FanHouse Big East writer Brett McMurphy will provide his Associated Press Top 25 ballot each week.A week after seven teams in the Associated Press Top 25 poll lost, things were somewhat a little bit back to normal this past weekend as only four ranked teams lost.
Perhaps it was the calm before the storm.
This week could be the most tumultuous as far as the Top 25 rankings are concerned. Nine Top 25 teams must go on the road in conference play highlighted by two monster showdowns in the SEC: Florida at LSU and Alabama at Ole Miss.
Obviously the SEC showdowns not only will determine the pecking order within the SEC, but also will have huge national implications. Here is my ballot this week with my ranking last week in parenthesis.
- 1. Florida (1)
Under Coach Urban Meyer, the Gators have lost only nine games. LSU is one of only two opponents to defeat the Gators twice. Also since 1999, the Gators have lost at least one game to an SEC West team each season. Is this week's visit to LSU another SEC West stumble? - 2. Texas (2)
Afterthe Longhorns hook Colorado on Saturday, Texas will find out how good it really is with consecutive games against Oklahoma in Dallas and road contests at Missouri and Oklahoma State. - 3. Alabama (3)
SEC West Showdown Saturday when the Crimson Tide visits Ole Miss. Four of Bama's last eight SEC road games (6-2) have been determined by seven points or less. - 4. LSU (4)
Revenge Etoufee served up on the Bayou Saturday? LSU's 51-21 loss to Florida last season was the worst in Coach Les Miles' five seasons at LSU. - 5. Virginia Tech (5)
Hokies own Boston College in ACC title games, defeating Eagles the past two seasons. However, the Eagles have won each of the past three regular season meetings with Virginia Tech. - 6. Boise State (6)
The Broncos' victory against UC Davis Saturday was their 103rd victory this decade. Only Oklahoma (104) has more wins since 2000. Boise State next visits Tulsa on Oct. 14. - 7. Ohio State (8)
After winning 16th consecutive Big 10 road game at Indiana last week, Buckeyes host Wisconsin Saturday. The Badgers are the only team to defeat Ohio State three times this decade in 2001, '03 and '04. - 8. Cincinnati (9)
The Bearcats are the Big East's fifth Top 10 ranked team since 2007. If they remain in the Top 10 will depend on UC's Oct. 15 visit to undefeated South Florida. - 9. USC (12)
Behind RB Joe McKnight, USC continued its dominance against Cal. The Trojans now get a week off before visiting Notre Dame on Oct. 17. - 10. TCU (10)
Off to a 4-0 start, TCU opens Mountain West play at Air Force. Dangerous spot for the Horned Frogs, who are only 4-4 in last eight league road games. - 11. Miami (20)
After impressive 3-1 start, the Hurricanes' schedule weakens with consecutive games against Florida A&M and UCF before returning to ACC play Oct. 24 against Clemson. - 12. Oregon (15)
The Ducks dominated Washington State as the Cougars finished with four first downs and three turnovers. The Ducks' degree of difficulty increases with consecutive games against UCLA, Washington and USC. - 13. Iowa (13)
Somebody figure out the Hawkeyes: 1-point win vs. Northern Iowa, 3-point win vs. Arkansas State and an 11-point win at Penn State. Still, the Hawkeyes are off to their first 5-0 start under Coach Kirk Ferentz and best start since 1995. - 14. Nebraska (14)
Cornhuskers are hoping Thursday's nationally televised visit at Missouri is closer than their last two meetings. Mizzou seal clubbed NU 52-17 in 2008 and 41-6 in 2007. - 15. Houston (7)
Houston, we have a problem - and no defense. The Cougars' BCS bowl hopes crash and burn by allowing 58 points in 58-41 loss at UTEP. - 16. Oklahoma State (16)
Cowboys visit Texas A&M Saturday. Last year's 56-28 rout of the Aggies ended Okie State's four-game losing streak to Texas A&M. - 17. Penn State (17)
Having polished off Illinois last week, Nittany Lions feast on Eastern Illinois this week. Rest of the way not much tougher: only one Top 25 team (Ohio State) left among PSU's remaining six games. - 18. South Florida (19)
USF off this week and then welcomes Top 10-ranked Cincinnati for nationally televised Thursday night contest, Oct. 15. Good news for USF: Bulls 5-0 in last five against AP Top 25 opponents. - 19. South Carolina (22)
Nope, it's New Carolina. Gamecocks should handle Kentucky for a 10th consecutive time Saturday setting up a good one for the Old Ball Coach at Alabama on Oct. 17. - 20. Auburn (NR)
Quality of life better on the Plains. First-year coach Gene Chizik is 5-0 with Auburn, already matching his win total in his two seasons at Iowa State (5-19). - 21. Oklahoma (11)
Oklahoma, OK? Not quite and QB Sam Bradford still isn't either. Last time the Sooners started 2-2 was 2005 - OU's last non-BCS bowl season. Sooners still must play Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. - 22. Kansas (NR)
No one likes to see Jayhawk on Jayhawk crime between football and basketball players. Kansas should handle Iowa State and Colorado the next two weeks before visiting Oklahoma on Oct. 24. - 23. Ole Miss (23)
The past four years for Rebels against Alabama have been Close Miss for Ole Miss. Rebels have lost last four seasons to Alabama by scores of 24-20, 27-24, 26-23 and 13-10. - 24. Georgia (21)
The Bulldogs' nation's toughest schedule has plenty of bite: six of Georgia's 12 regular season opponents are ranked in this week's AP Top 25 poll. - 25. BYU (25)
The Cougars visit Las Vegas looking for fifth consecutive win against UNLV. In past four meetings, BYU has averaged 43 points against the Rebels.
Teams that are close to making my Top 25 (in alphabetical order): Georgia Tech, Missouri, Stanford, Wisconsin
See you later (teams that fell out of my Top 25 this week): California, Michigan
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Well, now its time the politics and big money starts kicking in. just read the rankings, how does a 4-1 Virginia tech team rank higher than a 5-0 team Boise State. For my money I think Boise State can beat any one of those so called top 5 teams
Given how Oregon has been smacking down opponents, you certainly have a legit point.
At least this writer had the good taste to not rank Notre Dame with their two ref-assisted victories.
HMMMM, I love to see a Boise state play the likes of, Florida, Texas, Alabama, or Ohio State. For 1 reason, PROOF of Quality.
You have got to be kidding... put VT or BS in the SEC and lets see how they do. Better yet I will take Vandy or Kentucky or Miss State over VT or BS anyday! Ha!
As a Va. Tech. fan myself, I don't understand it as well.
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Florida would murder Boise state and I don't even like Florida
FLA and TEX would beat them, but LSU would get the crap kicked out of them (read mediocre Offense and Defense) and VA Tech doesn't have enough offense to beat Boise.
Boise is #3 in my book.
I knew once the paroles started coming through again, Miami once again would be a force to reckon with.
Brett the Frett, USC is and was #7 in the AP and Coaches Poll. It's obvious that you and others don't like USC. USC should have played Florida last year for the BCS title game. But guys like you didn't want USC to win another Title. Your probably from the South(SEC). Pete Carroll had to use Corp due to a injured Barkley and a loss to a good Washington team at home. Same happened to Oklahoma. Number 12, get a life Brett Baby.
Nope it is the unofficial punishment for all the illegal recruiting USC does... with all that illegal talent if you don't run the table you don't get to p;lay for the marbles.
ALSO... your offense is so anemic throwing the football to be a top 1 or 2 team is ridiculous... you lost to a probably five loss team and got physically dominated by Ohio State.. nope not this year Trojans.
Yea USC isn't meant to win, though they did beat Ohio State, so obviously the buckeyes didn't play that well after all, and have no business being ranked above USC. As for Boise state they aren't the dynamo team like everybody thinks they are, they finish with such a good looking record because of the lack of competition. They won't and aren't meant for a national title game, maybe if they're moved into a conference with some real competition people will finally see that. And no legitimate Top 25 team gives up 58 points like Houston did to an unranked UTEP, how they didn't fall more than 8 spots is shocking.
Boise State, Ohio State and Cincinatti ahead of USC? Good grief, Charley Brown !!!
Wait, USC lost to Washington this year and they barely beat OSU by 4 points so I think OSU deserves to be above USC, for now.
i don't see how cinc. passed the bucks playing miami of ohio. when the bucks went to ind. and beat a darn good team handily
Until some of the non-BCS teams have a schedule like the BCS teams then there should be no arguments about who can beat who.
I am not a Vir Tech fan, but the reason they jumped Boise St is look at the schedule. They are 4-1 and have already played Bama, Miami and Nebraska. Losing only to Bama. Yeah the other two games was cupcakes but look at Cincy and Boise St 2 big arguments They both KILLED Miami Oh, SO WHAT So did Kentucky and look what Florida and Bama did too them the last two weeks. Yes Boise beat Oregon. The Ducks are a 3 loss team at best.
If Boise or Cincy want respect then they need to play schedules like everyone else. Cincy could easily play in the SEC the are right close to UK. Boise St could jump into the big 10 or 12. But they would rather play weaker schools and complain that they deserve rewards for it. Neither could last very long in a power conference and until they do decide to make a move you folks dont have any arguments.
"until they decide to make a move..." Little known fact for you wcmorri -- you have to be invited to join another conference - you don't just decide to join another conference. BSU has asked to joint the Mountain West with TCU, BYU, Utah, etc -- no response from the Mountain West.
Overall, not a bad top-25. A few comments: I think Bama deserves to jump Texas, having a quality win over Virginia Tech. Based on their win over Penn State, Iowa deserves to be in top 10. Kansas deserves to be ranked higher as well. BYU should be in the neighborhood of #14. Ohio State hasn't played anyone but USC (and they lost), they need to be almost out of top 20 (#19 will do). Oklahoma should be out of top 25 completely, replaced with Wisconsin. USC is right around where they should be. I have them at #12.
Dear Fanhouse,
FYI, On October 24th, it is OU AT KU this year. Hopefully Sam is better and it will be a contest, should then be fun to watch.