Another historic week, another unusual ballot dilemma. This time, the question late Saturday night was, what to do when both No. 1 (LSU) and No. 2 (Cal) lose on the same day for the first time in 11 years?
If I were to follow the traditional, "lazy man's" poll methodology, I'd simply move up No. 3 Ohio State to No. 1. That was my initial instinct, but something about it just felt so ... uncomfortable. The Buckeyes, whose 7-0 start includes no wins over any current top-25 team, would basically be "earning" my No. 1 vote by default. I couldn't do it.
I briefly contemplated keeping LSU at No. 1. The Tigers' triple-overtime loss to top 20 foe Kentucky didn't really change my opinion of them as the most complete team in the country (more accurately, there's nobody else out there that inspires more confidence), and they still have more quality wins on their resume (Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida) than anyone else. I'm still fully expecting to see the Tigers in the national championship game.
But I checked my AP voting guidelines, and they specifically tell you to, "base your vote on performance, not reputation or speculation." LSU's performance against Kentucky was, in a word, subpar, not to mention keeping the same team No. 1 even after a loss would be setting a dangerous precedent.
Those same guidelines, however, also tell voters they shouldn't "hesitate to make significant changes in your ballot from week to week." In other words, if you think somebody further down the list deserves a crack at No. 1 ... go for it.
Looking purely at results, the most accomplished team outside of LSU has been South Florida, which routed UCF -- the same team that took Texas to the wire earlier this season -- 64-12 last Saturday. The Bulls are not only undefeated, but they've beaten two of my current top 13 teams (West Virginia and Auburn). They've done it, in fact, against the nation's seventh-most difficult schedule, according to CollegeBCS.com.
Ohio State's, by contrast, is ranked 58th. Fellow undefeated Boston College: 61st.
If you take all that into account, moving USF to No. 1 becomes a no-brainer (although only 10 of my fellow AP voters agreed). Do I believe the Bulls will finish the season No. 1? Not necessarily. I'm not even sure they'll be No. 1 after Thursday night's trip to Rutgers.
But again, my job is not to predict the future but to evaluate the present. USF has earned the No. 1 spot for now -- just as LSU has earned a reprieve from poll purgatory based on its overall resume. I dropped the Tigers to ... No. 2.
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The defense carried UCF yet again last week, holding the NCAA's leading rusher, UCF's Kevin Smith, to 55 yards on 18 carries, but it was also a huge day for Bulls QB Matt Grothe. The sophomore accounted for a season-high 312 yards (including 100 rushing) and four touchdowns.
Last game: Beat UCF, 64-12.
Next game: Thursday at Rutgers.
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The past three Auburn-LSU games have been decided by scores of 10-9, 20-17 and 7-3 and have become known for their incredibly physical nature. With both teams once again fielding top 10 defenses, and Auburn coming off a 9-7 win over Arkansas, expect more of the same this year.
Last game: Lost to Kentucky, 43-37 (3 OT).
Next game: Saturday vs. Auburn.
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The Buckeyes may have played a light schedule to date, but that changes in a hurry starting Saturday. All five of Ohio State's remaining opponents (Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan) currently hold 5-2 records and should boost its schedule rating tremendously.
Last game: Beat Kent State, 48-3.
Next game: Saturday vs. Michigan State.
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Oregon's machine-like offense racked up 551 yards against Washington State last week -- about average for these Ducks (532.5 yards per game) -- but injuries are becoming a concern. No. 2 receiver Cameron Colvin and No. 2 RB Jeremiah Johnson are both out for the season.
Last game: Beat Washington State, 53-7.
Next game: Saturday at Washington.
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Despite the final score, coach Bob Stoops wasn't entirely thrilled with Saturday's win, in which two fumbles led to Missouri touchdowns. "There is no excuse for doing that," said Stoops. "We need to do a better job coaching and [the players] need to do a better job listening and executing."
Last game: Beat Missouri, 41-31.
Next game: Saturday at Iowa State.
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It's scary how good Steve Spurrier's defense is becoming -- scary because seven starters (including standout DE Eric Norwood) are just freshmen or sophomores. A week after shutting down Andre Woodson, the Gamecocks sacked UNC's T.J. Yates four times and picked him twice.
Last game: Beat North Carolina, 21-15.
Next game: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt.
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Obviously QB Andre Woodson and WR Steve Johnson stole the show in Saturday's dramatic win over top-ranked LSU, but the real surprise was the Wildcats' pass-rush. DE Ventrell Jackson led the charge as Kentucky notched three sacks, an interception and held the Tigers to just 142 passing yards.
Last game: Beat LSU, 43-37 (3 OT).
Next game: Saturday vs. Florida.
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The Eagles didn't exactly look like a BCS top-three squad in their ugly win over 1-6 Notre Dame, amassing 15 penalties, failing to score on four drives inside the Irish 25 and giving up an interception return for a touchdown. They'll need a much better performance in Blacksburg.
Last game: Beat Notre Dame, 27-14.
Next game: Oct. 25 at Virginia Tech.
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In their continued quest to silence the critics who scoff at their schedule, the Mountaineers could gain some respect with a dominating performance against the SEC's Mississippi State. The Bulldogs (4-3) are more competitive this year, upsetting Auburn and playing Tennessee tough.
Last game: Beat Syracuse, 55-14.
Next game: Saturday vs. Mississippi State.
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It's becoming harder and harder to dismiss Dennis Erickson's Sun Devils. Despite losing standout RB Ryan Torain, ASU still ran for 296 yards against Washington. Even more impressive was its defense -- led by possible All-America safety Troy Nolan -- which held the Huskies to 288 yards.
Last game: Beat Washington, 44-20.
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Cal.
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