College Football Rankings: Oregon No. 3, Stanford No. 9, USC No. 13 In AP Top 25

The AP Top 25 Poll has been released. Back up come the Stanford Cardinal. Down go the USC Trojans. Steady go the Oregon Ducks.

Stanford moves back above the team they just bested in Palo Alto, and they return back to the top ten thanks to an inspired defensive performance at home. USC falls eleven spots after struggling to block anyone for four quarters, turning Matt Barkley into roasted marshmallow.

Oregon rolled through their non-conference schedule with some bad injuries, but for the most part took care of business of a fairly routine 3-0 slate and are right behind Alabama and LSU, ready to pounce in the lineup. Next up comes a top 25 matchup with an offense that's looked just as good as the Ducks in Arizona, who are at No. 22.

UCLA moved up a few more spots after another convincing performance against Houston. They're definitely trending up heading into conference play. Can they keep it together in Pac-12 play?

Curious note: Oregon State has played one football game and they seem next in line 26th in the polls. Strange movement considering how bad Wisconsin looked at home this weekend against Utah State. But the Beavers and Bruins. will probably be playing a one-off in the Rose Bowl for a top-25 ranking anyway (unless Oregon State just edges out UCLA, in which case they might both stick around and we get up to six teams).

Thoughts on the rankings? Pacific Takes will have its blogpoll ballot later on today.

Here's SB Nation's report on the rankings.