What another letdown week for the Big Ten. Other than Michigan’s thrilling upset of #18 Notre Dame, both Ohio State and Purdue dropped the ball when they could have made a big statement in week 2. Then there was that loss by Michigan State at home to Central Michigan (?!?!?). So much for being supposed dark horse Big Ten contenders. But most of the Top 25 took care of business in week 2. In the only Top 10 matchup between USC and Ohio State, USC managed to steal a victory out of the Shoe despite being outplayed for most of the game. USC leaps over Texas in my week 2 ballot for actually beating a team that had an opportunity to fight back. I couldn’t really penalize the Buckeyes too harshly for that defensive effort against USC. But until Pryor stops making bone headed mistakes (being tackled in bounds/ pitching the ball on an option play when wrapped up by 3 defenders/ throwing off his back foot/etc), Ohio State could struggle.

1		W Troy 56-6. Florida scored 28 unanswered points in 7 and a half minutes to rout Troy as Tebow threw for 4 touchdowns and ran for another. The Gators did fumble six times losing three. Next up: Tennessee	-
2		W Ohio State 18-15. In the most impressive win in week 2, the Trojans were able to convert an early Pryor interception into a touchdown lead before trailing for most of the second half. Freshman Barkley led a final go-ahead 86 yard touchdown drive in the final minutes to steal a 18-15 win in the Shoe. This was the 10th straight victory for the Trojans against the big Ten. USC held Ohio State to just 88 rushing yards. Next up: @ Washington	+1
3		W Wyoming 41-10. Texas started really slow taking a surprising 13-10 lead into halftime before pulling away in the second half. The Longhorns rolled up 544 total yards against Wyoming in the victory. Next up: Texas Tech	-1
4		W Florida International 40-14. Alabama punished Florida International with a punishing running game while holding Florida International to just 1 total rushing yard for the game. Next up: North Texas	-
5		W Tulane 54-3. Talk about domination. BYU was so dominant against Tulane, they did not have to punt the entire game. BYU even got scores from its defense and backup quarterback. Racked up 527 yards of total offense and had control of the ball for 33:40. Next up: Florida State	+2
6		Idle. Next up: Southeastern Louisiana	-
7		W Syracuse 28-7. Penn State threw for 240 yards and 3 TDs with Royster accounting for 2 TDs improving Joe Paterno’s record against his old Eastern rival to 23-4. The defense was impressive holding the Orange to just 4 first downs in the first half and ending Mike William’s streak of 10 straight games with a TD. Next up: Temple	+1
8		W Eastern Washington 59-7. After the first quarter ended with the score tied 7-7, the Bears scored 52 consecutive points as they rushed for 342 yards and did not turn the ball over for the second consecutive game overwhelming the Eagles (1-1) of Eastern Washington. Next up: @ Minnesota	+1
9		W Miami (OH) 48-0. The Broncos outgained the Redhawks 441 to 197 taking a 34-0 lead into the half. The defense was most impressive holding Miami (OH) to 41 rushing yards and 4 interceptions. Next up: Fresno State	+1
10		W Marshall 52-10. Following their letdown against Alabama in week 1, Vriginia Tech responded by routing Marshall in week 2. Two Hokie RBs ran for 160+ yards a first in Virginia Tech history. The Hokies now hold a 31 consecutive home nonconference winning streak which will be undoubtedly tested with #22 Nebraska scheduled for next week.Next up: #22 Nebraska	+2

Virginia Tech is the only team in the Top 10 with a loss. I was ready to put Georgia Tech in the #10 spot prior to the second half of the Clemson game, but their defense is clearly suspect, and Clemson showed once a team gets acclimated to their triple option attack, their offense can actually be contained. Georgia Tech better watch out against better defenses like Virginia Tech’s.

Some newcomers this week include Cincinnati with their 70 point explosion against SE Missouri St. I know it’s against SE Missouri St, but 70 points against anyone is impressive.

Boy do you have to feel sorry for Oklahoma State. With their loss against Houston in week 2, they are officially known for their inability to perform when the expectations are high. Their loss this past Saturday to Houston is the third consecutive time Oklahoma State has lost when ranked in the Top 5. Only once have they won after reaching the top 5 and that was against Iowa State in 1984 before losing the following week to Oklahoma. Ouch.

I know both the AP and coaches poll have Oklahoma State still ranked despite their 10 point loss at home to Houston. I find that absolutely despicable and makes a mockery of both polls. How is it that a team can go on the road as huge underdogs, upset the #5 team in the country decisively and remain ranked below the team it just beat? There are no transitive properties here, the two teams faced off on the field and Houston proved it was better. Oklahoma State’s #5 ranking was really based on assumptions and guesswork made before the first snap of the 2009 season was even played and Houston’s upset clearly indicated

a) that the #5 ranking was clearly too high and

b) Houston is currently the better squad and proved it on the field in week 2.

I’m sure Oklahoma State will eventually prove to be better (or more talented I should say) than Houston as the season progresses, but if Houston managed to beat the Cowboys on the road in week 2, they will be ranked higher than Oklahoma State in my week 2 ballot. Simple enough.

So for now Houston gets rewarded for their upset of a top 5 squad by entering the poll at #25. Michigan moves up 2 spots and Notre Dame drops out following their thrilling game.

So what do you think? Comments / insults/ changes?