UNDATED (AP) — A look at the top of The Associated Press college football poll might produce this reaction: One of these things is not like the other. Cincinnati sits at No. 2 in the latest Top 25 presented by Regions Bank, right behind top-ranked Georgia and ahead of No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Ohio State. That’s three programs with a combined 24 national championships staring at the Bearcats taillights. It could be tough for Cincinnati to hold on to that lofty ranking, even if it keeps winning in the American Athletic Conference because those blue-bloods have a bunch of big games still on the schedule. Reality Check backs the Bearcats at No. 2 —- for now..

UNDATED (AP) — Georgia’s defense leads three statistical categories as the college football season reaches the midway point. The Bulldogs are allowing an average of just over six points per game, 145 yards passing and 201 total. LSU’s Tyrion Davis-Price turned in the top rushing performance of the season, so far, with 36 carries for a school-record 287 yards against Florida. Colorado State’s Cayden Camper continues to be the nation’s most prolific field goal kicker.  He was 5 for 6 against New Mexico after making all six of his attempts against San Jose State. He has at least five field goals in three games.

UNDATED (AP) — Cincinnati has moved up to No. 2 behind Georgia in The Associated Press college football poll for the best ranking for a team from outside the traditional power conferences since 2010. The Bulldogs remained a unanimous No. 1 with 63 first-place votes in the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank. The Bearcats inched up a spot, taking advantage of Iowa’s loss to Purdue. The Hawkeyes dropped nine places to No. 11. The Boilermakers moved into the rankings at No. 25, snapping the longest current AP poll drought for a Power Five school. Purdue was last ranked in 2007. No. 24 Texas-San Antonio is ranked for the first time in the history of the program. Oklahoma is No. 3, followed by Alabama and Ohio State. 

UNDATED (AP) — In the Southeastern Conference, the coach on the hot seat can change from week to week. Welcome, Dan Mullen. The Florida man had a lot of explaining to do after the 20th-ranked Gators lost to LSU and last week’s coach-in-big-trouble Ed Orgeron. While Gators fans are starting to run short on patience for Mullen, he seems safe. Certainly much safer than Orgeron and a couple of other coaches at programs with national championship pedigrees. Nebraska’s Scott Frost and Miami’s Manny Diaz again subjected their fans to excruciating losses. Meanwhile, No. 2 Iowa’s unbeaten season came to end against Purdue.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler and Miami’s D’Eriq King have been two of the most prominent football players to cash in as athlete endorsers since the NCAA allowed it July 1. King is now out for the season with an injury and Rattler has struggled badly enough to get benched. Those who work with athletes, schools and brands say everything about celebrity compensation for college athletes is still evolving. They say the change in status of a couple of high-profile quarterbacks is unlikely to cool off the market.

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