The latest AP Top 25 poll was released Sunday morning following a busy week of college football.

The top five remains unchanged, with Alabama receiving 59 of 60 first place votes after their come-back win on the road at Texas A&M. Oregon received the other first place vote and holds down the number two ranking following their blowout win at home over Tennessee.

Clemson had a bye, and Ohio State and Stanford took care of business to stay ranked third through fifth.

LSU moved up two spots from eighth to sixth, filling the void left by Texas A&M, who slid down to 10th. Florida State stomped Nevada and moved up two spots to eighth, while Louisville and Georgia remain seventh and ninth, respectively, to round out the top 10.

UCLA improved three spots to 13th after their impressive victory over Nebraska in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers fell out of the top 25 following the loss. After a scare against un-ranked Akron, Michigan moved down four positions from 11th to 15th.

Another big mover was Ole Miss, who came from behind to beat Texas on the road and remain undefeated. The Rebels moved up from 25th to 21st. Wisconsin fell four spots to 24th after their unusual loss to Arizona State, who is in the top 25 for the first time this season at number 23. Texas Tech is the only other newcomer to the rankings at 25 after defeating TCU, who was ranked 24th but fell out of the rankings following the loss.

The complete poll can be seen here. 

It was a strange day offensively for the Oregon Ducks. They played fast as usual, scored a ton of points as usual, coasted to a blow out win at home as usual, but all without having a single player rush for 100 or more yards, a first since they beat Cal 59-17 in 2012.

Marcus Mariota and the Ducks aired it out against Tennessee, tearing up their secondary and taking advantage of huge catch and runs by receivers. Mariota more than doubled his total passing yards from the first two games, finishing Saturday’s win with a career high 456.

“There were some things formationally that we thought we could [do to] lock them into a couple defenses, and they had a plan that was similar to what we anticipated and our guys just did a great job of executing that this week,” said Mark Helfrich of the increased number of passing pays. “[We] tried to set up some things early with our formations and verify and validate some of those things that we had in the back of our minds, and the passing game came alive.”

Coming in to Saturday’s game against Tennessee, Oregon had 479 passing yards on the season. Their two, sometimes three or four headed rushing attack averaged 425 yards per game and amassed a school record 500 yards on the ground against Nicholls State.

But Mariota and the Ducks let the nation see another side of the offense this weekend. Oregon threw the ball a season-high 35 times and racked up 471 passing yards, nearly matching their two-week total to start the season. Two receivers, Josh Huff and Johnny Mundt, had over 100 yards receiving, another first since the same game against Cal last season. In total, nine different players caught a pass for Oregon, with Huff, Mundt and Bralon Addison all bringing in at least five.

That isn’t to say the running game wasn’t evident, although it seemed that way given Oregon’s usually absurd rushing yardage totals. The backfield crew, which consisted of nine players on Saturday, collected 216 yards on 41 carries for a very respectable 5.3 average and four touchdowns.

Mariota further solidified himself as one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the game and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate with his line of 23/33 pass completions, 456 yards and four touchdowns, plus 27 rushing yards and a score in what Huff called a performance “for the ages.” His arm can be forgotten easily given the run-heavy nature of the offense, but it’s as strong and accurate as they come.

“Marcus is an unbelievable quarterback,” Huff said. “He showcased that today by how much we passed and how comfortable he felt back there in the pocket … once he finds his rhythm he’s probably one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.”

Oregon’s receiving corps is underrated and chock full of talent, which Huff says opens up countless possibilities on offense.

“We’re way more balanced than we were last year. They can try to shut down the run and we have receivers on our side that can make plays. Our talent across the board is unbelievable. It’s hard for a defense to key in on De’Anthony [Thomas] or Marcus or myself or anybody else when we have a balanced attack like that, it’s unbelievable.”

After a rocky start, Oregon put on an encore performance to their 48-13 rout of Tennessee in 2010. The Ducks cruised to a 59-14 win, improving to 3-0 on the season. Early on it didn’t look like either team would coast to victory. Oregon’s typically smooth and efficient offense was inconsistent and sloppy early on, committing four first quarter penalties including two false starts. Marcus Mariota balked on his first three pass attempts, completely missing intended receivers.

Defensively the Ducks allowed a big play on Tennessee’s second drive, a 51-yard completion from Justin Worley to Josh Smith, setting up a four-yard end zone connection from Worley to Jason Croom. The Tennessee lead was the first for any Oregon opponent this season, but it would be short lived. Mariota found freshman tight end Johnny Mundt for a 16-yard touchdown, putting oregon on top 10-7 after a Matt Wogan 38-yard field goal.

After starting 2-for-7 in the passing game, Mariota found his rhythm and finished the first half 15-for 22 with 350 passing yards, which was already a season-high, and three touchdowns. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his Oregon career with a 20-yard run in the first quarter and finished the first half with 12 yards on five carries after losing yards on two sacks.

The defense found its stride as well. After allowing the touchdown Oregon forced Tennessee to punt on each of their next nine possessions, including six three-and-outs. The Ducks held what had been an efficient offense to a season-low 316 yards, allowing 14 first downs. Brian Jackson led the way for the Ducks, recording six total tackles. Tennessee’s defense had forced nine turnovers entering Saturday’s game, tying them for first in the country, but failed to record any takeaways in the loss.

Mariota ran in a score from nine yards out on the first play of the second quarter, capping off a five-play, 78-yard drive spanning 1:40. It was Mariota’s fourth rushing touchdown of the year, closing him in on his total of five from last season. Each of Oregon’s next three drives lasted under two minutes and all ended in touchdowns. Mariota and Josh Huff connected for a 54-yard catch and run, followed by a 45-yarder to Daryle Hawkins on fourth down. De’Anthony Thomas ended the half with a 28-yard rushing touchdown, increasing the Ducks’ lead to 38-7.

Mundt made some noise in his Oregon debut. With Colt Lyerla ruled out due to flu-like symptoms, Mundt was a go-to target for Mariota in the passing game. Mundt had four catches for 104 yards and a score in the first half, all career firsts, and added another score in the third and finished with five receptions for 121 yards and two trips to the end zone.

“Johnny Mundt is another guy that just works his tail off,” said Mark Helfrich of the true freshman. “Had a great week of practice and [I’m] really, really happy for him and for our guys. He’s one of those guys that you can’t help but like and just works really hard. [The] team’s going crazy for how well he played.” Mundt replaced the usual starter Lyerla, who didn’t play due to flu like symptoms, or what Helfrich called, “circumstances.” Lyerla’s been a huge weapon for Oregon, and now it appears that the Ducks have two reliable tight ends.

“We’ll see going forward,” said Helfrich on Mundt’s future involvement in the offense. “You learn a lot about those guys as they get hit in the face by an All-SEC defensive end and bounce back and play like that… so going forward we’ll see how his role changes, adepts, etc.”

Byron Marshall had a quiet day but added a touchdown of his own, an 11 yard scamper to put Oregon up 52-7. Freshman running back Thomas Tyner tacked on a two-yard run to close out the third quarter with Oregon dominating, 59-7.

The Volunteers responded with a touchdown of their own on an eight-yard Alden Hill touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. This would be the last score of the game.

The story of the day was Mariota and the Oregon offense. After a sluggish start, Mariota set a new career high for passing yards with 456, the first Oregon quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards since Kellen Clemens in 2005.

“I had no idea,” said Mariota on his yardage total. “I just want to make the most of every play. As the game wore on I felt in a rhythm throwing so I think coach Helfrich and coach Frost felt that too, so we kept throwing the ball.”

His chemistry with Huff and Mundt was off the charts, as both pass catchers had career days. Huff tied a career-high with 125 yards on six catches, and Mundt made his name known by showing a strong running style, comparable to Lyerla.

“We just worked with each other a lot during the offseason and I’ve done everything I can to let him know that whenever [he’s] in doubt,  just come to me and I’ll take care of [him],” said Huff on his chemistry with Mariota this season.  ”I feel like he trusts me very well right now. He’s like a best friend to me on and off the field, so to have that type of relationship with a quarterback like that is unbelievable.”

Worley finished his day with 126 passing yards, completing 13 of 26 passes. Smith led the way in receiving with his lone 51-yard catch and the Vols’ two-headed running attack of Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane combined to gain 105 yards.

The Vols are now 2-1 and their schedule doesn’t get any easier. Four of their next five games are against top 25 opponents, including ninth ranked Georgia and two-time reigning BCS champion and top ranked Alabama.

Oregon has a bye week before beginning Pac-12 play against Cal at home.

Tennessee and Oregon’s first meeting in 2010 was severely one-sided; the Ducks rolled to a 48-13 win. Saturday in Eugene, it didn’t look like either team would coast to victory. Oregon’s typically smooth and efficient offense was inconsistent and sloppy early on, committing four first quarter penalties including two false starts. Marcus Mariota balked on his first three pass attempts, completely missing intended receivers.

After Oregon forced a fumble on Tennessee’s second play from scrimmage, three more Mariota incompletions resulted in fourth down and ultimately no points. Alejandro Maldonado missed wide right on a 37-yard field goal, giving the Volunteers the football at their own 20 yard line. Justin Worley’s 51-yard completion to Josh Smith was the highlight of Tennessee’s six-play, 80-yard drive which ended with Worley tossing a four-yard touchdown pass to Jason Croom, his first career reception. The score put the Ducks behind for the first time this season.

Oregon bounced back and got on the scoreboard with a Matt Wogan 38-yard field goal, his first as a Duck. Mariota was sacked for the first time this year on first and goal, pushing the Ducks back to the 15 yard line. A touchdown completion to De’Anthony Thomas was negated due to a pass interference penalty, forcing the Ducks to settle for three points.

After starting 2-for-7 in the passing game, Mariota found his rhythm and finished the first half 15-for 22 with 350 passing yards, already a season-high, and three touchdowns. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his Oregon career with a 20-yard run in the first quarter and finished the first half with 12 yards on five carries after losing yards on two sacks.

Freshman tight end Johnny Mundt made some noise early on. WIth Colt Lyerla ruled out due to flu-like symptoms, Mundt was a go-to target for Mariota in the passing game. Mundt had four catches for 104 yards and a score in the first half, all career firsts.

Oregon’s defense showed large improvements after Tennessee’s scoring drive. Each of the Vols’ next five drives ended in punts, including three three-and-outs. Worley finished 9-for-16 with 100 yards and a touchdown, and the two-headed rushing attack of Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane gained 64 yards on 17 carries.

Mariota began the second quarter with a nine yard touchdown run, his fourth of the season. Mariota is closing in on his rushing touchdown total of five from a season ago. Oregon’s next drive lasted just four plays, capped off by a 54 yard Mariota to Josh Huff catch and run into the end zone. Huff grabbed five passes for 116 yards and is on pace for a career day. Following another Vols punt, Oregon added to their lead on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to Daryle Hawkins on fourth down.

Tennessee’s third three-and-out of the half gave the Ducks the ball back with 2:38 remaining, and six plays later Thomas was in the end zone after a 28 yard run. Thomas had 74 rushing yards on 11 attempts and added a 28-yard reception.

For Oregon volleyball, the 2013 season hasn’t started out as strongly as expected. The Ducks were 4-3 entering the Fresno State Classic this weekend, their last non-conference games until Pac-12 play begins September 25th.

Oregon opened Friday night against Cal State Bakersfield and won in straight sets. The first set was dead even. Bakersfield edged Oregon in kills 17-15 and made fewer attack errors, but the Ducks won the set 25-23. The Roadrunners led most of the way until the Ducks took their first lead of the set 14-13 on an ace by Shellsy Ashen. From then on Oregon wouldn’t look back. They maintained a lead over Bakersfield until Debora Araujo came through with a kill to tie it at 23 a side. Consecutive errors by Bakersfield gave Oregon the first set.

The second set was just as back and forth. Oregon dominated in kills 18-12 and squeaked out the 25-22 win. The Roadrunners led 17-13 late in the set, but Oregon came storming back, winning seven of 11 points to tie it at 20. Tied at 22, a kill by Martenne Bettendorf, an ace by Ariana Williams and a Lauren Plum block gave the Ducks their second consecutive set.

Oregon committed eight attack errors in the final set but still came through and won 25-18, completing the three-set sweep of Bakersfield (5-3). The Ducks (5-3) were in control for most of the third set, holding a lead as large as 21-16.

Plum recorded 36 of Oregon’s 41 assists Friday, bringing her season total to 287. The reigning national leader in assists and Pac-12 setter of the year also led the team with 10 digs and recorded five kills on the night. Williams led the Ducks in kills with 12 and had two service aces.

Oregon will resume play Saturday against Belmont at 10 a.m. and then again at 7:30 p.m. against tournament hosts Fresno State.

The Tennessee Volunteers will be short a player this weekend against Oregon. Defensive lineman Maurice Couch has been ruled ineligible for Saturday’s game on account of an NCAA investigation relating to Couch and other collegiate athletes receiving improper benefits. The report states that Couch and former players D.J. Fluker (Alabama), Tyler Bray (Tennessee), Fletcher Cox (Miss. State) and Chad Bumphis (Miss. State) received payments from Luther Davis, a former Alabama player who allegedly doled out over $12,000  to the five players while working for NFL agents.

***

The Oregon soccer team battled its way to a 0-0 draw in against sixth ranked BYU Thursday night at Papé Field. Two overtime periods weren’t enough to yield a score, despite 35 shots in the game. Ducks keeper Abby Steele made eight saves and, along with stellar defense, helped Oregon to their first win or draw against a top 10 opponent since 2007.

***

A pair of Ducks baseball players were named to Baseball America’s list of top summer league prospects. Scott Hineman was ranked as the 19th-best prospect in the Cape Cod League where he played for the Brewster Whitecaps, hitting .304 and leading the team in several offensive categories. Pitcher Cole Irvin was listed as the 16th best prospect on Team USA. He was released by the College National Team despite finishing with a 0.00 ERA.

When Oregon plays Tennessee on Saturday, the Ducks face their toughest test of the season so far: an undefeated SEC team, one that’s storied history trumps that of most other schools in the country. And although the Volunteers have been mired by mediocrity in recent years, their crop of southern talent always has the ability to win any given football game.

Most talented among this year’s Vols is linebacker A.J. Johnson. The junior led the SEC in total tackles last season with 138 and was top on his team with 8.5 tackles for loss. Nicknamed “The Beast” by his teammates, Johnson was named to just about every preseason All-American and All-Conference team as well as numerous watch lists.

“[Johnson] is a great sideline to sideline guy, really good cover guy. Gets his hands on receivers and makes a ton of plays everywhere.” said Oregon coach Mark Helfrich of Tennessee’s middle linebacker.

The Gainsville, Ga. native stands at 6-feet-2-inches and 243 pounds and ran a 40-yard dash in as low as 4.62 seconds, according to nfldraftscout.com, which ranks him as the top inside linebacker prospect in college. Johnson’s unique combination of size and speed obviously creates problems for opposing offenses, but that’s not the only threat Johnson poses.

Johnson carried the ball 12 times last season and scored a team-high six rushing touchdowns. Tennessee used Johnson in a wildcat formation fittingly called “The Beast,” allowing Johnson to plow the ball into the end zone in goal-to-go situations. He’s yet to get a carry this year, and he may not under new head coach Butch Jones, but the possibility alone causes defenses to have to prepare and mix up their packages.

“Have not yet,” said defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti when asked whether he’s seen Tennessee use the wildcat this season. “They’ve pretty much been a one back team and run spread offense like our guys.”

Johnson and the Vols won their first two games against Austin Peay and Western Kentucky and now enter the meat of their schedule. Five of their next six opponents are ranked in the top 25, three of which are in the top 10. If anyone can lead the Volunteers back to national title contention, it’s Jones, who led Cincinnati to shares of the Big East championship each of the last two seasons.

In their final day of practice before Saturday’s game against Tennessee, Mark Helfrich and Oregon focused on mental aspects of the upcoming matchup.

“Really good day,” Helfrich said. “I think offensively and defensively we had our best mental day of the year… lowest number of mental errors, assignment checks… in that regard, very positive.” Helfrich also noted that he and the rest of the Oregon coaching staff can’t get caught up in “what ifs” when watching game film of a non-conference opponent with a new coaching staff.

“I mean you try to not sway too much from your normal rhythm. You start to look at the ‘what if’ game. What if they do this, that and the other thing, and that’s when you’re just chasing ghosts. We try as much as possible to never be in that mode. I think there’s a little natural tendency to do that, but again, that’s where you go back to your strengths and rely on your guys to make plays and decisions on the field.”

Tennessee’s size, speed and overall athleticism have been stressed this week, and rightfully so. The SEC is known for having some of the best size and talent in the college football world, evidenced by teams from the conference winning each of the last seven BCS national championships. However, Oregon wide-outs Josh Huff and Keanon Lowe are confident that Oregon’s fast-paced offense will wear down Tennessee’s big defense, adding that the Vols’ speed is equally adequate.

“Of course any SEC team’s gonna have size,” Huff said. “With size, it’s easier to wear them down with our tempo and that’s what we’re gonna have to do.”

“I think just overall even in the special teams game, Tennessee has a lot of team speed,” Lowe said. “Of course we’re a fast team, but it’s always a challenge when a team comes in here that can match some of that speed that you have. They can really run. Their DBs fly around, their safeties fly around and their linebackers are physical.”

The SEC is widely touted as the best conference in college football and is thus favored to win many non-conference games. The Pac-12 is on the rise, though, represented by some of the loudest stadiums in the country.

“Personally I feel like the Pac-12 is one of the best [conferences] in the country,” Lowe said. “It’s just another team that’s trying to get a win against us that’s coming into Autzen, and Autzen’s a tough place to play.”

Historically, Oregon football hasn’t fared well against SEC opponents. The Ducks are 4-6 all-time versus the conference, their last two losses being particularly significant, a 22-19 loss to Auburn in the 2010/11 national championship, and a 40-27 defeat to LSU to open the 2011 season.

But this weekend Oregon faces a familiar foe in Tennessee. In fact, Oregon’s last win against an SEC school came against the Volunteers, a 48-13 rout in Knoxville three years ago.

But time is a factor, and the 2013 Vols are much different than the 2010 squad.

“They have a veteran crew and they’re good,” said defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti of Tennessee. “I like their o-line. I like their team. This is an SEC team, it’s a good football team with good athletes. They have been down some, 2-0 this year though. It’s a new year, new coach, new energy.” Tennessee has finished with a 5-7 record in three of the last five seasons, which have featured four different head coaches.

First year head coach Butch Jones comes to Tennessee from Cincinnati, where he went 23-14 in three seasons and led the Bearcats to the top of the Big East standings each of the last two seasons. Aliotti says the Tennessee offense is much like that of Cincinnati’s, with similarities to Oregon’s.

“They’re Cincinnati’s offense. Really they’re a lot of what we do. There’s always nuances to your offense … but they’re completely different than what they were to the last Tennessee team,” Aliotti said.

Head coach Mark Helfrich attested to the overall talent level, saying the players are the most athletic they’ve played this season.

“They’re really talented [on] both sides of the ball,” Helfrich said. “Typical SEC — big, huge up front on the offensive line. Very physical, very athletic. Fast, physical, huge defensive line. Really athletic on the back ends. They’re by far the most athletic team that we’ve played to date.”

Helfrich mentioned two players that specifically stood out on defense; six foot eight inch, 351 pound senior nose tackle Daniel McCullers and junior middle linebacker A.J. Johnson.

“[Johnson] is a great sideline to sideline guy, a really good cover guy, gets his hands on receivers and makes a ton of plays everywhere,” said Helfrich of Johnson.

Helfrich and Aliotti both spoke highly of the Vols’ offensive line, which features a junior and four seniors.

“Their o-line is good, first of all,” said Aliotti. “They’re a veteran crew, they’re big, they’re strong, they’re physical. Probably the best offensive line we’ve faced in some time really.” The average size of the aforementioned group is six feet four inches, 312 pounds.

The latest AP college football polls were released Sunday, revealing little change near the top but a shake up in the middle.

Alabama remains the consensus number one and received all but three first place votes. The Crimson Tide had a bye this weekend and  have a huge date with number 6 Texas A&M next Saturday in College Station. Oregon is still second after cruising to a 59-10 stomping of Virginia. The Ducks received one first place vote and play host to Tennessee next week. Clemson and Ohio State switched spots in the polls and each received one first place vote. The Tigers are now ranked third and the Buckeyes fourth. Stanford rounds out the top five after opening their season with a win at home over San Jose State.

Number 9 Georgia is the lone one-loss team in the top 10. The Bulldogs lost their season opener to Clemson but bounced back with a huge 41-30 victory Saturday against South Carolina, who was ranked sixth at the time. The Gamecocks fell seven spots to number 13.

Miami (FL) surged to 15th in the polls after upsetting the 12th ranked Florida Gators at home. Florida dropped to number 18 and has a bye week before hosting Tennessee September 21.

Ole Miss finds itself in the top 25 for the first time this season after starting their campaign with two wins. The Rebels and Hurricanes took the spots vacated by Texas and USC, who were both upset on Saturday. The Longhorns got blown out on the road by BYU 40-21 and the Trojans put up just seven points in a 10-7 defeat to Washington State at the Coliseum.

The complete poll can be seen here