Ed Note: This post snuck out live a little early, so if you think the comments are creating a tear in the fabric of space/time, that's why.
Swagger was back, if just for one fleeting Saturday evening as Miami got their season (and BCS bowl aspirations) back on track defeating Oklahoma in the marquee game of the weekend. USC was also particularly impressive, completely dismantling a once respected Cal squad and putting the nail in the coffin of Jahvid Best's Heisman candidacy.
With our two top teams on bye weeks, we saw Alabama bounce back from early adversity in the Bluegrass State, LSU bring their A-defensive game but continue to look completely lost offensively, and Matt Barkley look comfortably under center for longer than just 2 drives. LSU could upset Florida next weekend, but our gut instinct is that either way this Top 5 stay may not be long for this world.
With Houston getting absolutely embarrassed by mediocre CUSA team UTEP, slots 10-15 are totally in flux. We'd love to hear your opinion on who you think belongs where in the space below.
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| 1 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at LSU, 8:00 p.m. | -- |
| 2 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Colorado, 7:15 p.m. | -- |
| 3 |  |
'Bama broke this one open after getting off to a slow start (only led 7-6 after 1, where as Florida led @ UK 31-0 after 1). Mark Ingram showed Alabama has a legit two thronged rushing attack by running for 140 yards on 22 carries. QB Greg McElroy's now thrown 8 TDs with 0 INTs in his last 4 games. Next up: at Mississippi 3:30 p.m. | -- |
| 4 |  |
Absolutely dominated once heralded Cal 30-3 on the road in Berkeley. Joe McKnight ran for 119 yards and 2 TDs, and Matt Barkley had almost 200 yards passing in the first half alone (finished with 283 for the day). The Trojan D held former Heisman candidate Jahvid Best to just 47 yards on 14 attempts. All-American safety Taylor Mays even tacked on a touchdown saving interception in his first game back from an injury suffered in the OSU game. Next Up: at Notre Dame in 2 weeks. |  1 |
| 5 |  |
LSU needed a suspect excessive celebration penalty coupled with a complete defensive breakdown by the Georgia Bulldogs to escape Athens with a 20-13 victory. Impressively held Georgia to just 45 yards, but continues to look uninspiring offensively. LSU will have their opportunity to silence the doubters with #1 Florida coming to Baton Rouge next Saturday evening. Next up: Florida, 8:00 p.m. |  1 |
| 6 |  |
Cruised to victory in a game not even as close the score indicated 33-14. The offensive line absolutely had their way with the Hoosiers producing the Buckeyes first 100 yard rusher in 2009. Defense continues to give opponents fits limiting Indiana to just 228 total yards. next up: Wisconsin 3:30 p.m. | 1 |
| 7 |  |
Boise State was on cruise control early and often Saturday, but wrapped up a sloppy 34-16 victory on FCS UC Davis. The Broncos showed their usual offensive prowess putting up 386 yards of total offense, though shot themselves in the foot repeatedly amassing 6 penalties totaling 91 yards. Boise continues to live off momentum from their opening week dominance over suddenly relevant Oregon, though a week from Wednesday's out of conference matchup with Tulsa could prove telling. Next up: at Tulsa 10/14 | 1 |
| 8 |  |
Virginia Tech legged out a shaky performance over perennial ACC doormat Duke 34-26. Tyrod Taylor threw for a career-best 327 yards going 17/22 throwing the ball, truly a superhuman feat for a QB who normally completes under half of his pass attempts. Tech also added 150 on the ground while holding Duke to just 38 yards rushing. Next up: Boston College 12:00 p.m. | 1 |
| 9 |  |
Despite some difficulties getting their usually dangerous passing attack fully operational, Cincinnati routed Miami University 37-13. Running back Jacob Ramsey chipped in 103 yards rushing on 12 attempts. While Cincinnati's time of possession would otherwise be troubling (just 19:09 with the rock), the Bearcats found a way to score both rapidly and efficiently as they stay unbeaten. Next up: after a bye, at South Florida 10/15 | 1 |
| 10 |  |
TCU shook off a slow start out of the gates to take down SMU 39-14. TCU brought a rather balanced attack against the Mustangs accruing 229 yards on the ground and 189 yards passing. Conversely, the Horned Frogs D held the Mustangs to a mind blowing -29 yards rushing. The Horned Frogs being Mountain West conference play next weekend. Next up: at Air Force, 7:30 p.m. | 2 |
| 11 |  |
The Hawkeyes continued to play down to their opposition, beating Sun Belt representative Arkansas State just 24-21. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for a career high 296 yards but also accounted for 2 INTs, one returned 75 yards for 6 points for the Red Wolves. Iowa will have to rediscover the edge that lead them a statement victory on the road in Nittany Lion to have a shot at Pasadena. Next up: Michigan 8:05 p.m. | 2 |
| 12 |  |
The Canes rediscovered their winning ways upsetting Oklahoma 21-20 behind 150 yards rushing by Javarris James. Miami's offensive line returned to their impressive form from the Florida State game a week after getting blown off the line by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The Miami defense was particularly impressive, stopping a 95-yard sooner drive and forcing OU to settle for 3. Next up: Florida A&M. | 4 |
| 13 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Nebraska 9:00 p.m., Thursday 10/8 | 2 |
| 14 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: Iowa State 12:30 p.m. | 4 |
| 15 |  |
Credit where credit's due: Auburn traveled into Neyland and left town with a 26-22 victory over Tennessee, but not before their defense lowered Jonathan Crompton's ineffectiveness from his usual terrible to just merely bad. The Tigers continue to reap the benefits of a paper thin schedule, though their offense continues to put up yards in bunches. Gus Malzahn's offensive put up 235 yards through the air and a nearly symmetrical 224 on the ground against the Vols. Next up: at Arkansas, TBA | 1 |
| 16 |  |
The Nittany Lions bounced back from their home loss to Iowa by cruising past Illinois 35-17. Running backs Stephon Green and Evan Royster each topped the century mark while Daryl Clark looked far more comfortable than he did a week prior against the Hawkeye's ferocious D. Next up: Eastern Illinois, 12:30 p.m. | 1 |
| 17 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m. | 4 |
| 18 |  |
Lost a tough contest at Miami 20-21. On the plus, defending Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford should return as the Sooners take on Robert Grifflin-less Baylor. Next up: Baylor, 3:30 p.m. | 10 |
| 19 |  |
Bye Week. Next up: at Missouri, 9:00 p.m., Thursday 10/8 | 4 |
| 20 |  |
Oregon continued to look like the team many thought they'd be going into the season demoralizing Washington State 52-6. By comparison USC only defeated Wazzou 27-6. The Ducks saw good Jeremiah Massoli show up for the second straight week, going 14/18 for 116 and a TD through the air. Next up: at UCLA, 3:30 p.m. | 2 |
| 21 |  |
The undefeated Wisconsin Badgers continued their march towards the Horseshoe by defeating Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium 31-28. Running back John Clay put up a ridiculous 184 yards and 3 TDs while the Badgers D held the Minnesota ground game to just 57 yards. Scott Tolzien was an effective game manager, though he'll have to be more than that for the Badgers to have a shot in Columbus next weekend. Next up: at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. | -- |
| 22 |  |
BYU took out their frustrations from their new show performance against Florida State two weeks prior on have not in-state rival Utah State to the count of 35-17. Harvey Unga ran for 118 yards and a touchdown, though BYU was held below 300 yards passing for the second straight game after throwing for over 300 in each of his first 3 contests. Next up: at UNLV, 10:00 p.m. | -- |
| 23 |  |
The Irish had their 4th straight down-to-the-last snap contest escaping Washington 37-30 in OT. Golden Tate played out of his mind with 9 grabs for 244 yards and a score. The Irish's relentless blitzing attack limited Washington quarterback Jack Locker to just 22/40 passing. Next up: USC, after a bye week. | -- |
| 24 |  |
GT continued their unrelenting ground assault beating Mississippi State 42-31. Josh Nesbitt joined Tyrod Taylor with career days through the air going 11/14 266 yards, a score, and most importantly no interceptions. Tech failed to have a one hundred yard rusher, though Jonathan Dwyer did account for 83 and a TD. Tech's defense as per usual couldn't stop anyone, but as long as the offense stays in sync as it's been in every game aside from the Miami contest, they should have no problem winning shootouts all season long. Next up: at Florida St, 8:00 p.m. | -- |
| 25 |  |
USF broke former Duke point guard Greg Paulus' brain in amassing 5 INTs, including a pick 6 and defeating Paulus' Orange 34-20. USF had a 12/20 for 208 yards and 2 TD performance from new starter B.J. Daniels and had complete control of this game from early in the 3rd quarter on. The Bulls have a bye work to continue to get better before taking on fellow uneaten Cincy in 2 weeks. Next up: Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. | -- |
Dropped Out: Houston (#11), Georgia (#19), Michigan (#20), Mississippi (#24), California (#25). (Last Week's Ballot)
