Florida State's Fisher downplays drop in Top 25

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said his team wasn't losing the No. 1 spot in the poll until it lost a game. That was after an overtime victory against Clemson for the program's 19th consecutive win.

The Seminoles were dropped to No. 2 on Sunday after winning a school-record 22 straight games. Fisher had a different perspective at his press conference Monday.

''I don't even think about it, to be honest with you,'' Fisher said. ''We do what we do to win games and the polls will take care of themselves.''

Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) jumped FSU after defeating then-No. 2 Auburn 38-23 on Saturday. Florida State (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat unranked Syracuse 38-20 over the weekend.

FSU had been ranked No. 1 since Dec. 1, 2013.

''They've had three top 10 wins. Mississippi State's got an excellent football club,'' Fisher said. ''All those things will wash themselves out as the season goes on and where you're at. You can go up and down.

''We can go win (against) Notre Dame and that puts us back up there again.''

The Seminoles' position isn't unique, but this exact scenario hasn't happened since 2009, according to STATS LLC.

USC began 2012 as the No. 1 ranked team, but dropped to No. 2 behind Alabama after the first weekend.

Oklahoma was the preseason No. 1 in 2011 and fell to No. 2 after starting 3-0, then to No. 3 despite being 4-0.

Florida started 2009 with five consecutive wins and was the No. 1 team the entire time, but slid to No. 2 behind Alabama despite going 6-0. The Gators regained the top spot the following week.

Both the 2002 Miami and 1995 Florida State teams were ranked No. 1 through their first six wins and eventually dropped without a loss.

FSU cornerback P.J. Williams said there is motivation to prove themselves.

''Always, every week we look to do that,'' Williams said. ''But when we're playing a bigger team on a bigger stage, we definitely look to play a lot harder and show everybody that we are one of the best teams and we can definitely compete on that level.

''I definitely like having doubters.''

The Fighting Irish (6-0) will hit the road as the No. 5 ranked team as both teams have the opportunity for a highlight win. The Seminoles don't have another team on the schedule that is currently ranked. The Bulldogs still must face No. 7 Alabama and finish the season with No. 3 Ole Miss.

FSU left tackle Cam Erving agreed that it's a great opportunity to show how this team can play against a Top 5 team, but bristled when asked if there was any disappointment from falling to No. 2.

''I don't really think about it,'' Erving said. ''I don't want to get into all that. Next question.''