Thoughts on the AP Poll: Duke falls out of top 25 after controversial loss

With many of the top teams in the country enjoying an open date, there was still some shuffling in the lower portion of the AP top 25, which was released Sunday.

ACC Coastal drama: Duke, Pittsburgh fall out; Tar Heels No. 21

The Blue Devils fell to 6-2 on a controversial ending Halloween night against Miami, one that resulted in a two-game suspension for the on-field and replay officials. The ACC announced Sunday that errors in officiating effectively cost Duke a win, but the voters did not care—head coach David Cutcliffe's squad is out of the top 25 and received just seven votes. Elsewhere in the ACC, North Carolina dispatched No. 23 Pittsburgh on the road Thursday night, moving the Tar Heels to 7-1 on the year and into the No. 21 slot in this week's poll. Duke can bring the Victory Bell back to Durham with a win Saturday in Chapel Hill. The Blue Devils still control their destiny in the race for the ACC Coastal Division with games against the Tar Heels and Panthers in the next two weeks, but the botched calls on Miami's game-winning kickoff return could prove costly.

Notre Dame, Stanford survive upset bids

The Fighting Irish had to hold off a game Temple squad in Philadelphia, surviving multiple red zone interceptions to pull out a 24-20 win. The previously unbeaten Owls fell to No. 23 with the loss. On the West Coast, Washington State was a field goal away from upsetting No. 8 Stanford in Pullman, Wash.—but the Cougars pushed the game-winning attempt right of the uprights as time expired. The Cardinal survived thanks to some big runs, not by Heisman Trophy contender Christian McCaffrey, but by quarterback Kevin Hogan. After the scare, Stanford switched places with Notre Dame in the poll, falling to No. 9. The two squads will meet in the regular season finale in a game that could send the winner on to the College Football Playoff.

Buckeyes dealt a blow on bye week

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was cited on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired early Saturday morning. After recently taking the reins from the struggling Cardale Jones, Barrett will miss next weekend's game against Minnesota before being eligible to return Nov. 14 at Illinois. The Buckeyes had looked like a new team with Barrett under center, and his citation will generate more quarterback discussion in Columbus.