Blogpoll Ballot: Week 5

By Chris Lauderback on September 29, 2008 at 7:00a

With nine ranked teams losing, including four of our previous top eight, this week's initial ballot has a new look to it. Alabama was most impressive and with that offensive line and the game JPW played, it wasn't hard to slot them at #2.

As usual, I'm sure we'll be up for the Coulter/Krugman award for homerism with OSU in the 10th spot but I honestly think that's where this team belongs right now. It's a different team with Pryor and Beanie on the field.

With all the upsets, I'm sure you'll all have different opinions so please voice them in the comments. I'm conflicted on where Florida truly fits and what about Texas Tech? Should they really be that high just because they haven't lost?

The final ballot isn't due until Wednesday.

1 Oklahoma avoided the upset bug behind Sam Bradford's 411 yards passing and 4 TD's in a 35-10 thrashing of TCU. Shockingly, the Sooners rushed for only 25 yards on 36 carries. Still, the win is enough to put them atop our initial ballot. 1
2 I admit, I didn't think 'Bama was good enough to roll into Athens and put a thumping on UGA but props to JPW (13/16, 205, 1TD) and Bedouin Saban for having his team ready to play. 'Bama has yet to trail in a game this season. 9
3 Bye week. Next up: @ Nebraska 9pm ESPN 3
4 The Tigers beat Miss State 34-24 behind Charles Scott's 4th straight 100 yard game (27/141, 2 TD). Not an overly impressive performance considering the competition and 2 turnovers but on this weekend it was all about survive and advance. 1
5 Colt McCoy is quietly rewriting Texas record books after 5 TD (3pass, 2 rush) in 52-10 stomping of Arkansas. McCoy's 75 career TDs moved him one behind Ricky Chong, er Williams and the Longhorn D held the Razorbacks to 11 yards rushing. Texas' brutal October schedule has them traveling to Colorado next week before a trip to Norman to face the Sooners on 10/11 then they host Mizzou on 10/18. 2
6 Human Highlight Derrick Williams ran for a score, caught a TD pass and ran a kickoff back to paydirt in PSU's 38-24 win over Zooker's Illini. PSU ran for 241 yards and committed only one penalty dropping Illinois t o 3-22 against ranked teams since '02. 4
7 Bye week. Next up: @ Kansas State 2
8 Keeping with past trends, Surfer Pete blew another one against an inferior foe as the Beavers shocked USC 27-21 in Corvallis. Freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 186 yards and 2 TDs showing the Buckeyes how to beat the Trojans. Oye. 7
9 Georgia sported the rarely seen black jerseys but found out "there's more to life than being really, really ridiculously good looking" as the Crimson Tide opened up a 31-0 first half can of whoop-ass en route to a 41-30 win betwixt the hedges. Bulldogs have now lost 5 of last 6 against top 10 teams including all 3 at home. 5
10 The Beanie/Pryor combo (22 for 203, 2 TD) provided a much needed reality check to Gopher Fan in a 34-21 win in the 'Shoe. The score doesn't do the game justice as OSU was firmly in control midway through the 3rd qtr (27-6) before giving snaps to everyone wearing a uniform. 2
11 Bye week. Next up: @ Utah State 2
12 South Florida racked up 520 yards of offense behind 259 yards passing and 68 rushing from Bulls QB Matt Grothe to hand NC State a 41-10 defeat. The teams combined for 21 penalties. 2
13 A blocked PAT on a late 4th qtr score, an INT and fumble from St. Tebow, 1/11 on 3rd downs and a stuffed 4th and 1 in the final minute combined to give Ole Miss a 31-30 upset win in the Swamp. Florida moved to 0-5 when trailing at any point in the second half with Tebow under center. See ya, Heisman hopes. 10
14 Auburn squeaked past hapless Tennessee 14-12 thanks to a defensive effort that yielded just 67 yards passing, 191 total, and 9 first downs. The Tigers' sad offense better find some production, especially from the QB spot or else the D is eventually going to tire out. 1
15 Bye week. Next up: @ Iowa State 3
16 The Utes scored 30 straight points to beat Weber State 37-21. Next up: @ giant killer Oregon State. 5
17 Bye week. Next up: host Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, 8pm ESPN 5
18 Bulldog QB Tom Brandstater passed for 236 and 3 scores and RB Ryan Mathews went for 21/166 helping Fresno State to a 36-31 win at UCLA. Brandstater has 7 TD tosses in last 2 games. 5
19 Bye week. Next up: host Auburn 6pm Saturday. 6
20 The Badgers blew a 19-0 halftime lead allowing Michigan to rally back from the largest deficit ever at home in a 27-25 loss in the 500th game in the Big Hole in the Ground. Wonder if they got caught looking ahead to OSU? 12
21 The Cowboys moved to 4-0 racking up 612 yards of offense in a 55-24 beating of Troy. Kendall Hunter (24/169) and Keith Toston (17/114) gave OSU a pair of 100 yard rushers and QB Zac Robinson threw for 254 and 3 TDs. NR
22 The Hokies picked up their 4th straight win with a 35-30 victory at Nebraska. The Tech D held the Huskers to 55 yards rushing and 2/11 on third down. NR
23 The banged up Ducks got 3 rushing TD's each from LaGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Johnson as Oregon blitzed a bad Washington State squad 63-14 in Pullman. Turnovers: Cougars 4, Ducks 0. NR
24 Uconn moved to 5-0 with a 26-21 win at Louisville. The Huskies closed the game on a 16-0 run and Donald Brown rushed for 190 yards on 33 carries (1 TD). NR
25 Sparty improved to 4-1 beating Indiana 42-29 behind 198 yards rushing from Javon Ringer. Brian Hoyer added 261 yards passing and 2 TD in addition to another on the ground. NR

DROPPED OUT: Wake Forest (#16), Illinois (#17), Nebraska (#19), Clemson (#20), TCU (#24).