Ed Note: This post snuck out live a little early, so if you think the comments are creating a tear in the fabric of space/time, that's why.
Swagger was back, if just for one fleeting Saturday evening as Miami got their season (and BCS bowl aspirations) back on track defeating Oklahoma in the marquee game of the weekend. USC was also particularly impressive, completely dismantling a once respected Cal squad and putting the nail in the coffin of Jahvid Best's Heisman candidacy.
With our two top teams on bye weeks, we saw Alabama bounce back from early adversity in the Bluegrass State, LSU bring their A-defensive game but continue to look completely lost offensively, and Matt Barkley look comfortably under center for longer than just 2 drives. LSU could upset Florida next weekend, but our gut instinct is that either way this Top 5 stay may not be long for this world.
With Houston getting absolutely embarrassed by mediocre CUSA team UTEP, slots 10-15 are totally in flux. We'd love to hear your opinion on who you think belongs where in the space below.
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| 1 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at LSU, 8:00 p.m. | -- |
| 2 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Colorado, 7:15 p.m. | -- |
| 3 |  |
'Bama broke this one open after getting off to a slow start (only led 7-6 after 1, where as Florida led @ UK 31-0 after 1). Mark Ingram showed Alabama has a legit two thronged rushing attack by running for 140 yards on 22 carries. QB Greg McElroy's now thrown 8 TDs with 0 INTs in his last 4 games. Next up: at Mississippi 3:30 p.m. | -- |
| 4 |  |
Absolutely dominated once heralded Cal 30-3 on the road in Berkeley. Joe McKnight ran for 119 yards and 2 TDs, and Matt Barkley had almost 200 yards passing in the first half alone (finished with 283 for the day). The Trojan D held former Heisman candidate Jahvid Best to just 47 yards on 14 attempts. All-American safety Taylor Mays even tacked on a touchdown saving interception in his first game back from an injury suffered in the OSU game. Next Up: at Notre Dame in 2 weeks. |  1 |
| 5 |  |
LSU needed a suspect excessive celebration penalty coupled with a complete defensive breakdown by the Georgia Bulldogs to escape Athens with a 20-13 victory. Impressively held Georgia to just 45 yards, but continues to look uninspiring offensively. LSU will have their opportunity to silence the doubters with #1 Florida coming to Baton Rouge next Saturday evening. Next up: Florida, 8:00 p.m. |  1 |
| 6 |  |
Cruised to victory in a game not even as close the score indicated 33-14. The offensive line absolutely had their way with the Hoosiers producing the Buckeyes first 100 yard rusher in 2009. Defense continues to give opponents fits limiting Indiana to just 228 total yards. next up: Wisconsin 3:30 p.m. | 1 |
| 7 |  |
Boise State was on cruise control early and often Saturday, but wrapped up a sloppy 34-16 victory on FCS UC Davis. The Broncos showed their usual offensive prowess putting up 386 yards of total offense, though shot themselves in the foot repeatedly amassing 6 penalties totaling 91 yards. Boise continues to live off momentum from their opening week dominance over suddenly relevant Oregon, though a week from Wednesday's out of conference matchup with Tulsa could prove telling. Next up: at Tulsa 10/14 | 1 |
| 8 |  |
Virginia Tech legged out a shaky performance over perennial ACC doormat Duke 34-26. Tyrod Taylor threw for a career-best 327 yards going 17/22 throwing the ball, truly a superhuman feat for a QB who normally completes under half of his pass attempts. Tech also added 150 on the ground while holding Duke to just 38 yards rushing. Next up: Boston College 12:00 p.m. | 1 |
| 9 |  |
Despite some difficulties getting their usually dangerous passing attack fully operational, Cincinnati routed Miami University 37-13. Running back Jacob Ramsey chipped in 103 yards rushing on 12 attempts. While Cincinnati's time of possession would otherwise be troubling (just 19:09 with the rock), the Bearcats found a way to score both rapidly and efficiently as they stay unbeaten. Next up: after a bye, at South Florida 10/15 | 1 |
| 10 |  |
TCU shook off a slow start out of the gates to take down SMU 39-14. TCU brought a rather balanced attack against the Mustangs accruing 229 yards on the ground and 189 yards passing. Conversely, the Horned Frogs D held the Mustangs to a mind blowing -29 yards rushing. The Horned Frogs being Mountain West conference play next weekend. Next up: at Air Force, 7:30 p.m. | 2 |
| 11 |  |
The Hawkeyes continued to play down to their opposition, beating Sun Belt representative Arkansas State just 24-21. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for a career high 296 yards but also accounted for 2 INTs, one returned 75 yards for 6 points for the Red Wolves. Iowa will have to rediscover the edge that lead them a statement victory on the road in Nittany Lion to have a shot at Pasadena. Next up: Michigan 8:05 p.m. | 2 |
| 12 |  |
The Canes rediscovered their winning ways upsetting Oklahoma 21-20 behind 150 yards rushing by Javarris James. Miami's offensive line returned to their impressive form from the Florida State game a week after getting blown off the line by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The Miami defense was particularly impressive, stopping a 95-yard sooner drive and forcing OU to settle for 3. Next up: Florida A&M. | 4 |
| 13 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Nebraska 9:00 p.m., Thursday 10/8 | 2 |
| 14 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Iowa State 12:30 p.m. | 4 |
| 15 |  |
Credit where credit's due: Auburn traveled into Neyland and left town with a 26-22 victory over Tennessee, but not before their defense lowered Jonathan Crompton's ineffectiveness from his usual terrible to just merely bad. The Tigers continue to reap the benefits of a paper thin schedule, though their offense continues to put up yards in bunches. Gus Malzahn's offensive put up 235 yards through the air and a nearly symmetrical 224 on the ground against the Vols. Next up: at Arkansas, TBA | 1 |
| 16 |  |
The Nittany Lions bounced back from their home loss to Iowa by cruising past Illinois 35-17. Running backs Stephon Green and Evan Royster each topped the century mark while Daryl Clark looked far more comfortable than he did a week prior against the Hawkeye's ferocious D. Next up: Eastern Illinois, 12:30 p.m. | 1 |
| 17 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m. | 4 |
| 18 |  |
Lost a tough contest at Miami 20-21. On the plus, defending Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford should return as the Sooners take on Robert Grifflin-less Baylor. Next up: Baylor, 3:30 p.m. | 10 |
| 19 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at Missouri, 9:00 p.m., Thursday 10/8 | 4 |
| 20 |  |
Oregon continued to look like the team many thought they'd be going into the season demoralizing Washington State 52-6. By comparison USC only defeated Wazzou 27-6. The Ducks saw good Jeremiah Massoli show up for the second straight week, going 14/18 for 116 and a TD through the air. Next up: at UCLA, 3:30 p.m. | 2 |
| 21 |  |
The undefeated Wisconsin Badgers continued their march towards the Horseshoe by defeating Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium 31-28. Running back John Clay put up a ridiculous 184 yards and 3 TDs while the Badgers D held the Minnesota ground game to just 57 yards. Scott Tolzien was an effective game manager, though he'll have to be more than that for the Badgers to have a shot in Columbus next weekend. Next up: at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. | -- |
| 22 |  |
BYU took out their frustrations from their new show performance against Florida State two weeks prior on have not in-state rival Utah State to the count of 35-17. Harvey Unga ran for 118 yards and a touchdown, though BYU was held below 300 yards passing for the second straight game after throwing for over 300 in each of his first 3 contests. Next up: at UNLV, 10:00 p.m. | -- |
| 23 |  |
The Irish had their 4th straight down-to-the-last snap contest escaping Washington 37-30 in OT. Golden Tate played out of his mind with 9 grabs for 244 yards and a score. The Irish's relentless blitzing attack limited Washington quarterback Jack Locker to just 22/40 passing. Next up: USC, after a bye week. | -- |
| 24 |  |
GT continued their unrelenting ground assault beating Mississippi State 42-31. Josh Nesbitt joined Tyrod Taylor with career days through the air going 11/14 266 yards, a score, and most importantly no interceptions. Tech failed to have a one hundred yard rusher, though Jonathan Dwyer did account for 83 and a TD. Tech's defense as per usual couldn't stop anyone, but as long as the offense stays in sync as it's been in every game aside from the Miami contest, they should have no problem winning shootouts all season long. Next up: at Florida St, 8:00 p.m. | -- |
| 25 |  |
USF broke former Duke point guard Greg Paulus' brain in amassing 5 INTs, including a pick 6 and defeating Paulus' Orange 34-20. USF had a 12/20 for 208 yards and 2 TD performance from new starter B.J. Daniels and had complete control of this game from early in the 3rd quarter on. The Bulls have a bye work to continue to get better before taking on fellow uneaten Cincy in 2 weeks. Next up: Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. | -- |
Dropped Out: Houston (#11), Georgia (#19), Michigan (#20), Mississippi (#24), California (#25). (Last Week's Ballot)
Comments
Has anyone seen the joke that is the AP poll?
Cincy jumped us for 8th.... yes i said that right 8th in the country.
Virginia Tech moves up to 5th after struggling with .... Duke?
USC doesn't move at all....
I'm officially done with the AP. They really have no idea what's going on.
This CBS Blog poll is the most saine poll i've seen yet.
Well, they DID beat Miami... Weird that Miami played two games this weekend. Wait, you mean there's a Miami of OHIO? Well, they're called "Miami," so they must be a pretty quality opponent.
I think the bigger travesty here is that Oklahoma, who's 2-2, is still in the AP top-20. What the motherf*cking sh*t is that?! They're 2-2 with a loss to BYU (BYU got crushed by Florida State, who lost to Miami, FL...who just beat Oklahoma!).
Cincy deserves their ranking, though. They're the class of the Big East, who's stronger than the insane preseason rankings gave it credit for, and if they go undefeated, they deserve their title shot.
If we handedly beat 5-0 Wisconsin...watch for us to jump up.
Class of the Big East, maybe, but how can we know? They haven't played a ranked opponent yet, and it doesn't look like they will all season. Maybe we could have a year where we play a bunch of FCS and MAC teams, then for our conference schedule we play the worst 6 or 7 teams in the conference that year. That would seriously make us look awesome, except Ohio State couldn't get away with having a cupcake schedule the way that Cincinnati can.
Well, you say they won't play anyone ranked, and I'll counter that by saying that it's not Cincinnati's fault that the media and the coaches fucked up their preseason rankings. USF is good, Pitt is good, West Virginia is decent, Syracuse despite their record is better than previously thought. Rutgers is 3-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of the Bearcats who crushed them.
I'm less impressed with the rankings this year...the Big 12 is immensely overrated, with several notable non-conference losses that are boosting non-BCS team perception (Houston, BYU). The SEC had the wrong teams ranked at the beginning of the season (Auburn NR, Georgia not nearly as good as they thought).
Cincinnati's schedule is cupcake? They went out to Corvallis and beat an Oregon State team that almost won the Pac-10 last year, and is still boasting the Rogers brothers. And like I said above, their Big East slate isn't full of slouches.
I could argue that Ohio State's schedule is still full of cupcakes. The Big Ten was 1-7 in bowls, and there were no notable non-conference wins this year in the Big Ten (Michigan over ND if you want to count that).
Personally, what I'm seeing from the Big Ten this year is pretty strong. Wisconsin and Michigan are certainly stronger than last year, as is Minnesota, Penn State is teetering, Iowa is a ?-mark but could be good.
Point is, Show me where Cincinnati and Ohio State's schedule AT THIS POINT IN THE SEASON really differ all that much. Oregon State might not be the best Pac-10 team, but USC might not be the best Pac-10 team either (Stanford, Oregon). Cincy beat their team on the road, Ohio State lost at home. UC played an FCS team...crushed them 70-3, and beat a pesky Fresno State team. Ohio State played a MAC school, shut out Toledo, and struggled against Navy...I call it a draw. Both have wins over conference foes of similar difficulty (Indiana, Illinois, Rutgers).
From an unbaised standpoint, there's really not much difference, and therefore you give the edge to Cincinnati for being undefeated.
By SEASON'S END however, Ohio State has tremendous upside if it can beat Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Minnesota, and Michigan. It's only more difficult if those teams show they're good opponents over the entire year, and find themselves ranked before playing the Buckeyes...which might not happen.
No question cincy deserves top 25 but COME ON MAN! Who have they beat in the top 25 at the end of the year? If they play USF they will get stomped.
You get your wish in 2 week.
Kind of strange that you moved up all the bye teams at least 2 and up to 4 spots each...I feel like that logic needs reconsidering.
They advance more or less by default by being undefeated. I actually like Kansas as far as being in the top 2 in their division and fortunately we get Nebraska and Missouri going head to head this Thursday to decide who belongs in the top 20 amongst them.
You don't watch much football do ya?
I'm betting that by the end of the year three Big East teams are in the top 25. USF will be ranked next week for its game against Cincy, with Cincy winning a close one. Pitt will move into the top 25 (and should already have been if they hadn't choked against NC State last week). The Big East gets a lot of undeserved criticism I think. The league has won something like 4 of its last 5 BCS games and has a pretty good OOC record over the last few years. The biggest thing is that no one team has been consistently good (except for maybe WVU) over the last few years, like it is in the other major conferences. I agree that OSU is better than Cincy, but its closer than a lot of people think. It would be a really entertaining game between the two with Cincy's high octane offense and OSU's lethal D. Pryor up against Cincy's young, yet talented D wouldn't be bad either.
i agree the ap is a joke
One word really needed when you talk about polls. PLAYOFFS!
unfortunately our reputation is being judged by our performances since the 'O6 title game and not by what happened last saturday. say what you want about the big 10 or the best damn team in the land, but the big east in its entirety makes me puke. i mean, did anyone see dave wandstedt(?) and pitt crew looking utterly bored and confused against "the ville"? Or WVU squeaking by perennial Big 12 bottom feeder Colorado? South Florida needed 20 pts. in the 3rd quarter to lay wood to the attorneys and doctors of Syracuse. And Cincy looked great pounding the bottom out of the U... of Miami... OHIO!!! Haha. I would love a rematch with USC but if this garbage about Cincy being the best team in Ohio, well, lets just say I wouldn't mind settling that misunderstanding in a bowl game either. O-H !!!!!!
Maybe the AP voters just read the ESPN headlines
"Ohio State Pours It On Late In 33-14 Win"
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/...
But the Overview goes :
It was over when... Ohio State scored -- or nearly scored -- on every possession in the first half. The Buckeyes missed two FGs, but scored on their other four tries.
Morons.
haha! a very valid and humorous point, poe. or as walter said, "eight year olds, dude, eight year olds."
Wow. We were up 12 points, with twelve minutes to play, and we ran a sneak from the one yard line for our only touchdown of the second half. Were we supposed to down it? Ridiculous.
Not sure why Florida is #1 - of all the undefeated teams, they have played probably the weakest schedule (Sagarin has their schedule ranked at 107). If had a blogpoll vote, I'd hammer them for that. Wait until Florida defeats a real team before appointing them as top dog. Of course, seeing how weak the SEC is in general this year, that may not happen.
Note that Pryor is doing far better than Tebow at a similar stage of his career in terms of actually winning games as opposed to piling up meaningless stats. Remember that in Tebow's sophomore season Florida had already lost 2 games by the beginning of October under his leadership (and would go on to lose two more, include a bowl game to the Michigan team that lost to App State - as I recall, Tebow threw 4 straight incompletions to end that game against a Michigan secondary that had been shredded by Todd Boeckmann a few weeks earlier).
Top 12 look just about right. I'd slide Oregon up to #13, they are a top 15 team for sure... operning the season with a loss on the blue turf is hardly a bad loss.
One qualm. 6 Big XII teams in the Top 20? I'm not sure Mizzou or Nebraska are worthy of being that high, and the Big XII overall is weak this year. I'd throw South Carolina and Ole Miss up there instead.
"Tyrod Taylor threw for a career-best 327 yards going 17/22 throwing the ball, truly a superhuman feat for a QB who normally completes under half of his pass attempts."
I've noticed lately that Taylor has shown excellent form on his passes, at least the ones they show on the highlights. If he keeps this up, VaTech could be a beast the rest of the season, despite their Iowa-like tendency to play down to lesser opponents.
I guess I have no problem with LSU so high since we will see this weekend on them. But Georgia falling completely out of the poll? And Cal I'm on the fence about still, so I'll take your side on them
Really the most schematically similar team in the country to Ohio State has to be Virginia Tech. Is it any wonder they win their league virtually every year (and their lunatic fan base continually calls for their offensive coordinator's head)?