Miami jumped over unbeaten Alabama, though just barely, and into the no. 3 spot in the Associated Press Top 25. The Hurricanes moved up two spots yesterday in the media poll behind no. 1 USC and no. 2 Texas, a day after their 27-7 victory at previously unbeaten Virginia Tech. Alabama improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 win at Mississippi State, but stayed put in the Top 25. Only two points separate Miami (1,452) and Alabama (1,450).

USC and Texas have been at the top of the rankings since the preseason. USC extended its record stay at no. 1 to 29 straight polls. The Trojans, who have won 31 straight games, received 57 first-place votes and the Longhorns got the remaining eight. The Hurricanes have won seven straight games since losing their season opener, 10-7, at Florida State.

Yesterday’s news wasn’t all good for Miami, though. The Hurricanes believe that tailback Tyrone Moss will miss the remainder of the season because of what’s been preliminarily diagnosed as torn left knee ligaments, an injury suffered in the win over Virginia Tech. Miami coach Larry Coker said an MRI would probably be performed today to determine the severity of Moss’s injury, but sounded certain that the junior’s season is over.