Media bias of course exists. However, I'm not sure we can really say anything here.
When a ranked team loses, they drop 6-10 spaces. Period, dot done. Reference: West Virginia, Nebraska, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.
Realize that the only polls that matter come the last week of the season, the rest are a bunch of hot air. Besides - after the first 4-5 teams, I don't think there's much separation between the next 20-30 teams.