Michigan moves up to No. 3 in AP poll, right behind No. 2 Ohio State

Michigan moved up to No. 3 in The Associated Press college football poll, right behind No. 2 Ohio State, to give the Big Ten rivals their best combined ranking since the 2006 season, when they played the only 1-vs.-2 game in the series.

Alabama remained No. 1 on Sunday with a season-high 60 first-place votes. The Buckeyes stayed No. 2 after an overtime victory against Wisconsin, which fell two spots to 10th. The Wolverines moved up in an off week with Clemson slipping to fourth. The Tigers had their own overtime escape at home against North Carolina State.

Michigan has its best ranking since it was No. 3 after losing to Ohio State in '06.

Nine times the Buckeyes and Wolverines have played The Game with both ranked in the top five. The 2006 game was the only time both were ranked in the top three when they played. The only currently ranked team left for either to play is No. 8 Nebraska, which is at Ohio State on Nov. 5.

Ohio State and Michigan are marching toward a regular-season finale on Nov. 26 that could rank among the biggest games in the history of the storied rivalry.

No. 5 Washington, No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 7 Louisville held their spots.

No. 8 Nebraska moved up two spots and has its highest ranking since Sept. 25, 2011.

No. 12 West Virginia moved up eight spots. The unbeaten Mountaineers have their best ranking since starting the 2008 season at No. 8. It is their best ranking this late in the season since finishing at No. 6 in 2007.

Tennessee dropped nine spots to No. 18 after getting pounded by Alabama for its second straight loss.

Ole Miss fell 11 spots to No. 23, but the Rebels are the first team with a 3-3 record to be ranked since Oct. 18, 2009, when Oklahoma was No. 25 after splitting its first six games.

Miami dropped out after its second straight loss, and Virginia Tech is also out after being upset by Syracuse.