Brett McMurphy's AP Top 25 ballot: M up 3 to #7
My @AP_Top25 ballot
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 10, 2021
1-Georgia
2-Iowa
3-Bama
4-Cincinnati
5-OU
6-PennSt
7-Michigan
8-Kentucky
9-Oregon
10-OhioSt
11-MichSt
12-NDame
13-OkSt
14-NCSt
15-OleMiss
16-SanDiegoSt
17-Coastal
18-SMU
19-Wake
20-Arkansas
21-BYU
22-ArizSt
23-A&M
24-UF
25-Auburnhttps://t.co/shG3OLgTJO
October 10th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
I would prefer MSU be ahead of UM because of the chip on shoulder mentality.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:34 PM ^
Based on the two common opponents we've played (Rutgers and Nebraska), I'd say Michigan State makes a case for being a slightly higher ranked undefeated team than us. If nothing else, if Michigan's resume puts them above Ohio State, then MSU should be as well.
In any event, I'm with you that I'd rather head into East Lansing as road dogs -- which, well, we may very well anyway despite the polls.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
Looking forward to that awesome reactionary email from the OSU faithful for ranking them 10
October 10th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
Really doesn't matter. It will all be settled on the field. Two teams that will be extremely dangerous going forward are Alabama and OSU. It will take a MEGA effort and breaks to beat either one
October 10th, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
This is exactly right. The only thing that matters is getting to the playoffs, and Michigan isn't getting to the playoffs without beating MSU, PSU, and OSU. Beat those teams (and win the other winnable games on the schedule) and Michigan's in. The rankings don't matter unless UM loses.
October 10th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
I actually think it f our only loss is to MSU or PSU, we will win our division. We have to beat OSU but I believe we would win any tie breaker assuming PSU and MSU both lose to OSU.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
Yeah, just not that far to climb, despite a day of fascinating football. Still pipe dream stuff, but clearly in a position to make our own destiny, etc.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
PSU over OSU....not seeing that.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
Keep in mind that McMurphy and OSU are not exactly the best of buddies. Remember when he went after Meyer and OSU when the Zach Smith stuff blew up a few years ago ?
October 10th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
The benefit of the doubt afforded to Alabama is going to be nauseating.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
Haven’t they earned it?
October 10th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
No, because if losing to a middling SEC team just isn't important, why even have a season. Just give Alabama a bye to the playoff.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
TAMU is not “middling” and it definitely matters, which is why they won’t be #1 on anyone’s poll. But away game losses happen and that doesn’t preclude a team from being highly ranked. I’m not one to overreact over a one possession loss on the road to a good team.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
I think by definition, "medium or average in size, amount, or rank," Texas A&M qualifies as "middling" in the SEC. They're currently in a 3-way tie for last place in their division, and by conference record are right around the middle.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
I suppose a case can be argued both ways, but if a single loss in a season can sink a Cincinnati's playoff hopes, it should carry the same weight for everybody. Not very many other teams in CFB are given a mulligan.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
I was texting my friend last night stating that Cincinnati was the only team in America rooting for Bama to pull out the win. Because they know damn well that a 1 loss Bama will get the nod for a playoff spot over them.
Given that scenario, that would most likely mean that a 1 loss Bama will beat the #1 team (Georgia) in the SEC championship game. Meaning that UGA will most likely have only 1 loss. So how do you keep them out?
Cincinnati needs mass chaos now to have any shot at making the CFP.
PS - I'm not saying it is the right decision, just noting that history and having a team reputation will play into who gets into the CFP. An 8 to 12 team playoff can not get here soon enough. The the teams play to determine the championship.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
meh. Surprised to see MSU stagnant tbh. I expected small moves for most people in the top 10, but expected MSU would leap frog us and we would stay at the 8-9 range
October 10th, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^
Why should they leapfrog Michigan? Trying to be objective here. Who had the better win Saturday?
October 10th, 2021 at 11:44 AM ^
Maybe about equal? Both MSU and Michigan edged out wins against Neb, MSU smoked Rutgers while Michigan struggled until halfway through the 4th quarter at home.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
First of all - Michigan had to play Nebraska at night in Lincoln, and didn’t need OT to win. And we absolutely didn’t “struggle until halfway through the 4th quarter” against Rutgers. We dominated them in the first half and then just didn’t put them away. But to say we struggled most of that game is disingenuous.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
So not scoring in the second half at all against Rutgers and it being a one possession game is not struggling?
We can say MSU and Michigan are about equal on paper, it's going to be ok.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:59 AM ^
I don't get your reasoning. MSU edged NB in a game in which NB dominated in many phases. We beat NB in Lincoln, in a game in which we were clearly the better squad. You do you, but I'd like to hear your evidence.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:35 PM ^
Clearly a better squad? We needed a last second FG and fumble to win last night. I'm not saying we're better or worse, but about equal with MSU on paper.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:29 PM ^
meh. Surprised to see MSU stagnant tbh
This is not the real poll. This is one of the AP contributors to it.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^
Nice to hear a non fan observer thinks we are better than OSU. I like Michigan's team chemistry and that they play as hard as they do. Proud of this team. Sparty not layin in the weeds this year. Go Blue !
October 10th, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^
I hate MSU, but Oregon?? Bama 3? Why do we even play the games
October 10th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Do you really believe anyone other than Georgia has a good case to be better then Bama on a neutral field? Be honest with yourself.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
A&M stinks and just beat them.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Also, Florida shut them down in the second half of that game AND almost got the comeback win. Alabama does not travel well this year.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
Texas A&M doesn't stink and is a good football team. Many had them ranked preseason top 10 and it could be they're just now starting to put it together after a disappointing start. They have a ton of talent on that team and I've always believed that the really good / playoff teams get better as the season progresses. You can see a handful of teams kicking it into gear as the season goes along. Not saying they're playoff caliber, but they're a solid football team and it showed last night
October 10th, 2021 at 1:58 PM ^
Agree with this. I'm guessing many of the same commenters are saying that Nebraska is better than their record, which would be pretty disingenuous given the tamu comments.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:23 PM ^
State has 254 yards total offense and 12 first downs against Nebraska.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
Am I missing something? Alabama had all of their players? They're not the team that had their starting Qb go down with injury on the road to a top 5 team? How are they 3? They should have lost to Florida and now they lost to TAMU. I don't think they should be behind us, but they should be behind PSU
October 10th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
Most people outside Jimbo Fisher's circle don't know how he has made it his purpose to beat Alabama. It looks though, that he has focused on it so much he has sacrificed attention to all other teams.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
Notre Dame at 12 based on performance so far this year seems silly.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
How about those KY Wildcats (#8)? Go Blue if you're from Lexington, KY.
Is San Diego State (#16) Brady Hoke's team? Good for him if it is.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
Somewhere there’s a chubby shirtless Buckeye fan sporting mutton chops firing off a profanity laced email with no use of grammar. Except a shitload of exclamation points!
October 10th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
Hey, firing off that email has got to be hard work while keeping your rig between the lines at 75 mph and pissing in a milk jug when you're hopped up on 10 monster energy drinks.
Cut him some slack on the grammar.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
Unrelated but funny story, I employed a semi driver that had previously hauled cattle cross country. He said instead of energy drinks to stay awake he’d just shock himself in the leg with the cattle prod. Dude was a former 101st Army Ranger.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
I like this poll.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
I bet you do, you nasty little freak
October 10th, 2021 at 8:23 PM ^
Well... that's just unkind.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
Maybe I'm being too skeptical, but does anyone believe that, for example, Iowa, Cincinnati, or Oklahoma could beat Alabama or Ohio State?
October 10th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
I mean, if Oregon and Texas A&M can best them . . .
October 10th, 2021 at 4:45 PM ^
My question is if you were forced to put a ton of money on those teams beating Alabama and OSU right now, would you ?
October 10th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Should be ahead of PSU, but otherwise no complaints...
October 10th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
It is still a pipedream to think we will beat OSU at OSU. The odds are quite long unless injuries change the picture
October 10th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
I can't imagine watching Iowa yesterday and thinking that team, with the QB and line is anywhere near a top 5 team....
October 10th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
Aren't the rankings meaningless for us? Whoever wins the conference goes to the playoffs, it's that simple, isn't it?