FanHouse national college football writer Brett McMurphy shares his weekly Associated Press Top 25 ballot along with his next 15 best teams for FanHouse's Fab 40.
LINCOLN, Neb. – The top two teams on my AP ballot remain the same as last week: Boise State No. 1, Oregon No. 2.
But the rest of my ballot has been shaken and stirred thanks to upset losses by Ohio State, Nebraska, South Carolina, Nevada and Florida (did I leave anyone out)?
Following Boise State and Oregon, I have Oklahoma third, followed by TCU, Utah, Auburn, Michigan State and LSU. My top eight teams are all undefeated.
The only other unbeatens are Oklahoma State and Missouri and I ranked the Cowboys and Tigers Nos. 14 and 15, respectively.
The biggest climbers on my ballot this week: Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Mississippi State.
Here is my AP ballot for this week.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
- 1. Boise State (1)
The Broncos blanked San Jose State 48-0, increasing the nation's longest winning streak to 20 games. Quarterback Kellen Moore was nearly perfect, completing 14 of 16 for 231 yards. Boise State's defense limited San Jose State to 90 yards and six first downs. The Broncos (6-0) continue to lead the nation in total defense. Next: vs. Louisiana Tech, Oct. 26 - 2. Oregon (2)
The Ducks (6-0) have won seven of their last nine meetings against UCLA. Oregon didn't play last week, but moved up in the polls thanks to Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin. The second half of the season won't be easy for Oregon. After UCLA, the Ducks have road games remaining at USC, Cal and Oregon State and home games against Washington and Arizona. Next: vs. UCLA, Thursday - 3. Oklahoma (4)
DeMarco Murray set the Sooners' career record for touchdowns in Oklahoma's 52-0 dismantling of Iowa State. Murray rushed for 112 yards, including two touchdowns, to move past former Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens as OU's all-time touchdown leader with 58. Quarterback Landry Jones was flawless, completing 30 of 34 for 334 yards and three touchdowns for the Sooners (6-0). Ryan Broyles broke his own school record with 15 receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown. Next: at Missouri, Saturday - 4. TCU (5)
The Horned Frogs didn't get their third consecutive shutout, but it was close as the Horned Frogs routed BYU 31-3. Mitch Payne's 27-yard field goal in the third quarter provided the only points the Cougars could muster against the Horned Frogs (7-0). BYU also was limited to 147 yards. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton had his typical performance – 24 of 36 for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Next: vs. Air Force, Saturday - 5. Utah (7)
The Utes were held below 50 points for the first time in four games, but they still breezed past Wyoming 30-6. Running back Matt Asiata rushed for 109 yards, while Jordan Wynn threw for 230 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Utah (6-0) outgained the Cowboys 431 to 183. Next: vs. Colorado State, Saturday - 6. Auburn (8)
The Tigers scored 28 consecutive points in the final 12 minutes to pull away for a wild 65-43 victory over Arkansas. Quarterback Cam Newton threw for 140 yards and rushed for 188 yards on 25 carries. Newton, the SEC's leading rusher, had his fourth 100-yard game this season. The Tigers (7-0) and Razorbacks combined for 108 points, the most in a non-overtime game in SEC history. Next: vs. LSU, Saturday - 7. Michigan State (12)
The Spartans used a big second half to pull away from Illinois 26-6. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 201 yards, but the difference was the Spartans' defense. Michigan State forced four Illinois turnovers and held the Illini to 255 yards. Mark Dantonio, who suffered a mild heart attack last month, coached his second game from the press box. Michigan State is off to its first 7-0 start since 1966. Next: at Northwestern, Saturday - 8. LSU (11)
The Tigers sleep-walked past McNeese State 32-10 as quarterbacks Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson combined for only 103 yards passing. LSU (7-0) only led the Cowboys 16-10 at the half, drawing boos from the LSU faithful, before pulling away in the final two quarters. Stevan Ridley and Michael Ford each rushed for two touchdowns with Ford finishing with 86 yards on 10 carries. Next: at Auburn, Saturday - 9. Iowa (15)
The Hawkeyes picked up their first victory at Michigan since 2002, downing the Wolverines 38-28. The Hawkeyes (5-1) had to hold on down the stretch as Michigan scored 21 fourth-quarter points. Adam Robinson (143 yards) exceeded 100 yards rushing for the third time this season and quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Next: vs. Wisconsin, Saturday - 10. Alabama (10)
The Crimson Tide bounced back from their first loss with a 23-10 victory over Ole Miss. It marked the first time under Nick Saban that the Crimson Tide (6-1) avoided losing consecutive games after suffering their first loss. Greg McElroy threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama's rushing game struggled for the second consecutive game as Mark Ingram had only 60 yards on 15 carries and Trent Richardson had 45 yards on 11 carries. Next: at Tennessee, Saturday - 11. Wisconsin (24)
The Badgers posted their first victory over the nation's No. 1 AP team in 29 years, whipping Ohio State 31-18. Running back John Clay rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and James White added 75 yards and a touchdown. The Badgers (6-1) also opened the game with David Gilreath's 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Next: at Iowa, Saturday - 12. Arizona (14)
The Wildcats overcame the loss of quarterback Nick Foles to defeat Washington State 24-7. Foles suffered a sprained knee and will be out at least two weeks, coach Mike Stooops said. Foles' injury came a week after he threw for a career-high 440 yards. Without Foles, the Wildcats (5-1) still had more than enough to get past the Cougars. Backup quarterback Matt Scott threw for 139 yards with one interception. Next: vs. Washington, Saturday - 13. Ohio State (3)
The Buckeyes fell behind big early at Wisconsin and never recovered, losing 31-18. The Buckeyes (6-1) trailed 21-0 before rallying within 21-18 early in the fourth quarter before the Badgers pulled away. A week after throwing for a career-high 334 yards, quarterback Terrelle Pryor threw for only 156 yards with one interception. Next: vs. Purdue, Saturday - 14. Oklahoma State (20)
The Cowboys won at Texas Tech for the first time in 66 years, upending the Red Raiders 34-17. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon had another monster game, with 10 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown. It was his school-record sixth consecutive game with at least 100 yards receiving. Quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 356 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Cowboys (6-0). Running back Kendall Hunter had 130 yards rushing and a touchdown. Next: vs. Nebraska, Saturday - 15. Missouri (22)
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers thumped Texas A&M 30-9. Wide receiver Wes Kemp had 10 receptions for 89 yards, including touchdowns of five and 10 yards. T.J. Moe also added six receptions for 110 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers improved to 6-0 for only the third time in the past 50 years. Next: vs. Oklahoma, Saturday - 16. Stanford (16)
The Cardinal and quarterback Andrew Luck should have a cakewalk this week against Washington State. Stanford has won the last two meetings by a combined margin of 97-13. In their last meeting at Stanford (5-1), the Cardinal won 58-0. Next: vs. Washington State, Saturday - 17. Nebraska (6)
The Cornhuskers lost again to Texas, this time 20-13 in Lincoln. The Longhorns held Nebraska's offense to 202 yards and without a touchdown – the first time NU's offense hasn't scored a touchdown at home since 1968. Taylor "T-Magic" Martinez was anything but magic. He was held to 21 yards rushing and 63 yards passing before he was replaced in the second half. Nebraska (5-1) managed only a 95-yard punt return and two field goals. Next: at Oklahoma State, Saturday - 18. Florida State (19)
The Seminoles hung on for a sluggish 24-19 victory over Boston College. Quarterback Christian Ponder threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions. Boston College's points came on an interception return and four field goals as FSU's defense held the Eagles without a touchdown and had four sacks. Florida State (6-1) has won five consecutive games for the first time since 2005. It also registered four sacks. Next: at N.C. State, Oct. 28 - 19. South Carolina (9)
The Gamecocks blew an 18-point halftime lead in losing at Kentucky 31-28. The Gamecocks (4-2) looked liked they would have an opportunity to force overtime, but quarterback Stephen Garcia's pass into the end zone with four seconds remaining was intercepted by UK's Anthony Mosley. Garcia finished with 382 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Next: at Vanderbilt, Saturday - 20. West Virginia (23)
Led by their defense, the Mountaineers shackled South Florida 20-6. The Bulls managed only 202 yards of offense. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yard pass to Brad Starks. For the season Starks only has five catches, but four have gone for touchdowns. West Virginia (5-1) has won 12 consecutive home games, the second-longest streak in school history. Next: vs. Syracuse, Saturday - 21. Mississippi State (30)
The Bulldogs handed Florida a third consecutive loss, upsetting the Gators 10-7. The win was especially gratifying for Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, a former offensive coordinator with the Gators. Quarterback Chris Relf only threw for 33 yards, but added 82 yards rushing for the Bulldogs (5-2). Vick Ballard pitched in 98 yards rushing. Next: vs. UAB, Saturday - 22. Arkansas (13)
The Razorbacks were on the wrong side of the highest scoring non-overtime game in SEC history, losing at Auburn 65-43. Quarterback Ryan Mallett left in the first half with an injury, but Tyler Wilson was superb in relief. Wilson threw for 332 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions for the Razorbacks (4-2). Wide receiver Greg Childs had nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Next: vs. Ole Miss, Saturday - 23. Texas (31)
The Longhorns went into Lincoln, Neb., and crushed the Cornhuskers' hopes for revenge. Texas downed Nebraska 20-13 in the team's final meeting before Nebraska leaves the Big 12 for the Big Ten. The Longhorns (4-2) held Nebraska to 202 yards offense. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert rushed for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns, outdueling Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez. Next: vs. Iowa State, Saturday - 24. USC (36)
The Trojans bounced back from consecutive last-second losses by seal-clubbing Cal 48-14. Quarterback Matt Barkley threw for 352 yards and a school-record tying five touchdowns as USC coasted to a 42-0 halftime lead. The Trojans (5-2) rolled up 602 yards offense. And don't look now, but they will now enjoy a week off before hosting the nation's new No. 1 team. Next: vs. Oregon, Oct. 30 - 25. Nevada (17)
The Wolf Pack's hopes for an undefeated season ended in a 27-21 loss at Hawaii. Nevada trailed by 13 in the fourth quarter but scored with 3:06 remaining and then recovered the onsides kick. However, Colin Kaepernick threw his second interception of the game, ending Nevada's comeback hopes. "I single-handedly lost this football game tonight," said Kaepernick, who committed four turnovers, including fumbling at the goal-line that cost Nevada (6-1) a touchdown. Next: vs. Utah State, Oct. 30
27. Virginia Tech (29). Next: vs. Duke, Saturday
28. Air Force (18). Next: at TCU, Saturday
29. Central Florida (32). Next: vs. Rice, Wednesday
30. North Carolina (34). Next: at Miami, Saturday
31. Georgia Tech (37). Next: at Clemson, Saturday
32. Northern Illinois (39). Next: vs. Central Michigan, Saturday
33. Michigan (25). Next: at Penn State, Oct. 30
34. Cincinnati (NR). Next: vs. South Florida, Friday
35. San Diego State (NR). Next: at New Mexico, Saturday
36. Hawaii (NR). Next: at Utah State, Saturday
37. Oregon State (21). Next: vs. California, Oct. 30
38. Kansas State (NR). Next: at Baylor, Saturday
39. Baylor (NR). Next: vs. Kansas State, Saturday
40. Purdue (NR). Next: at Ohio State, Saturday
Brett McMurphy is a national college football writer for FanHouse. Contact him at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com or please follow at Twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The coaches poll did it again... HOW does WISC beat OSU and are ranked BEHIND them... they did it last week with SC and ALA... makes zero sense!
These folks shouldn't be able to vote..... period.
You're retarded. McNeese State hung with LSU and you move them up? Boise St. beats a horrible team and you think they are awesome? Seriously?
Beats me how he still picks Boise State . Their signature win (Oregon State) lost again yesterday , lowering their SOS even more . Then their hopes of another quality win (an undefeated Nevada) failed to happen as they were beaten by 2 loss Hawaii . How weak does Boise's schedule have to be before this clown realizes that THEY DONT PLAY ANYBODY .
The last time Boise St lost, Notre Dame was relevant.
Simmer down now, this was the first BCS poll. Each week strength of schedules will change, a teams opponents will win or lose and Boise will lose ground due SOS. But if they keep on winning, and the unbeatens keep falling what happens in mid december. Do you take Undefeated Boise or do you take the 1 loss big ten champ, or the 1 or 2 loss SEC champ, or the 1 or 2 loss pack 12 champ, or a 1 loss big 12 champ?
still a lot of football to be played and fortunes to be changed.
Where would a 12-0 Michigan St team play in?
Anyone who will play.. Beat Oregon the last two years and won, played TCY in Fiesta and won, oh ya played OU in Fiesta and won.. Virginia Tech first game of the year and again won..
Joe
How in the world would whoever made this put Utah ahead of Auburn or LSU, are you kidding me?
My top Ten are
Boise State,
TCU,
Utah,
Oregon,
Oklahoma,
Michigan State,
Iowa,
Auburn,
Alabama,
Missouri.
Boise State has a way of winning, so does Utah. to wit: Boise beat Ok. TCU, Oregon twice, Virginia Tech (who will run the table)and lost to J.Madison because they were overwhelmed from losing to Boise State who they thought were chumps.
Utah destroyed Alabama.
Boise State and Utah went undefeated (Boise twice in the last 4 years) imagine that. I say put Boise State and Utah up against the so-called but failing "Big Boys" and let's see what happens.
You must be a Boise state fan. In truth, they play a weak schedule. That being said, they are a very good team. I don't think they stack up as number 1. They are more like number 6-9.
Last years results are just that. Oregon if you use a pure math model has the highest rated team. In reality, they are most likely the number one team in the nation, and not by a little bit. If you have not watched this team play, you haven't seen the best offense in the nation. It is unstoppable by midway through the second quarter. The play the best second half football of any team in the nation, period. The thier defense is high risk until they get to the twenty, where Alioti excels at turning teams back. Ducks have shut out several teams in the second half this year.
They also play on of the very toughest schedules in the nation, unlike Boise State.
Top Ten
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. Michigan State
7. Wisconsin
8. LSU
9. Stanford
10.Boise State
Choke-lahoma will drop two