AP Poll: Arizona State jumps two spots in latest rankings

The Arizona State football team didn't play its best football for the second week in a row, but the Sun Devils were still able to climb in the AP poll from their previous spot at No. 21.

The Sun Devils are up to the 19th spot in the week 12 AP rankings after a 30-17 victory against Oregon State on Saturday night.

Arizona State struggled offensively throughout the evening and relied on an outstanding effort from its defense to lock down the upset-minded Beavers.

The AP poll continues to rank the Sun Devils below their spot in the BCS rankings and other computer calculations. The Sun Devils entered the week as the No. 19 team in the BCS rankings and that number is almost certain to rise when the latest BCS rankings are released on Sunday evening.

Arizona State is the seventh-highest ranked team with at least two losses in the AP poll as they sit behind six two-loss teams and a three-loss LSU squad that is ranked 18th overall.

The Sun Devils have not been ranked as high as 19th in the AP poll since they secured the 18th spot with a 5-1 record in 2011.

On Saturday Arizona State will face an 8-2 UCLA team that dropped from 13th to 14th this week after a victory against the Washington Huskies.

The Sun Devils and the Bruins are joined by three other Pac-12 teams in the AP top 25 as Oregon, Stanford, and USC are also in the rankings this week. The Trojans broke into the poll at No. 23 with a 20-17 upset of the Cardinal who dropped to 10th overall this week.

Alabama and Florida State held down the top two spots respectively, but Baylor hopped over Ohio State and now owns the 3rd overall ranking.

The Week 12 AP Poll