Josh Furlong's AP Top 25: Oregon makes its move with a statement win

SALT LAKE CITY — Let's get weird this week ... at least just a little bit.

The weekend's slate of games may not have featured heavy hitters — at least a plethora of them — but there was still some entertaining games that made for a fun weekend of college football.

Here's the ballot I submitted to the Associated Press this week that will be counted toward the official consensus poll released later today before the first official College Football Playoff rankings of the season are released Tuesday.

1. Florida State

I see no reason to change my No. 1 team after a 41-16 blowout win over Wake Forest. The Seminoles took care of business and remain one of the top teams in my view, though its win earlier in the season agains Duke took a small hit this weekend ... but not enough.

2. Georgia

Coming off its bye week, Georgia wasted little time putting distance between it and the Florida Gators. The Bulldogs looked more like the two-time reigning national champions, especially in a hostile game against a rival. The road gets more difficult from here, though.

3. Michigan

On a bye week, the news remained on Michigan ... but not in a positive way. Can the Wolverines silence the noise and continue to be a dominant team or will it provide a distraction to the rest of the season?

4. Ohio State

The hook will get you every time. Ohio State was favored to win by 14.5 but only won by 14 points in a game against Wisconsin. The game had the makings for a low-scoring matchup, but the Buckeyes delivered a balanced scoring effort to score 24 points (still not a ton, but decent), while holding Wisconsin to only 10 points.

5. Oregon

This is where things get weird on my ballot. I had Oregon jump Washington, even though Washington beat Oregon a few weeks ago. I can hear it now: So why even play the game? Since that game, these two programs have been trending in opposite directions. Oregon looks like the most complete and balanced team in the Pac-12, and quarterback Bo Nix has been phenomenal on the field (to say nothing of Bucky Irving or Troy Franklin).

6. Washington

In back-to-back weeks, Washington has been forced into close games against the two worst programs in the Pac-12 (maybe they're actually improving? Maybe?) and hasn't quite looked like the well-oiled machine we previously witnessed. And though Michael Penix Jr. remains one of the best in the sport, I'm convinced Oregon would beat Washington at least 8 out of 10 times in a neutral site venue. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how it's felt as of late.

7. Texas

Texas took care of business at home without its starting quarterback, so nothing to worry about so far for the Longhorns. And to a lesser extent, this is a similar situation to that of Oregon-Washington — kinda. Even though Oklahoma beat Texas a couple weeks ago, the Longhorns have been a bit better since, but only marginally.

8. Alabama

The Crimson Tide got a much-needed bye week, so nothing to see here. I'm sure there's something to gripe about next week about Alabama.

9. Oklahoma

Oklahoma suffered its first loss to a sneaky good Kansas team that Texas previously beat — no transitive property here, by the way. In fact, the only two losses Kansas has suffered this season are to two teams I have ranked in my top 25, so it's not a terrible loss by any means. But the Sooners are operating with razor thin margins as a potential College Football Playoff contender and I want to see more.

10. Penn State

I maintain that Penn State could be one of the best teams in the country — like top five — but they're missing just enough to keep them on the outside of the top-tier teams. Drew Allar took a step forward and showed he can make big plays, but there needs to be more consistency, especially against a team like Indiana. In two weeks it gets much more difficult.

Checking in: Kansas

Dropping out: Duke

In consideration: Arizona, Tulane, Fresno State, James Madison, Liberty, Miami

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

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