TAMPA, Fla. ? From unranked to No. 6 in the country in the span of three polls.
The University of South Florida catapulted to No. 6 in the Associated Press Poll on Sunday afternoon, just an hour after coming in at No. 9 in the latest Coaches Poll.
USF debuted at No. 23 (AP) and No. 24 (Coaches) for its first ever ranking on Sept. 16. Exactly two week later the Bulls have jumped 17 spots in the AP Poll and 15 spots in the Coaches poll.
The race into and up the rankings began after USF defeated then-No. 17/13 Auburn. Auburn defeated defending national champion Florida in Gainesville last night.
USF was on the verge of the top 25 after the win at Jordan Hare Stadium and appeared for the first time in school history after a bye week on Sept. 16. They followed that ranking with wins over North Carolina (37-10) and No. 5 West Virginia (21-13).
USF is the fastest team in the modern era of college football to go from upstart program to top-10 in the rankings. USF is only in its seventh season as full-time NCAA FBS member and already the top 10.
USF is 4-0 on the season, which is the second best start behind the 1998 team that began 5-0.
The Bulls are only in their seventh season as a full-time NCAA FBS member and have already placed themselves among the elite in college football and at the top of BIG EAST in terms of rankings.
West Virginia is No. 12 in the AP and No. 13 in the Coaches. Rutgers is No. 21 in both polls, while Cincinnati is No. 20 in AP and No. 24 in Coaches.
