First posted at Inside The Shoe. BlogPoll ballots are averaged out from the writers that sent in their picks.
The last college football weekend in September was a one that left some strong impressions as to who are the dark horses in the national title race. Some big winners were LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Clemson and more. Teams continue to make statements, and we're nearing the point of no return for teams that are undefeated. Some new teams enter this week, as well as previous teams that dropped out. Week 4 is over, and it's time for our BlogPoll ballot for Week 5.
Rank | Team | Delta |
---|---|---|
1 | LSU Tigers - The Tigers rise above Oklahoma for the #1 spot as LSU took down a pretty good West Virginia team with ease. The offense is starting to get rolling under Jarrett Lee, and the defense is just nasty. Up Next: Kentucky | 1 |
2 | Oklahoma Sooners - The Sooners didn't lose, but early on were down to Missouri, who's unranked. If Oklahoma and co. are as good as everyone says they are, they should have steamrolled the Tigers instead of barely pulling out. Up Next: Ball State | -1 |
3 | Alabama Crimson Tide - The Crimson Tide had a huge win over Arkansas, who was ranked 11th at the time. I voted them in at #2, but our writers must not have felt it was enough to move Oklahoma down to #3. Up Next: #12 Florida | -- |
4 | Stanford Cardinal - The Cardinal had a BYE week, but return to action against UCLA. Up Next: UCLA | -- |
5 | Boise St. Broncos - The Broncos had a solid day through the air, as Kellen Moore had 4 passing touchdowns in an easy win over Tulsa. This week, they face the team that knocked them out of the National Championship race last year. Up Next: Nevada | -- |
6 | Oklahoma St. Cowboys - The Cowboys looked very impressive in the second half of their star match-up vs. the Aggies, winning 30-29 after being down big at halftime. Justin Blackmon is the real deal. Up Next: BYE | 2 |
7 | Wisconsin Badgers - The Badgers continue to roll through their easy OOC schedule, and it showed in a 59-10 lopsided win over South Dakota. It sets up a huge match up with the Cornhuskers, both of which look to make a statement nationally, and in the Big Ten. Up Next: #8 Nebraska | -1 |
8 | Nebraska Cornhuskers - Wyoming was looking for an upset being undefeated at 3-0, but the momentum stopped almost as soon as the ball was kicked off. The Cornhuskers out classed the Cowboys, 38-14. Up Next: #7 Wisconsin | 1 |
9 | Oregon Ducks - LaMichael James had an outstanding night, and it helped lead the Ducks to an easy 56-31 win over the Arizona Wildcats. Up Next: BYE | 1 |
10 | Virginia Tech Hokies - The Hokies get handed 5 spots as top teams fall, and it puts VT into the Top 10. A 30-10 win over Marshall sets them up with their ACC schedule, and a huge game with the team of the month. Up Next: #13 Clemson | 5 |
11 | South Carolina Gamecocks - After starting out slow, an interception/fumble weird play sparked the Gamecocks and Marcus Lattimore to an eventual 21-3 win over Vanderbilt. Up Next: Auburn | 1 |
12 | Florida Gators - A walloping win over Kentucky in which they won 48-13, gives momentum to the Gators heading into the big match-up with Alabama. Up Next: #3 Alabama | 4 |
13 | Clemson Tigers - The Tigers get another upset over a team even better than Auburn. Florida State was without E.J. Manuel, but the Tigers might have done just as well with him, as FSU's QB played admirably, but the Tigers pulled out a 35-30 victory. Up Next: #10 Virginia Tech | 7 |
14 | Texas A&M Aggies - The Aggies take their first loss of the season, and it was only 1 point. Despite this, they drop to 14 because they gave up a huge halftime lead. They'll look to bounce back in these coming weeks. Up Next: #17 Arkansas | -7 |
15 | Baylor Bears - RG3 continues to make headlines now that he has thrown more touchdowns than incompletions. I don't care who you are or who you're playing, that's impressive. Up Next: #24 Kansas State | 2 |
16 | South Florida Bulls - The Bulls blitzed UTEP all night long all the way to an eventual 52-24 win over the Miners. South Florida and Baylor seem to go hand in hand each week. Up Next: Pitt | 2 |
17 | Arkansas Razorbacks - The Razorbacks looked really good against the Crimson Tide early. After that, though, Arkansas looked lost in a 38-14 loss. Up Next: #14 Texas A&M | -6 |
18 | Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns got off with a BYE, and even raise 1 rank. Behind the arm of Mccoy, can Texas become relevant again? Up Next: Iowa State | 1 |
19 | Michigan Wolverines - Denard Robinson rushed for over 200 yards in his final case for the September Heisman in a decent 28-7 win over then undefeated San Diego State. Up Next: Minnesota | 2 |
20 | Florida St. Seminoles - FSU is down, but not out yet. They can still run the table and compete for a major bowl game. Not easy, but manageable. Up Next: BYE | -7 |
21 | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - Georgia Tech looked very good in a win over another undefeated team in North Carolina, 35-28. The Yellow Jackets hope for the success similar to 2009. Up Next: NC State | 2 |
22 | West Virginia Mountaineers - WVU tried to make it a game, but LSU would pull away before they could get the chance. Like Florida State, the Mountaineers still have a shot to run the table and rise in the rankings, but they have to prove themselves first. Up Next: Bowling Green | -8 |
23 | Illinois Fighting Illini - The Fighting Illini had another close call, this time coming to Western Michigan. While they are 4-0, the win was barely eked out, and we need to see more dominance in the Big Ten. Up Next: Northwestern | -1 |
24 | Kansas St. Wildcats - Kansas State makes it's first appearance in the BlogPoll, as they are undefeated still after knocking off Miami 28-24, a team that a week prior had taken care of Ohio State. Up Next: #15 Baylor | -- |
25 | Arizona St. Sun Devils - The Sun Devils replace Iowa State (I voted for Iowa State here!) after taking down the Trojans in an impressive manor, 43-22. Up Next: Oregon State | -- |
Dropouts: Ohio Bobcats, Iowa St. Cyclones Receiving Votes: Iowa State, Houston, Ohio State, TCU, Michigan State, |
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