With four of my Top 10 teams off last week, my Associated Press ballot does not have many changes from Week 3.
Don’t worry, there should be multiple changes next week with several Top 25 matchups: Alabama at Georgia, Oregon at Penn State and LSU at Ole Miss.
New to my ballot this week are Indiana and TCU. Falling out of my Top 25 were Auburn and Illinois. The rankings below are my tentative ballot with a few late Saturday night games still to be determined. This will be updated once all games have gone final.
My Top 25 ballot after Week 4:
The Buckeyes were off last week and open Big Ten play Saturday at Washington. The Huskies look for a victory at home against the defending national champions for a second consecutive season. Last year, UW beat Michigan.
The Bulldogs were off last week and host Alabama on Saturday. Georgia has lost nine of the past 10 meetings to Alabama. The Bulldogs haven’t defeated the Crimson Tide in Athens since 2003.
3. LSU (4-0)
The Tigers routed Southeastern Louisiana 56-10. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 273 yards and three TDs in a little more than one half. LSU visits Ole Miss on Saturday.
The Hurricanes defeated Florida 26-7 behind Miami’s dominating defense. UM limited Florida to less than 150 yards and seven first downs. Running back Mark Fletcher paced the Hurricanes’ rushing attack with 116 yards. Miami is off next week before opening ACC play at Florida State on Oct. 4.
The Ducks captured the Civil War, topping Oregon State 41-7. Dante Moore threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, Moore has 11 touchdowns and only one interception. The Ducks topped 30 points for a national-best 29th time in their last 32 games. Oregon visits Penn State Saturday in a massive matchup of Top 10-ranked Big Ten teams.
Florida State routed Kent State 66-10. In less than one half, quarterback Thomas Castallanos threw for 205 yards (10-for-13) and added 54 yards rushing. Florida State begins ACC play at Virginia on Friday.
The Aggies were off last week. Texas A&M hosts Auburn Saturday in the Aggies’ SEC opener.
In the Sooners’ 24-17 win against Auburn, Oklahoma’s defense got reunited with former Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold, sacking Jackson a school-record 10 times. Oklahoma’s John Mateer threw for 271 yards, 127 to wide receiver Isaiah Sategna on 11 receptions. Mateer also accounted for the game-winning 9-yard touchdown run. OU is off next week.
Penn State was off last week. The Nittany Lion hosts Oregon on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Big Ten title game, won by Oregon 45-37.
Texas blanked Sam Houston 55-0. Quarterback Arch Manning (remember him?) completed 18 of 21 for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Texas rolled up more than 600 yards of offense in the blowout. The Longhorns are off next week.
11. Ole Miss (4-0)
Result: Win 45-10 vs. Tulane
12. Texas Tech (4-0)
Result: Win 34-10 at Utah
13. Indiana (4-0)
Result: Win 63-10 vs. Illinois
14. Tennessee (3-1)
Result: Win 56-24 vs. UAB
15. Notre Dame (1-2)
Result: Win 56-30 vs. Purdue
16. Vanderbilt (4-0)
Result: Win 70-21 vs. Georgia State
17. Georgia Tech (4-0)
Result: Win 45-24 vs. Temple
18. Iowa State (4-0)
Result: Off last week
19. USC (4-0)
Result: Pending final vs. Michigan State ***
20. Michigan (3-1)
Result: Win 30-27 at Nebraska
21. Mississippi State (4-0)
Result: Win 38-10 vs. Northern Illinois
22. Missouri (4-0)
Result: Win 29-20 vs. South Carolina
23. Alabama (2-1)
Result: Off last week
24. TCU (3-0)
Result: Win 35-24 vs. SMU
25. Utah (3-1)
Result: Lost 34-10 to Texas Tech
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