Alabama still No. 1; Boise State gains first-place votes

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09/07/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alabama remained the top team in the latest Associated Press college football poll, but Boise State gained additional first-place votes after its thrilling victory over Virginia Tech on Labor Day.

The Crimson Tide (1-0) opened the season with a 48-3 rout of San Jose State on Saturday, but lost seven first-place votes from the preseason poll. Alabama earned 47 No. 1 tallies this week, after garnering 54 in the first poll, and received a total of 1,484 points from a nationwide media panel.

Ohio State (1-0), after a 45-7 thrashing of Marshall last Thursday, again held the second spot with four first-place votes and 1,412 points.

Boise State (1-0) rallied for a 33-30 win over Virginia Tech on Monday and solidified its hold of the No. 3 ranking. The Broncos originally picked up one first-place vote in the preseason poll, but were awarded eight this week.

TCU moved up two spots to fourth and is followed by Texas, Nebraska, Oregon, Florida, Iowa and Oklahoma. Texas also earned one first-place vote in the wake of a 34-17 win at Rice on Saturday.

Oregon moved up four spots from 11th after a 72-0 shellacking of New Mexico, while Florida's lackluster 34-12 win over Miami-Ohio dropped the Gators four spots from fourth. Oklahoma, which had received one first-place vote in the preseason poll, dropped three spots from seventh after a 31-24 triumph over Utah State.

The second 10 consists of Wisconsin, Miami-Florida, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Southern California, Florida State, Penn State, LSU and Utah. Virginia Tech dropped just three places from 10th after its loss to Boise State, while Utah is one of three newcomers this week.

Auburn, Georgia, West Virginia, South Carolina and Stanford round out this week's poll. In addition to Utah, South Carolina and Stanford are new this week, while Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Oregon State dropped out of the rankings.

Utah edged then-No. 15 Pittsburgh in overtime last Thursday, 27-24, in Salt Lake City, while South Carolina moved in after a 41-13 victory over Southern Miss. Stanford thumped Sacramento State, 52-17.

North Carolina was 18th and dropped a 30-24 decision to fellow ranked foe LSU in Atlanta after learning that 13 players would be unable to play because of an investigation into academic and agent-related issues, while Oregon State, ranked 24th, also lost a neutral-site game with a 30-21 setback to TCU in Arlington.

Four games this week feature matchups of ranked teams, highlighted by Penn State's visit to Alabama. Also, Florida State travels to Oklahoma and Ohio State welcomes Miami-Florida, while a big early-season SEC matchup pits Georgia at South Carolina.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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