Josh Furlong’s AP Top 25: BYU falls out of top 10 after loss as teams battle for position
SALT LAKE CITY — The perfect season has come to an end.
BYU left the first game of the season to a Kansas team whose record doesn’t fully reflect the talent on the field. Either way, it’s a notch in the loss column for the Cougars for the first time this season.
BYU appears to be treading water since a close game against Oklahoma State, but they continue to find ways to win late. But on Saturday night, the odds changed when Kansas took advantage of a dog kick that hit the back of a BYU player’s helmet and recovered the football inside the Cougars’ 10-yard line.
But BYU wasn’t alone this week, as a handful of other top 25 teams dropped a game, so let’s dive into my ballot.
Granted, at this point in the season there are usually a handful of teams pulling away from the rest, which makes ranking teams at the top quite easy; however, this season almost feels like crap.
No position feels safe.
The following is the ballot I submitted to the Associated Press that will be counted in the consensus rankings released Sunday afternoon.
1. Oregon
The Ducks remain undefeated and earn the No. 1 spot, but there is still some doubt as to whether Oregon can keep this going until the end. Wisconsin gave Oregon a bit of a scare, and a fortuitous interception at the end secured a victory, but the Ducks are as vulnerable as anyone. Right now I still like the Ducks the best of anyone, but I’m more hesitant than I have been lately.
2. Ohio State
Ohio State isn’t always great at wins, but a 31-7 win over Northwestern is fine, especially with a 21-point second quarter ending the game early. The Buckeyes have their warts like everyone else, but the only team standing in their way is the only team they lost to this season.
3.Texas
At one moment Texas seems like one of the best teams in the country, and at other times it just seems like a good team. But the defense continues to back the team and was instrumental in securing a fumble to prevent Arkansas’ chance for a comeback. The games haven’t been favorable for Arkansas this season, but a win for Texas was never a guarantee.
4. Penn State
Penn State did exactly what it needed to do against a bad Purdue team. Let’s not overstate this choice.
5.Indiana
Indiana has been one of my favorite stories of the season, but the resume prevents me from fully embracing them compared to the teams above. Yes, the Hoosiers are undefeated – and great, by the way – but I haven’t seen enough to overtake the top four teams.
6. Georgia
Hot and cold. Hot and cold. Hot and cold.
Which Georgia team shows up every week? The Bulldogs looked like one of the best teams in a tough game against Tennessee, but failed to register a pulse against Ole Miss a week earlier. Doubt Georgia at your own risk, but it’s not entirely a guarantee either.
7. Alabama
Welcome to FCS Week for Alabama – next one! But why is Alabama below the team they beat? Georgia has better wins, including against three currently ranked teams. But each of these spots can be interchangeable.
8. Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s defense forced five turnovers in a win over Virginia. The offense scored 21 points in the second quarter and finished against a mid-ranked team. This is a team that is heading in the right direction at a crucial time of year. But an undefeated army awaits in a neutral environment.
9. Miami
Not a bad time for a bye week. Although the Hurricanes have played with a bit of fire this season, they still have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country with Cam Ward moving the ball around.
10. Ole ma’am
After a victory over Georgia, the rebels had a well-timed bye week. The win was great, but Ole Miss was inconsistent at times. Ole Miss has the talent on both sides of the ball to make any team worthwhile, but maintaining that high level hasn’t always been easy.
Failure: Kansas State, Louisville, LSU
Check-in: Illinois, Tulane, UNLV
Under consideration (alphabetical): Memphis, Syracuse
If you can’t see my full ballot below, click here.