BlogPoll Ballot: Week 8

By Corey Carpenter on October 25, 2009 at 7:00p

Not much action in this week's poll, only 2 Top 25 teams lost. We felt that Texas had the most impressive win over the weekend and have played consistently on both sides of the ball for a few weeks now. They will get another chance to prove themselves this weekend, when they face off against Oklahoma State.

Florida and Alabama should keep the other top spots until they meet for the SEC Championship game, unless LSU can take down the Tide in a few weeks. Behind them is where it really gets interesting. What's going to happen when Cincinnati, Boise State and TCU run the table? Will this be the year where the system really becomes broken? We know around these parts, if OSU isn't going to be playing for all the marbles, we would rather see controversy and move towards a playoff.

1 Had the most impressive win amongst the top 3, taking down Missouri 41-7. Colt McCoy threw 3 TD passes in the first half, as Texas jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead. McCoy ended the night 26/31 for 269 yards. Next up: at #13 Okalhoma State, 8:00. 2
2 The Gators were up 3 points when Mississippi St. decided to try a fake punt inside their own 20 yard line with 12 minutes left in the 4th. Moments later Florida scored their first of 2 TD's in a 43 second span, en route to their 29-19 road win. Tebow threw 2 pick sixes and had just 127 through the air. Next up: Georgia, 3:30. --
3 Struggled against Monte Kiffin's defense, getting a blocked FG as time expired to pull out the 12-10 win at home. The Vols outgained the Tide, 341-256, but penalties (8/68) and another blocked FG attempt prevented the monumental upset. Next up: #9 LSU, 11/07. 2
4 The Trojans gave their fans another thriller, holding on for a 42-36 win over Oregon State. The Beavers rolled up 482 yards of offense, but Matt Barkley accounted for 2 TD's and Allen Bradford had 15/147 and 2 scores. Next up: at #10 Oregon, 8:00. --
5 The Bearcats didn't skip a beat without Tony Pike, as his replacement Zach Collaros was 15/17 for 253 yards and 3 TD's in Cincy's 41-10 beating of Louisville. Cincinnati racked up 468 yards of total offense, while holding L'Ville to 275 and 2 TO's. Next up: at Syracuse, Noon. --
6 Perhaps the best finish of the day, as Iowa scored as time expired to win in East Lansing, 15-12. Iowa drove 70 yards in the last 1:37, scoring on 4th and goal from the 7 yard line, to keep their perfect record in tact. Next up: Indiana, Noon. --
7 Raced out ot a 44-0 lead on Hawaii, before settling for a 54-9 win . Kellen Moore threw for 223 yards and 5 TD's, while the Boise defense created 6 TO's. Next up: San Jose State, 3:00. --
8 Went to Provo and put a 38-7 smack down on BYU, holding the Cougars to 188 yards passing, while passing for 285 themselves. Andy Dalton threw for 241 of those yards and 3 TD's, including a 75-yarder to Antoine Hicks to break the game wide open. Next up: UNLV, 4:00. --
9 Disposed of Auburn at home, 31-10, holding the Tigers to just 81 yards passing and 193 total yards. Jordan Jefferson connected on 21 of 31 for 242 yards and 2 scores, while also adding one on the ground. Next up: Tulane, 8:00. 1
10 Offense continues to roll, this week gaining 259 on the ground and another 157 through the air in their 43-19 win over Washington. Freshman LaMichael James carried the rock 15 times for 154 yards and 2 TD's, while QB Jeremiah Masoli added 54 and 2 scores on 11 carries. Next up: #4 USC, 8:00. 1
11 PSU made it look easy against scUM, creating 4 TO's and racking up 396 total yards. Daryll Clark threw 4 TD passes, 3 to Graham Zug and a 60-yarder to Andrew Quarless, while Royster had 100 yards on 20 totes. Next up: at Northwestern, 4:30. 1
12 The Jackets carried the ball 71 times for 362 yards and held the ball for over 42 minutes in their 34-9 win. Jonathan Dwyer had 25/125, Anthony Allen added 11/103 and Josh Nesbitt 21/82. Next up: at Vanderbilt, 7:30. 1
13 Outgained Baylor 445-284 in their 34-7 win on the road. Zac Robinson went 23-27 for 250 yards and 3 TD's and the Cowboys rushing attack gained 195 yards on 43 carries. Next up: #1 Texas, 8:00. 1
14 Bye Week. Next up: North Carolina, 7:30 on Thursday. 2
15 The Panthers took down USF, 41-14, amassing 486 total yards, including 212 on the ground. Bill Stull completed 18/25 for 245 yards and 2 TD's, while freshman Dion Lewis toted it 23 times for 111 yards and 2 TD's, giving him 1,029 yards and 11 TD's on the season. Next up: Syracuse, 11/07. 2
16 Imporved to 6-1 with a 23-17 OT win over Air Force. Eddie Wide scored the game winner, after carrying it 17 times for 121 yards and 2 scores. David Reed chipped in with 7 receptions for 149 yards and a 90-yard TD. Next up: Wyoming, 8:00. 2
17 Noel Devine scampered 56 yards for the game winner with just over 2 minutes left, to lead WVU to a 28-24 win over a very emotional Uconn squad. Devine ended the day with 178 yards on 23 carries and Tavon Austin returned the opening kick 98 yards for a quick score. Next up: at South Florida, 8:00 on Friday. 2
18 Lost a 40-37 heartbreaker in OT to a fiesty Clemson team in a game that saw 12 lead changes and 2 ties. CJ Spiller stole the show with 310 all-purpose yards, including a 90-yard KO return and a 56-yard reception, while Jacory Harris threw 3 picks for Miami. Next up: at Wake Forest, 3:30. 9
19 Scored 31 straight points to open the 2nd half, cruising to a 38-7 win. TP used his feet to rush for 104 yards and a score, while the defense created 4 TO's. Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin each scored on nice runs to give a glimps of the RB future. Next up: New Mexico State, Noon. 1
20 Used 3 SMU TO's to help win 38-15 at home. Charles Sims ran 15 times for 105 yards and 2 TD's, while Bryce Beall added 12 carries for 63 yards and a score. Next up: Southern Miss., 1:00. 2
21 Beat UCLA 27-13, despite turning it over 5 times. The Wildcats outgained the Bruins 456-211 and held them to 2-15 on 3rd downs. The upcoming schedule is brutal, taking on Cal, Oregon, ASU and USC to close out the season. Next up: Washington State, 3:30. 3
22 Squeezed out a 14-10 home win over Vandy, despite gaining 431 total yards. Stephen Garcia was 22/33 for 312 yards and both scores, while Kenny Miles toted it 18 times for 102 yards. Next up: at Tennessee, 7:45. --
23 Dismantled Kansas 35-13 on the road, forcing Todd Reesing into his worse game of the season, going 22/42 for 224 and 3 picks. Ryan Broyles caught 11 passes for 121 yards and Chris Brown scored 2 on the ground. Next up: Kansas State, 7:00. --
24 Moved to 7-1, with a 24-10 road win at BGSU. CMU's only defeat was at Arizona in the season opener and Dan LeFevour continues to be one of the best in the nation, rushing for 128 yards on 22 carries and completing 16/22 for 147 yards and 2 scores. Next up: at Boston College, 3:30. --
25 Jimmy Clausen hit Golden Tate for a 36-yard score with 8 minutes left to lead the Irish to a 20-16 win over BC. Tate caught 11 for 128 on the day and also added an 11-yard score, while Clausen was 26/39 for 246 yards. Next up: Washington State, 7:30. --

Dropped Out: Brigham Young (#15), Kansas (#21), Texas Tech (#23), Nebraska (#25). (Last Week's Ballot)