Josh Furlong's AP Top 25: Ohio State gets a quality win as several top teams falter

SALT LAKE CITY — Will Howard finally got the chance to throw a touchdown pass to a Penn State receiver as a quarterback in the stadium he dreamed of as a kid.

The only problem was that he was Ohio State's quarterback. Howard made an early mistake that had the potential to derail the Buckeyes' chances against a loaded Nittany Lions team that was off to a fast 10-0 start.

But Ohio State got the last laugh – or was it a sigh of relief from Ryan Day – with a 20-13 road win.

It was a fun way to start the day, but it turned out to be one of the most normal aspects of the weekend, as seven teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 suffered a loss – and some by a wide margin (cough, cough, Texas A&M). ).

The following is the ballot I submitted to the Associated Press that will be factored into the consensus rankings that will be released Sunday afternoon.

1.Oregon

Is there a way to stop Oregon? Michigan is nowhere near the team that won last season's championship, but the Ducks made light work of the home Wolverines, improving to 9-0 on the season. There's a real chance Oregon, 12-0, will face Ohio State for a rematch in the Big Ten championship game.

2. Georgia

In the first half, Georgia appeared to be in trouble against rival Florida. Until quarterback DJ Lagway got injured… and Georgia seemingly woke up. The Bulldogs tend to improve as the game progresses and this week was no different. There's no reason to move them down…even if Ohio State beats another top-5 team.

3. Ohio State

Ryan Day picked up his Top 5 win…and another win over Penn State. And while the offense gets credit, it's the defense that takes care of it. The Nittany Lions appeared to control a 10-0 lead early on, but the defense made life incredibly difficult for them – including an interception in the end zone that killed any momentum at Beaver Stadium.

4.Miami

Miami continues to face an early opponent, only to bounce back and dominate another opponent. The Hurricanes have seemingly faced every issue imaginable this season, but the Cam Ward-led team continues to fight for an undefeated season. It's not always perfect, but when the offense is on, there's little that can stop it.

5.Texas

Not a bad weekend for a bye week. But here we see if Texas is real or if some of the cracks are getting bigger and the Longhorns are losing some momentum.

6. Penn State

Penn State continues to have an Ohio State problem. The difference this year is that it likely won't hurt the team's playoff chances. But it remains frustrating for James Franklin that he can never overcome that hurdle – especially given costly errors in the game. However, this team is real.

7. Tennessee

Kentucky has already killed teams this year, but Tennessee has not. The Vols used 21 second-half points – and the defense held Kentucky to just 8 points – to help the team to a 10-point home win. Tennessee remains a tough team to beat as one of the best teams in the country, but the conversation about them has shifted since their win over Alabama two weeks ago.

8.BYU

The bye week was positive for BYU as some of its closest competitors in the Big 12 suffered losses. And as everyone predicted, BYU remains the only undefeated player in the Big 12 in what feels like a championship-level run. But in a wild Big 12, lifting the championship trophy is never a guarantee.

9.Indiana

Indiana is one of the hottest teams in the country this season, and an undefeated team – I know how strange that sounds – can become a real possibility. It's the first 9-0 start in school history. So what could be more fitting than a 9-0 ranking? But seriously, this is an explosive offense that's fun to watch.

10. Notre Dame

Notre Dame also had a bye this week. A loss to Northern Illinois early in the season continues to confuse many people, but the Fighting Irish have been one of the best teams in the country since then, with an upward trajectory that makes this a blip. That's a consideration, but in my opinion it's not a game that should keep Notre Dame out of the top 10.

Exit: Illinois, Navy

Check in: Louisville, Vanderbilt

Considered (alphabetically): Arizona State, Iowa, Louisiana, South Carolina, Syracuse, UNLV

If you can't see my full ballot below, click here.