Joe Arruda’s AP Top 25 ballot for Week 5 in college football

There were eight top-25 matchups in college football this weekend as conference matchups scattered the slate.

The weekend began with Illinois taking down Nebraska on the road in overtime, knocking the Cornhuskers out of the rankings. Tennessee moved up after beating Oklahoma on the road and Michigan’s win over USC moved the reigning national champions back into the top 12. Clemson, with a decisive win over NC State, also took a sizeable leap up to No. 13 on my ballot.

Kansas State was one of the big losers of the weekend, coming off a big win over Arizona. The Wildcats were blown out on the road at BYU, which entered my poll after getting to 4-0 for the first time since 2012. Oklahoma State also saw a drop to No. 20 in my poll following a home loss to Utah, which was without starting QB Cam Rising.

Here is how I voted in the Week 5 AP poll:

1. Texas. Longhorns won their first game as an AP No. 1 team since 2008 in Arch Manning’s first start.
2. Georgia. Bulldogs had a week off before a top-five matchup in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.
3. Ohio State. Slow start, but Marshall couldn’t keep up with the Buckeyes.
4. Ole Miss. The Rebels’ schedule ramps up in a few weeks, but they’ve dominated every game so far.
5. Alabama. The Tide also got a week off before next week’s must-watch game vs. Georgia.
6. Tennessee. Vols never trailed in a top-15 matchup at Oklahoma that highlighted defense.
7. Miami. USF made it competitive early, but Miami ran away behind 400 yards passing from Cam Ward.
8. Penn State. New program record for total offense in a dominant win over Kent State, the worst team in CFB.
9. Missouri. Missed field goals and more penalties, but the Tigers snuck by Vanderbilt in overtime.
10. Oregon. Ducks got to rest before a night game at the Rose Bowl against UCLA next week.
11. Utah. Utes take down ranked Oklahoma State team on the road without Cam Rising.
12. Michigan. Who needs to pass? Wolverines welcomed USC to the Big Ten.
13. Clemson. Offensive explosion vs. NC State and the Tigers might be back on track.
14. USC. Trojans nearly pulled off a second half comeback in the Big House.
15. Notre Dame. Slow start but defense helped the Irish pull away from Miami OH.
16. Iowa State. Cyclones handled business in a 52-7 win over Arkansas State.
17. LSU. Tigers took control late to take down UCLA, have South Alabama and a week off before hosting Ole Miss.
18. Louisville. Another decisive win for the Cardinals, who head to Notre Dame this week.
19. Oklahoma. Tough loss to Tennessee at home, Sooners have to rebound at Auburn next.
20. Oklahoma State. Sixteen points in the fourth quarter but the Cowboys ran out of time.
21. Illinois. Four TD passes for Luke Altmyer and the Illini claimed their second ranked win in overtime.
22. Kansas State. Sloppy performance after a big win leads to loss at BYU.
23. BYU. Cougars took advantage of K-State mistakes and are 4-0 for the first time since 2012.
24. Iowa. Not a popular pick, but Kaleb Johnson had 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns to beat Minnesota.
25. Boston College. Thomas Castellanos might be the answer for BC, his late TD pass put the Eagles over Michigan State.