In the preseason poll released on September 17, 1962, Ohio State was the #1 choice for 45 of the 50 voters, and its Big 10 rival, Michigan State was 4th overall. Texas placed second, and SEC rivals Alabama and Louisiana State (LSU) were third and fifth respectively. As the regular season progressed, a new poll would be issued on the Monday following the weekend's games. Ohio State, Michigan State and the other Big Ten schools would not kick off until September 29. On September 22, #2 Texas beat Oregon at home, 25-13. #3 Alabama and #5 LSU both recorded shutouts, defeating Georgia (at Birmingham 35-0) and Texas A & M (21-0) respectively. In the poll that followed, Alabama rose to #1, while Ohio State and Texas fell to 2nd and 3rd. Penn State, which had beaten Navy at home 41-7, rose from 9t