[naviga:h3]Texas stays mum on Strong’s future[/naviga:h3]

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas says nothing has been decided on football coach Charlie Strong.

Longhorns athletic director Mike Perrin, in the face of swirling reports that school officials had decided to fire Strong at the end of a third bad season, dismissed them as “rumors” and said the coach would be evaluated after playing TCU on Friday.

Perrin, who has been publicly supportive of Strong all season, didn’t say Strong would return.

“There are a number of rumors out there about the status of Coach Strong. I’ve said it all along, we will evaluate the body of work after the regular season. We have a game to get ready for against TCU on Friday, and I hope our fans will come out and support our team. We’ll discuss where things stand after that,” Perrin said.

[naviga:h3]Big Ten has 3 teams among AP’s top 5[/naviga:h3]

UNDATED — The Big Ten placed three teams in the top five of The Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 56 years, setting up a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup for Ohio State and Michigan.

Alabama was a unanimous No. 1 in the poll released Sunday. The Buckeyes were No. 2 and Wolverines No. 3. They meet in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday.

Clemson is No. 4, and No. 5 Wisconsin gives the Big Ten three of the first five for the first time since Nov. 7, 1960.