Hlas AP Top 25 ballot after Week 1

The Alabama-Virginia Tech game was good. So was BYU-Oklahoma. That Miami-Florida State deal Monday night was terrific.

My preseason Top 25 was cut up pretty good when my No. 16 Iowa squeaked by Northern Iowa, my No. 18 Illinois got obliterated by Missouri, and my No. 25 Troy - well, thanks for nothing, Troy.

I caught grief from a Florida State fan for putting Miami in my preseason poll instead of FSU. Well, Old Mike got one right. A win in Tallahassee cuts big-time ice with me, and so I shoot the Hurricanes up to 13th this week.

Iowa had to go. Sorry, but that wasn't a Top 26 performance vs. UNI, let alone Top 25. There's still plenty of season left to wash away that coat of lackluster.

On with the show:

1. Florida - The Gators appear to have a sound program.

2. Texas - The Longhorns head to Wyoming to rope the Cowboys.

3. USC - At Ohio State Saturday night. It's your basic Game of the Week.

4. Alabama - Impressive second-half vs. Virginia Tech. There's talent there, kids.

5. Penn State - Fifth is where I put the Nittany Lions in the preseason poll, and caught grief. Well ... I'm doing it again. So there.

6. Oklahoma State - A sterling performance in beating Georgia. Zac Robinson may be the best quarterback in college football who hasn't attended a Heisman ceremony.

7. California - Dismantled Maryland.

8. BYU - All it did was take out No. 3 Oklahoma before a primarily Oklahoma crowd. Yes, Sam Bradford got hurt. But the Cougars were the better team even when Bradford played.

9. LSU - I saw some of their game at Washington. The Tigers still have a lot of talent.

10. Mississippi - I'm still not as sold on Ole Miss as many, but the Rebels rolled at Memphis despite a lot of players being sick with flu-like symptoms.

11. Ohio State - This is where I had the Buckeyes in the preseason. They did nothing vs. Navy to change my mind. This Saturday is all that matters, anyway. OSU had USC on its mind all offseason, not Navy.

12. Boise State - Lost in the chaos of the postgame was how stifling the Broncos' defense was vs. Oregon. Boise State dominated what was supposed to be a good Ducks team.

13. Miami - Next game: Sept. 17 at home vs. Georgia Tech.

14. Oklahoma - If Sooners lose to Idaho State Saturday, I'll walk to Iowa City for the Arizona game on Sept. 19. (From Coralville)

15. Notre Dame - Nevada was known for offense, but got blanked at South Bend. Actually, Nevada is known for gambling. But why quibble?

16. TCU - Hasn't played yet. 

17. Virginia Tech - Didn't play badly against Alabama. Gets Nebraska at home on Sept. 19.

18. Missouri - The Tigers were supposed to be rebuilding. Don't tell Illinois that.

19. Nebraska - Huskers host Arkansas State this week. Arkansas State comes to Iowa in early October. I guess Arkansas State likes to travel.

20. Pittsburgh - Buffalo hosts Pittsburgh Saturday. It would be a better NFL matchup.

21. Michigan State - Spartans trampled Montana State, which is what Big Ten teams are supposed to do to FCS clubs.

22. Georgia - Didn't get it done at Oklahoma State. Can regain some mojo Saturday vs. South Carolina.

23. Baylor - Nice road win against a good Wake Forest team.

24. Cincinnati - Nice road rout vs. Rutgers.

25. Southern Mississippi - Yes, I'm the one giving USM its "also receiving votes" status. It's a good team, doggone it.

For the AP poll,

click here.