Rising Tide is No. 2 behind Florida

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Alabama's steady rise in the rankings has left the Crimson Tide with a clear view of No. 1 Florida.

Alabama jumped Texas into second-place behind top-ranked Florida in the AP Top 25 yesterday, giving the Southeastern Conference the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country.

The Crimson Tide moved up one spot after rolling over Mississippi 22-3. Texas, which had been No. 2 all season, slipped a spot after sputtering early in a 38-14 victory against Colorado.

The Gators and Tim Tebow beat LSU 13-3. They have been an overwhelming No. 1 since the preseason, but support for Alabama has steadily grown.

Florida received 50 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel, a season low. The Crimson Tide received 10 first-place votes, up from five last week.

It's the second time in the past two seasons that Alabama and Florida have held the top two spots in the rankings. Last year, the Crimson Tide was No. 1 and the Gators No. 2 for two weeks before they played in the SEC title game.

No. 4 Virginia Tech, No. 5 Boise State and No. 6 Southern California each moved up one spot.

Sanders: Agent not at meeting with Bryant

Former NFL player Deion Sanders said his longtime agent was not present for his meeting with Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant and the star didn't give the player any gifts.

Sanders said on the NFL Network's "NFL Gameday Morning" that agent Eugene Parker was "not whatsoever" involved in the meeting at Sanders' home and there wouldn't have been any problems if Bryant hadn't falsified his story to the NCAA.

"Now, the problem was someone -- they wanted to question Dez about our relationship and Dez was nervous about 'Why do these NCAA people have me in this room with a closed door questioning me?' Now, had I been a liar or falsified any incident or evidence, my story would have collaborated with Dez," Sanders said. "The kid said he didn't come to my home. In actuality, he did."

The All-America receiver, who was ruled ineligible by Oklahoma State, issued a statement earlier this week that he "made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA."

Oklahoma State is applying for Bryant's reinstatement.

Michigan suspends CB indefinitely

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan suspended cornerback Boubacar Cissoko indefinitely for violating team rules. Coach Rich Rodriguez made the announcement Saturday night after Iowa beat the Wolverines 30-28.

Cissoko told a reporter earlier in the day he didn't travel with the team because he was "banged up," but would return in the next game. He started every game last year and the first four games this season. Cissoko lost his job in the fifth and was suspended for the sixth.

Michigan (4-2) has lost two straight games on the road after winning its first four at home.

Walk-on punter dies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A walk-on punter at the University of Southern Mississippi died four days after being shot while home on fall break.

White, Ranson & White Mahon Funeral Homes in Union City, Tenn, said 18-year-old Peter Wilkes, of Union City, died Saturday at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.

Services are incomplete. Southern Miss spokesman Jack Duggan said the school would have a statement after funeral services were set.