I believe this will be the first time I don't have Utah moving up in my BlogPoll. Crazy, I know, but that's just how it goes when you have a bye week.
Rank | Team | Delta |
---|---|---|
1 | Texas | -- |
2 | Penn State | 1 |
3 | Alabama | 1 |
4 | Texas Tech | 4 |
5 | Florida | 4 |
6 | Oklahoma | -- |
7 | Utah | -- |
8 | Georgia | 3 |
9 | TCU | 4 |
10 | Southern Cal | 6 |
11 | Oklahoma State | 6 |
12 | Boise State | 2 |
13 | Ball State | 3 |
14 | Missouri | 4 |
15 | Florida State | 6 |
16 | Tulsa | 1 |
17 | LSU | 5 |
18 | Ohio State | 8 |
19 | Michigan State | 7 |
20 | North Carolina | 6 |
21 | Virginia | 5 |
22 | Maryland | 4 |
23 | California | 3 |
24 | Minnesota | 2 |
25 | Brigham Young | -- |
Dropped Out: Pittsburgh (#15), South Florida (#19), Georgia Tech (#20), Northwestern (#22), Boston College (#23), Kansas (#24).
Let's start with what didn't change: Texas at number one. The Longhorns got a solid victory over Oklahoma State Saturday and that was enough to keep them at the top. I did, though, flip Alabama and Penn State. I do think Alabama is a good team, but Penn State's victory over Ohio State was a solid defensive effort and I think they deserve the 2nd spot, even though it's unlikely they get into the national championship without either a Texas or Alabama loss.
Texas Tech moved from 8th to 4th after destroying Kansas (what the hell has happened the Jayhawks?) and Florida moved up 4 spots as well. The Gators rolled against Kentucky and just may be the best team in the SEC. Both the Sooners and Utes (as I mentioned) stayed pat, though the Sooners had a basketball-like victory over Kansas State. Rounding out the top ten are Georgia, TCU and USC. USC dropped six spots after a narrow victory over Arizona and reader input from last week which suggested maybe I was ranking the Trojans too high.
I didn't want to drop Oklahoma State behind Utah, since they gave Texas a game, but I always find it hard ranking one-loss teams fresh off a loss in the top-ten. They do have a chance to climb back up there and may, but for now, I think a drop like that is warranted.
Outside of that, Boise State and Ball State closed in on the top-ten, while LSU and Ohio State dropped after their losses. The Buckeyes played Penn State tough, but it was still a loss -- their second of the season. The Tigers, well they were abused against Georgia.
After this, I started drawing blanks. It was difficult ranking any team from 20th to 25th, however, I think I managed well. Virginia, even after their lackluster start, cracked the poll and shot up to 21st. Minnesota, who appears to be putting together a decent season, is in for the first time as well. BYU stayed at 25th after barely getting by UNLV.
So what are your thoughts? Close? Not close at all? Let me know!