Northwestern rises to No. 13 in AP Poll, highest ranking since 2000

Northwestern has achieved its highest AP ranking since 2000. The Wildcats moved up to No. 13 in the Week 6 AP Poll, which was released Sunday.

Northwestern looked dominant in its Big Ten opener Saturday, shutting out Minnesota 27-0. The win, along with results elsewhere around the country, vaulted NU up three spots from its No. 16 ranking last week.

The Wildcats leapfrogged Notre Dame, Georgia, Ole Miss and UCLA. The Fighting Irish lost 24-22 at Clemson, a top 10 team. The Bulldogs were demolished by Alabama at home. The Rebels were beaten badly by Florida (who leapfrogged NU). The Bruins slipped up at home against unranked Arizona State a week after a dominant road win over Arizona.

The last time Northwestern found itself in the top 15 of the AP Poll was 2001, when the Wildcats were ranked 14th in Week 5 after beating Michigan State to go to 3-0. Northwestern's No. 13 ranking this week eclipses that mark.

The last time the Wildcats were ranked this high was Week 11 of 2000, a year in which NU won a share of the Big Ten title. The Wildcats were ranked 12th after a famous 54-51 win over then-No. 12 Michigan.

Northwestern travels to Ann Arbor this upcoming Saturday in a top 20 matchup. The Wolverines, ranked 18th, are one of four other Big Ten teams in the poll. Ohio State (1) and Michigan State (4) retained their top five spots, while Wisconsin dropped out of the top 25 and Iowa (22) made its season debut in the poll.

Here's the top 15 of the Week 6 rankings:

Earlier Sunday, Northwestern came in at No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.