Can we be honest about something? Outside of Indiana’s thriller against Penn State, there was a lot of “mid” college football played across the country in Week 11.
For those not up to date on slang, “mid” means middling or below average in this context. From TCU blowing a double-digit lead against Iowa State to two ACC contenders being upset and even BYU being blown out in a national showcase game, there were a lot of tough watches this weekend.
But the ensuing chaos did set the stage for what should be a hectic final three weeks of the regular season, and there was much more movement on my Associated Press Top 25 ballot this week compared to last week.
Here’s how the Star-Telegram’s Steven Johnson voted on his weekly AP Top 25 ballot:
Steven Johnson’s AP Top 25 ballot
1. Ohio State (9-0): The Buckeyes continued to separate themselves as the nation’s best team with a 34-10 win over Purdue led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Last week: 1
2. Indiana (10-0): The Hoosiers survived Penn State’s upset bid with arguably the catch of the year by Omar Cooper with 36 seconds left. Last week: 2
3. Texas A&M (9-0): The Aggies rolled over Missouri 38-17, but the Tigers were using a backup quarterback. Last week: 3
4. Alabama (8-1): The Crimson Tide gutted out a 20-9 win over rival LSU. Last week: 4
5. Georgia (8-1): The Bulldogs pummelled Mississippi State 41-21 in Starkville. Last week: 5
6. Texas Tech (9-1): The Red Raiders made a statement in their 29-7 win over BYU, as Texas Tech’s defense continues to look like one of the nation’s best. Last week: 9
7. Ole Miss (9-1): The Rebels essentially had a bye week with a blowout win over The Citadel. Last week: 6
8. Notre Dame (7-2): The Fighting Irish handled Navy 49-10 and will make the College Football Playoff if they win out. Last week: 8
9. BYU (8-1): The Cougars endured their first setback of the season against Texas Tech, but the Cougars are still in prime position to reach the Big 12 title game. Last week: 7
10. Texas (7-2): The Longhorns had a bye week. Last week: 10
11. Oregon (8-1): The Ducks survived a slugfest with Iowa for an 18-16 win. Last week: 11
12. Oklahoma (7-2): The Sooners had a bye week. Last week: 14
13. Miami (7-2): The Hurricanes kept their playoff hopes alive with an impressive win over Syracuse. Last week: 15
14. Utah (7-2): The Utes had a bye week. Last week: 16
15. USC (7-2): The Trojans kept rolling with a 38-17 win over Northwestern. Last week: 19
16. Vanderbilt (8-2): The Commodores kept their playoff hopes alive and made more program history by getting to eight wins with their 45-38 overtime victory over Auburn. Last week: 18
17. Michigan (7-2): The Wolverines had a bye week. Last week: 20
18. Georgia Tech (8-1): The Yellow Jackets had a bye week. Last week: 22
19. Cincinnati (7-2): The Bearcats had a bye week. Last week: 23
20. Virginia (8-2): After former TCU quarterback Chandler Morris suffered an injury, the Cavaliers fell to Wake Forest 16-9 in an upset. Morris’ injury could have playoff implications. Last week: 12
21. Louisville (7-2): The Cardinals suffered an upset loss to Cal in overtime and will be hard-pressed to get back in the playoff mix. Last week: 13
22. Houston (8-2): The Cougars came out on top 30-27 in the Space Game against Central Florida and moved back onto the ballot this week. Last week: NR
23. Pittsburgh (7-2): The Panthers had a bye week. Last week: 24
24. James Madison (8-1): After Memphis lost to Tulane, the Dukes move up as the No. 1 Group of Five team after pulling away from Marshall. Last week: NR
25. Arizona State (6-3): The Sun Devils had a bye week. Last week: 25
Moved out: Memphis (17), Washington (21)
Moved up: Houston, James Madison
Explaining the decisions
Memphis’ lost to Tulane wouldn’t have been too bad if the Tigers hadn’t already been upset by UAB earlier this season. Despite beating South Florida, the Tigers are unlikely to play for the American title.
Washington was everyone’s darling, but an upset loss to a bad Wisconsin team will keep the Huskies off the ballot until they face Oregon.
Houston got a boost from Washington and Memphis’ losses. It also helped that West Virginia, which upset Houston last week, added another win over Colorado.
James Madison narrowly edged out South Florida as this week’s top Group of Five team. There’s more work to be done.
TCU’s status
TCU probably would’ve been on the ballot this week if it defeated Iowa State. In theory, the Horned Frogs could get on the ballot next week with a win at BYU, but even beating the Cougars probably wouldn’t be enough to ease the feeling of disappointment in Fort Worth.