My Week 7 AP ballot
It’s a sad day for the Big Ten when nine of my top 12 teams are from the Big 12 and SEC. I’ve got five Big 12 teams in the top 10, starting with Texas at No. 1.
New to my ballot this week is Minnesota, coming in at No. 21. The Gophers are 6-1 and have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way. It’s scary to say it, but Tim Brewster could conceivably finish 11-1, 10-2 or 9-3 a year after going 1-11. Imagine how he’ll be able to sell that to recruits, along with a new, on-campus stadium up in Minneapolis.
Here’s my ballot:
1. Texas (6-0, 2-0 Big 12): The Longhorns made a strong statement outlasting Oklahoma in a classic Red River Shootout that really was a shootout. Next up: Saturday vs. Missouri
2. Penn State (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten):The Nittany Lions handed Wisconsin its worst loss since the pre-Barry Alvarez era. PSU is looking like a team that can run the table. Next up: Saturday vs. Michigan
3. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC): The Crimson Tide were idle this week but gained ground in the polls with Oklahoma, Missouri and LSU all losing. Next up: Saturday vs. Mississippi
4. Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 Big 12): Couldn’t drop the Sooners below Florida or USC. Texas is just a little bit better than Ole Miss and Oregon State. Next up: Saturday vs. Kansas
5. Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC):Tim Tebow and the Gators really got things clicking, routing LSU 51-21. I just wonder if they can play that well consistently. Next up: Oct. 25 vs. Kentucky
6. USC (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10): The Trojans further proved Arizona State was overrated in the preseason. With so many teams losing, USC is right back in the title race. Next up: Saturday at Washington State
7. Oklahoma State (6-0, 2-0 Big 12):Mike Gundy is a man! He’s 40! The Cowboys coach also has a pretty good football team this year. Impressive win at Missouri. Next up: Saturday vs. Baylor
8. BYU (6-0, 2-0 Mountain West): The Cougars had a rather ordinary win over New Mexico. You wonder how high they can rise in the polls playing the Mountain West. Next up: Thursday at TCU
9. Texas Tech (6-0, 2-0 Big 12): The Raiders better win this weekend. Games at Kansas, vs. Texas, vs. Oklahoma State and at Oklahoma are on deck. Next up: Saturday at Texas A&M
10. Missouri (5-1, 1-1 Big 12): Tough loss for the Tigers Saturday against Oklahoma State. Chase Daniel was a little out of whack. A chance for redemption Saturday. Next up: Saturday at Texas
11. LSU (4-1, 2-1 SEC): The defending champs were dominated by Florida. This is a good team, though, that’s going to make noise in the SEC. Next up: Saturday at South Carolina
12. Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC): Georgia’s ho-hum win at Tennessee might say more about how bad the Vols are this season. Phil Fulmer’s days have got to be numbered. Next up: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt
13. Ohio State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten): The Buckeyes got by lowly Purdue without scoring and offensive touchdown. There is a gap between Penn State and the Big Ten’s No. 2. Next up: Saturday at Michigan State
14. Boise State (5-0, 1-0 WAC): The Broncos went on the road and won at Southern Miss. They very quietly are setting themselves up to crash the BCS. Next up: Friday vs. Hawaii
15. Utah (7-0, 3-0 Mountain West): With BYU, Utah and TCU, the Mountain West is looking pretty tough. The Utes might just be the best of the bunch. Next up: Saturday vs. Colorado State
16. Michigan State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten): Impressive win for the Spartans at Northwestern. They’re not flashy, but they get it done. The big test comes this weekend. Next up: Saturday vs. Ohio State
17. North Carolina (5-1, 1-1 ACC):The ’Heels got past an improving Notre Dame team and, right now, look like the class of the ACC. Next up: Saturday at Virginia
18. Pittsburgh (4-1, 2-0 Big East): Pitt was on a bye week after taking control of the Big East race with a win at South Florida last week. Navy will be a test. Next up: Saturday at Navy
19. South Florida (5-1, 0-1 Big East): After a bye week this past weekend, the Bulls get a virtual bye when the Orange come to town. Next up: Saturday vs. Syracuse
20. Ball State (7-0, 3-0 MAC): The Cardinals might be the most likely non-BCS team to go unbeaten. Western Michigan looks like the only MAC team that can contend. Next up: Oct. 25 vs. Eastern Michigan
21. Minnesota (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten): Check out the Gophers’ remaining schedule: At Purdue, vs. Northwestern, vs. Michigan, at Wisconsin, vs. Iowa. Do I smell roses? Next up: Oct. 25 at Purdue
22. Kansas (5-1, 2-0 Big 12): Have the Jayhawks been getting lucky, or are they that resilient. We’re going to find out this weekend. Next up: Saturday at Oklahoma
23. Vanderbilt (5-1, 3-1 SEC): The Commodores had to fall off their brains at some point. Doing it against Mississippi State hurt. The Bulldogs are 2-4. Next up: Saturday at Georgia
24. Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0 ACC):Someone has got to win the ACC, right? Why not the Hokies, who were on a bye this past week. Next up: Saturday at Boston College
25. Tulsa (6-0, 3-0 C-USA): Tulsa leads the nation in total offense (597.0) and scoring (53.2). Quarterback David Johnson is the FBS’ most efficient passer. Next up: Saturday vs. UTEP
Dropped out: No. 16 Illinois, No. 20 Auburn, No. 23 Northwestern, No. 24 Wisconsin
