Blogpoll Ballot: Week 3

By Chris Lauderback on September 15, 2008 at 7:00a

This week's initial ballot shows OSU dropped to #12 and we flip-flopped Florida and Georgia after the Dawgs less than impressive win at South Carolina. If not for two 'Cock turnovers in the 4th quarter, it could've been upset city.

We gave Penn State some love this week thanks to another impressive offensive display. I know they haven't played anyone but they're doing what you're supposed to do to inferior competition - blow those teams out.

South Florida (7 spots) and BYU (7 spots) also saw big jumps thanks to big wins over Kansas and UCLA, respectively.

So whaddaya think? Where'd we miss the mark?

1 Lost in the realization that OSU is not as advertised is the fact USC is. The depth of talent at virtually every position is incredible. Hats off to Pete Carroll. --
2 Sooners kept pace destroying Washington 55-14 behind Sam Bradford's 5 TDs on 18/21 passing with a rushing TD taboot. OU penalties: 11/110. --
3 DNP. Next up: @ Tennessee 1
4 The Bulldogs escaped South Carolina with a 14-7 win thanks to two Gamecock turnovers in the 4th Qtr. Most painful was Mike Davis' fumble into the endzone from the 2 yard line resulting in a touchback with 8 minutes left. UGA penalties: 11/112. UGA defense: 18 rush yards allowed. 1
5 Chase Daniel became school's all time leading passer and padded Heisman race stats with 405 yards through the air and 4 TDs in 69-17 rout of Nevada. Mizzou scored on first 10 possessions. 1
6 Tigers still lack a legit passing attack but RB Charles Scott impressed again with TD runs of 39 and 44 yards as LSU ran past North Texas 41-3. LSU D held Mean Green to 11 first downs but lost LB Darry Beckwith to injury. Next up: @ Auburn. 2
7 Game with Arkansas postponed 'til 9/27. 3
8 The Badgers parlayed 26 carries and 112 yards from PJ Hill and a 2-0 turnover edge into a 13-10 road win over Fresno State. 3
9 Harrell (5 TD passing) to Crabtree (3 TD Rec) connection strikes again as Texas Tech crushes SMU 43-7. Mike Leach was unimpressed, however, citing dropped balls and bad throws leading to a comment that he would make changes if necessary. Red Raider D: 5 INTs. --
10 Penn State continued their impressive non-conference run with a 55-13 blowout at hapless Syracuse. Clark and Devlin threw for 2 TDs, Royster ran for 101 yards and Norwood had 5 catches for 113 yards and 2 scores to help Spread HD roll. Greg Robinson is now 7-31 at 'Cuse. PSU D: Allowed just 8 first downs and 2/17 3rd down conversions. 5
11 Tigers escape with 3-2 win over Mississippi State in Starkville. Auburn D held Bulldogs to 116 total yards and 0/14 on 3rd down. Auburn: 12 penalties, 3 turnovers. Next up: LSU 4
12 Nothing left to say. It's all been said. 7
13 John Parker Wilson became 'Bama's all time total offense leader in 41-7 win over Western Kentucky. Tide D held WKU to 9 first downs, 42 yards rushing and 3/12 on 3rd down. 4
14 Oregon trailed 20-3 in 2nd Qtr before going on a 29-6 run to post a 32-26 win in double OT. Duck RB LaGarrette Blount: 12/132, 2 TDs. 2
15 27 point 2nd half capped with 43 FG at the gun gave USF a 37-34 home win over the Jayhawks. Matt Grothe led USF with 338 yards passing and 2 TDs. Nice follow up to a less than impressive win over UCF last weekend. 7
16 East Carolina struggled to defend their huge splash into the rankings escaping with a 28-24 win over Tulane thanks to a 24 yard TD pass with 1:41 left in the game. Despite 4 TO's, Pirates are 3-0 for first time since '99. 4
17 Max Hall threw for 271 yards and school record tying 7 TD's in a 59-0 spanking of UCLA. The Cougar offense converted 13/17 third downs and held the ball for nearly 38 minutes. 7
18 DNP. Next up: @ Florida State. --
19 Daniel Dufrene ran for career high 126 yards and caught a TD pass as Illinois avoided the upset with an unimpressive 20-17 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. Juice was a pedestrian 13/25 with 147 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT through the air and rushed for just 35 yards on 11 carries. Illini have bye week to regroup before opening Big Ten play at Penn State. 1
20 Mangino drops to 4-9 against ranked teams at Kansas with 37-34 loss to South Florida. Jayhawks gave up 27 2nd half points. Reesing threw for 373, 3 TD and 1 INT in a game that saw 900 yards of total offense. 7
21 The Huskers racked up 553 total yards including 330 on the ground in 38-7 win over New Mexico State. Pelini's squad has bye week before three game stretch against Va Tech, Mizzou and @ Texas Tech. 2
22 The Utes moved to 3-0 with a 58-10 thumping of Utah State. Defense held Utah State to 8 first downs and 116 total yards (27 rushing). NR
23 Bulldogs miss 3 FGs in 13-10 home loss to Wisconsin dropping them to 1-5 all time against the Big Ten. 4
24 Clemson got past NC State 27-9 behind Cullen Harper's 20/28, 262 yard, 2 TD, 1 INT performance. NR
25 Bowden's boys put the wood to FCS foe Chattanooga in a 46-7 decision. The 'Noles host Wake next week so we'll see if they're really on the right track or not. NR

DROPPED OUT: Arizona State (#14), California (#21), UCLA (#25).