Arizona Wildcats make gains in AP, coaches polls after defeating Washington

Nov 16, 2014, 7:39 PM | Updated: 7:39 pm

The Arizona Wildcats were able to eke out a home victory over the solid-but-unranked Washington Huskies on Saturday, and Rich Rodriguez’s group was rewarded in two national polls the following day.

The Wildcats ascended slightly in the AP Top 25 poll, going from 17th last week to 15th on Sunday.

They made the biggest jump in the Amway Coaches Poll, going up five spots to No. 13. That’s actually one spot ahead of in-state rival Arizona State, which UA will face in two weeks.

Arizona (8-2, 5-2) was ranked 14th in the College Football Playoff rankings prior to Saturday’s win, but the program won’t find out its new placement until Tuesday.

The Wildcats still have a shot at the Pac-12 South crown, as they are just a half-game behind USC and tied with ASU and UCLA in the divisional standings.

UA will next face Utah (7-3, 4-3) on the road on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Utes were ranked 23rd in the College Football Playoff poll prior to their 20-17 win at Stanford on Saturday.

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Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon (12) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington quarterback Cyler Miles (10) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez, left, and Washington head coach Chris Petersen talk before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (4) runs after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington quarterback Cyler Miles (10) runs away from Arizona defensive lineman Dan Pettinato (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington quarterback Cyler Miles (10) throws down field against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (4) makes a catch in front of Arizona safety Jourdon Grandon (26) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington running back Dwayne Washington (12) celebrates with Michael Hartvigson (84) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington defensive back Sidney Jones (26) intercepts the ball in front of Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona running back Trey Griffey (5) makes a catch in front of Washington defensive back John Ross (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones (1) catches a pass in front of Washington defensive back John Ross (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (4) reacts after losing to Arizona on a last second field goal during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona place kicker Casey Skowron (41) kicks a game winning field goal as time expired during an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona place kicker Casey Skowron (41), middle, celebrates with teammates after kicking a game winning field goal as time expired during an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington running back Dwayne Washington (12) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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