In brief: LSU, Alabama atop AP poll

College football: LSU and Alabama are the top two teams in the country one month before their game in Tuscaloosa.

The SEC West rivals held the first two spots in The Associated Press college football poll released Sunday as the second-ranked Crimson Tide jumped past No. 3 Oklahoma.

Alabama’s rise gives the Southeastern Conference the top two teams in the country for the 10th time in the last four seasons. And for the first time since 2000, the Nos. 1 and 2 teams reside in the same division. That season Nebraska and Kansas State of the Big 12 North held the top two spots in the AP poll for one week.

The Tide beat Florida 38-10 on Saturday night in Gainesville, then received 12 first-place votes in the media rankings.

LSU remained No. 1 for a second straight week, receiving 40 first-place votes and 1,473 points. Alabama had 1,435 points. The Tigers play the Tide on Nov. 5 in a game that could ultimately decide the division – and much more.

Wisconsin also moved up after a big victory, jumping three spots to No. 4 after a 48-17 win against Nebraska.

Associated Press

Welliver returns to ring tonight

Boxing: Chauncy Welliver’s mission to China resumes tonight in Tianjin with a 12-round defense of his World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific heavyweight title against Rob Calloway.

In his second visit to the country, the Spokane fighter (49-5-5) goes for a 15th straight victory against a 42-year-old veteran whose 71-12-2 record includes 57 knockouts, as well as losses to former world champions Ruslan Chagaev and Hasim Rahman. Calloway, however, hasn’t fought since winning a six-round decision in August 2010.

Welliver, ranked No. 10 by the WBO and eighth by the World Boxing Council, will also be fighting for the vacant WBO China Zone title.

John Blanchette