USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll
Tennessee matched the second longest consecutive single-season run atop the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll as it topped the rankings for the 10th straight week, the association announced Wednesday.
UT, which moved to 47-2 behind its 22nd straight win, matches the 2001 UCLA Bruins’ 10-week tenure at the top which ran Jan. 24-Apr. 18. The longest stay at No. 1 currently stands at 12 weeks, which was set by Arizona in 1998, UCLA in 1999 and Washington in 2000.
The Lady Vols lead a group of three Southeastern Conference squads in the top 10, matching the Big 12 for the most among all conferences with teams in the first 10 slots.
Alabama and LSU both remained at Nos. 2 and 6, respectively. Oklahoma slipped one place to fourth this week, while Texas A&M stayed at No. 5. Baylor joined the duo of Big 12 foes in the top 10 this week as the Bears jumped three places to No. 10.
The Pac-10 and Big Ten both placed a pair of teams in the top 10, with Arizona and Arizona State coming in at Nos. 3 and 7, respectively, while Northwestern and Michigan landed at Nos. 8 and 9.
Washington moved up one place to 11th this week, immediately ahead of Pac-10 foe UCLA, who made a two-place leap to No. 12. Oregon State progressed three places to No. 13, leaping in-state foe Oregon after the Ducks slipped four notches.
Texas also dipped in the poll this week, falling four places to No. 15. Hawaii landed at No. 16 this week, while DePaul continued its upward move with a one-place jump to No. 17.
Stanford slipped one place to 18th, while Illinois State took over the No. 19 spot, jumping Missouri Valley Conference foe Southern Illinois after the Salukis stayed at No. 20 again this week.
Louisiana-Lafayette dropped for the second straight week, slipping two more places to 21st. Florida stayed at No. 22, just ahead of Virginia Tech. The Hokies earned their first ranking since 1999, coming in at No. 23 following an ACC series win over previous No. 23 North Carolina.
Georgia Tech moved up to 24th this week, switching spots with Fresno State, who moved down a notch to No. 25 this week.
