season rankings to third.
Washingtonwas fourth, and Oklahomafinished fifth.
Ohio Statewas sixth and Penn Stateseventh, followed by Florida Stateat No. 8.
