Notre Dame, Alabama end season 1-2 in AP poll
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Notre Dame ended the regular season as the top-ranked college football team in the Associated Press poll for the first time since 1988.
The Fighting Irish beat USC last week and will play No. 2 Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013. Notre Dame will play for its first national title since 1988.
The Crimson Tide defeated Georgia by a 32-28 margin in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama will try to capture its second straight national title and third in four years.
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Ohio State moved up one spot to the third spot. The Buckeyes are ineligible for the postseason in Urban Meyer's first year after the NCAA levied a one- year bowl ban as part of penalties stemming from Jim Tressel's tenure.
Florida is No. 4, Oregon is fifth and Georgia fell to sixth. Kansas State, Stanford, LSU and Texas A&M round out the top-10.
The second 10 consists of South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida State, Clemson, Oregon State, Northern Illinois, UCLA, Utah State, Michigan and Boise State.
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Northern Illinois jumped up three spots to No. 16 after beating Kent State for the Mid-American Conference title.
Northwestern, Louisville, Nebraska, San Jose State and Kent State are the last five teams ranked.