Editor's note: J.P. Giglio is one of 60 AP voters.
• JP Top 25 archive
• AP, USA Today polls
So much for that predicted repeat of the 2008 season.
The Mountain West is once again keeping the college football powers honest. Brigham Young, the new "it" MWC darling, makes the biggest jump, 14 places, to No. 3 after its 14-13 upset of Oklahoma.
Alabama (4) and Boise State (9) also moved into the top 10.
Miami (19) saved what was left of the ACC's bacon with an impressive 38-34 over Florida State, which suddenly could be the spoiler in BYU's big season, and not vice versa.
Nebraska (24) is the only other newcomer, knocking out N.C. State, which like the ACC, got off to a brutal start.
1. Texas
Record: 1-0
Last week: 1 (beat Louisiana-Monroe, 59-20)
This week: @ Wyoming
Business picks up next week with a visit from Texas Tech. Ya figure the Horns owe them one?
2. Florida
Record: 1-0
Last week: 2 (beat Charleston Southern, 62-3)
This week: Troy
Troy almost beat LSU last year. Will the Trojans give the Gators a game? Probably not but that early, local television time slot is where Ole Miss caught the Gators last year.
3. BYU
Record: 1-0
Last week: 17 (beat Oklahoma, 14-13)
This week: @ Tulane
NFL stadiums have been good to the Cougs so far. Tulane's not nearly the challenge Oklahoma was.
4. Alabama
Record: 1-0
Last week: 11 (beat Virginia Tech, 34-24)
This week: FIU
The rebuilt offense had no problem in its debut scoring 34 points and amassing 498 yards against the ACC's best defense.
5. USC
Record: 1-0
Last week: 4 (beat San Jose State 56-3)
This week: @ Ohio State
Change of scenery and a tougher challenge for rookie QB Matt Barkley with this week's trip to the Shoe.
6. Oklahoma State
Record: 1-0
Last week: 9 (beat Georgia, 24-10)
This week: Houston
Either Georgia's offense isn't that good, or the Okies' defense has drastically improved. We'll know more after Saturday's pending shootout with Houston and former Oklahoma OC Kevin Sumlin.
7. Ole Miss
Record: 1-0
Last week: 5 (beat Memphis, 45-14)
This week: SE Louisiana
Sluggish start for Ole Miss, despite the lopsided score. We won't know much about the Rebels until Sept. 24, when they travel to South Carolina.
8. Cal
Record: 1-0
Last week: 7 (beat Maryland, 52-13)
This week: Eastern Washington
Fast start for the Bears and Jahvid Best, who ran for 137 yards on just 10 carries, in a whipping of Maryland.
9. Boise State
Record: 1-0
Last week: 13 (beat Oregon, 19-8)
This week: Miami (Ohio)
The Broncs' defense is beginning to catch up to its offense. They held Oregon to 31 rushing yards.
10. LSU
Record: 1-0
Last week: 10 (beat Washington, 31-23)
This week: Vanderbilt
Little sluggish at Washington but three TD passes from Jordan Jefferson is a good sign.
11. Oklahoma
Record: 0-1
Last week: 3 (lost to BYU, 14-13)
This week: Idaho State
Quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Greshman would have been first-round picks had they left after last season.
Instead they came back to win a national title. Bradford's out for at least two weeks with a shoulder injury and Greshman's done for the season. Even if you're a Texas fan, you hate to see that happen to two such promising players.
12. Virginia Tech
Record: 0-1
Last week: 12 (lost to Alabama, 34-24)
This week: Marshall
Ryan Williams proved to be a decent facsimile of Darren Evans at running back but the passing game (91 yards) and play-calling are crippling the Hokies.
13. Ohio State
Record: 1-0
Last week: 12 (beat Navy 31-27)
This week: USC
Other than the name-brand value, why is Ohio State in the top 10? Give me one good reason OSU is in front of BYU in the proper AP poll?
The Bucks struggled with Navy, no shame there, but it's the way they struggled. Their name can't save them this week at USC.
14. Penn State
Record: 1-0
Last week: 14 (beat Akron, 31-7)
This week: Syracuse
What used to be a great Northeast tradition is now just another patsy on Penn State's schedule.
15. Georgia Tech
Record: 1-0
Last week: 16 (beat Jacksonville State, 37-17)
This week: Clemson, Thursday
Who do you think gets the coaching edge between Paul Johnson and Dabo Swinney?
16. TCU
Record: 0-0
Last week: 18 (Did not play)
This week: @ Virginia
Honestly would not be surprised if Virginia gives TCU a game, despite last week's showing by the Cavaliers. TCU can't be happy that this is their opener and UVa had the benefit of playing its first game, albeit very poorly.
17. Oregon State
Record: 1-0
Last week: 19 (beat Portland State, 34-7)
This week: @ UNLV
Without QB Lyle Moevao, this could be the first of a season of surprises by UNLV. RB Jacquizz Rodgers will have something to say about that.
18. Utah
Record: 1-0
Last week: 20 (beat Utah State, 35-17)
This week: San Jose State
The nation's longest winning streak heads towards an easy 16 games. A date at Oregon on Sept. 19 awaits.
19. Miami
Record: 1-0
Last week: Not ranked (beat Florida State, 38-34)
This week: bye
Patrick Nix and Randy Shannon were the only two people on the planet who saw Jacory Harris play quarterback last season and thought Robert Marve was the starter. Harris put the U back on the map with Monday's shootout with FSU.
20. ECU
Record: 1-0
Last week: 21 (beat Appalachia State, 29-24)
This week: @ West Virginia
I'm the only voter with ECU in the top 25; will have company in two more weeks.
21. Georgia
Record: 0-1
Last week: 6 (lost to Oklahoma State, 24-10)
This week: South Carolina
Guess they'll miss Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno after all.
22. Cincinnati
Record: 1-0
Last week: 25 (beat Rutgers, 47-15)
This week: SE Missouri State
One of 11 voters to have the Bearcats ranked in the preseason. The Cats took the first step towards repeating as Big East champions.
23. Pitt
Record: 1-0
Last week: 22 (beat Youngstown State, 38-3)
This week: @ Buffalo
The Panthers go to Buffalo and then host Navy before coming to Raleigh on Sept. 26.
24. Nebraska
Record: 1-0
Last week: Not ranked (beat Florida Atlantic, 49-3)
This week: Arkansas State
One more warmup for the Huskers before heading to Blacksburg on Sept. 19.
25. Oregon
Record: 0-1
Last week: 15 (lost to Boise State, 19-8)
This week: Purdue
We'll see rookie Chip Kelly's coaching chops after a worst-case scenario opener against Boise.
Out: Iowa (23), N.C. State (24)
Next five: Notre Dame, UNC, Baylor, Southern Miss, FSU
Comments
ECU #20????
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 10:38 — pjtarheel"'m the only voter with ECU in the top 25; will have company in two more weeks."
Absolutely, once you have joined everyone else by removing ECU from your top 25. Ridiculous.
I find it funny and odd..
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 21:33 — UNC1998no local voters have UNC in their top 25, but there they are....19 with a bullet.
One Does
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 10:48 — SurferJeff Gravley, WRAL has UNC at 21. He has seen them play and really likes the defense.
Don't ever expect them to be on J.P.'s list.
A little generous.
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:38 — JPDOhioBYU at #3 is a stretch. They barely beat an Oklahoma team that lost its Heisman Trophy candidate (fairly early, I think). So Top 20 for BYU sure. Not #3 though.
Ohio State at #13 is also generous. They should have dropped more than one spot after that performance. It is not that Navy is bad, because they're not. But they manhandled the Buckeyes at the line of scrimmage,even though they are undersized.
If you think last year's pasting of OSU by USC was bad, wait until this year. Terrell Pryor better have "911 Now" on his black patches this game.
ECU is extremely generous
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 15:13 — chrismg1ECU is extremely generous considering they almost lost to an App state team without Armani Edwards. If that was UNC there would be some snarky comment about how he knew they were overhyped.
Agree
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 13:01 — SurferTotally agree re: BYU. Didn't see the OSU game, but makes sense.
I think I figured out J.P.'s ECU deal, he must be under contract to have one North Carolina team in his top 25 and State lost.
pure and simple
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 13:00 — gvillegatrbias for OSU in the polls. not to mention "they" still want this saturday night to be the marquee. the game doesn't look so shiny if OSU is ranked #21 going into the game.
also,
did you guys hear Terrelle (correct spelling believe it or not) Pryor's explanation to having Mika Vick wriiten on his eye paint?
check it out ... "everyones kills people"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XB_syaRU3o
Everyone kills people?
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 19:07 — JPDOhioI had no idea that Terrelle grew up on the East Side of Youngstown.
That was a very unusual way to say that Vick paid his dues to society and should be able to get on with his life. Terrelle has unbelievable physical gifts, but he also has serious maturity issues, as this whole episode shows.
With no leadership skills and a suspect supporting cast this year, Terrelle will struggle. I would not be surprised to see OSU drop out of the top 25 for at least part of the year. If they don't, it will be based on program reputation, not performance.
One thing I do know about Saturday night, if you are planning on watching OSU/USC, feel free to make plans to do something else after 9 P.M. The game will be over by then.
UGa/SC
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:52 — izzykareemIf Garcia can make some adjustments, and not look so Harrison Beck-ish, they might upset UGa. Or Georgia could open a can of you know what after losing to OKST. I guess we'll find out more about SEC Speed
Shocked
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:08 — SurferI just can't believe that N.C. State is not #25: (actually top 30)
- They only lost by 4 to a powerfull, speedy S.C. team.
- They played great in the second half.
- Save for a dropped pass or two they would have won.
- This is J.P.'s poll.
Seriously, how is FSU not in? With Miami at #19. Had FSU's last pass been 6 inches higher, would their positions be reversed?
Your sarcasm?
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 10:58 — wolfpackcaniacI hope your sarcasm follows into your second comment as well. (So hard to portray sarcasm on the internet!) If not, you argue the same points for fsu and ncsu (if... if... if...) but it seems you really do think fsu should be in and not state.
Maybe Navy should be in Top 10 too? (If...if...if... - sarcasm)
Not Really
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 11:13 — SurferNo, I just felt like I should say something constructive and the FSU/Miami situation just jumped out.
Regarding FSU and NCSU, I can see your point. Except for FSU it is "if", for NCSU it is "if, if, if, if, if".
Actually, not much supprises me about J.P.'s poll, except that NCSU is not in the top 30.
Agree
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 11:46 — wolfpackcaniacAgree on about FSU and NCSU. State was lucky to even be that close against SC. Haha, also was expecting a little extra love for NCSU in the poll.
I was kinda surprised by J.P.'s poll that there were few surprises. He has kinda made a name for himself as trying to predict the unpredictable and not following the crowd. Seems business as usual on this poll however (except ECU).
It also seems like J.P. is waning off his fight against the preseason poll bias - he still talks about "moving up/down". Up or down from what? - the practice squads rankings?
business as usual
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:54 — gvillegatr(except ECU) and UNC.
Right
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:19 — SurferHe may be right regarding ECU, I just don't know. But his bias re: NCSU and UNC really stands out and is kind of funny to me.
Not that I think or understand why some people have UNC at 19 or 20. Maybe there is a lot of in depth research regarding talent and depth at every position.
I mean who cares about a poll anyway unless you are in the top 5?
cue the delusional state fans
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:07 — pjtarheel"I think State will be 3-1 and on your "Next Five" list in a few weeks."
Lol, how is that
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 21:19 — mad_maxLol, how is that delusional? C'mon PJ...go troll somewhere else. Everyone here already knows how dumb you are.
It's delusional because....
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 11:06 — pjtarheel.... even assuming a win over Pitt (which at this point is a pretty bold assumption), I don't see state college cracking the "Top 30".
Although, we are talking about J.P.G.'s Top 30, so perhaps it's not so delusional after all.....
"Everyone here already knows how dumb you are." - max
What are you, 8 years old??????
You just discredited your
Wed, 09/16/2009 - 18:14 — mad_maxYou just discredited your own argument. C'mon, really, post elsewhere with your nonsense. This is JP's poll. I said nothing about an AP or Coach's poll.
Delusional
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 11:41 — SurferYou are right PJ, this is J.P.'s top 30 and NCSU will always be in the wings, at least.
What is really hard to believe is that Murray St. isn't in there somewhere or S.C. for that matter, since they beat a "top 25" team last week.
So if NCSU beats his #23 Pitt in a few weeks, look for State to be back in.
Cue the angry Heels fans
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 01:28 — mad_maxI agree with you about the UVA/TCU game. For some reason, Virginia keeps losing these early games against much weaker opponents, but they always bounce back and surprise us all. Question is, will they bounce back already, or will it take a couple more weeks?
Interesting placement of Oregon. A very weak perfomance last weekend, and now they are without their starting RB. I don't expect to see them in anybody's top 25 for too much longer.
ECU's gonna have their hands full the next couple weeks. But if they keep winning, then they definitely deserve a spot in the top 25.
Big jump for BYU. But I guess somebody's gotta give 'em some love. Good for you spreading the wealth around, JP.
I think State will be 3-1 and on your "Next Five" list in a few weeks.