Editor's Note: Tom Murphy is one of 61 voters in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Each week, he reveals his ballot and offers insight into his votes.
The only change in the top five on my ballot is Ohio State moving up a spot, swapping places with Clemson after the Buckeyes pulled out a thrilling 27-26 victory in the White Out at Penn State. Alabama and Georgia remained solid at Nos. 1 and 2.
Clemson’s struggle with Syracuse pointed out the Tigers’ vulnerability with the announced transfer of quarterback Kelly Bryant. With Trevor Lawrence taken out following an ill-advised head-first dive for more yardage, the Tigers went with former third-teamer Chase Brice, who helped engineer a comeback.
Syracuse’s strong upset bid got the Orange the No. 24 spot on my ballot.
The Big 12 duo of West Virginia and Oklahoma slotted in behind LSU at No. 5. Notre Dame’s impressive victory over No. 7 Stanford moved the Irish to No. 8 in my poll, followed by Auburn, which has been underwhelming for a few weeks in a row after opening with the neutral-site win over Washington.
I actually moved Penn State up two notches on my ballot to No. 10 after the quality loss to Ohio State.
Washington dispatched Top 25 pretender BYU and remained at No. 11 for me as the top-ranked team from the Pac-12 in my vote.
Central Florida is still the top Group of 5 contender on my ballot at No. 12.
I’ve got my eye on unbeatens lower in the poll, like No. 19 Colorado, No. 21 Cincinnati (new to the poll this week!), and No. 22 North Carolina State.
Florida moved back in at No. 23 after upsetting my previous No. 20 Mississippi State on the road in the Return of Dan Mullen Game. That gives the SEC six teams on my ballot. Texas A&M moved out from the No. 23 spot after a mediocre showing against the Razorbacks.
1 Alabama
2 Georgia
3 Ohio State
4 Clemson
5 LSU
6 West Virginia
7 Oklahoma
8 Notre Dame
9 Auburn
10 Penn State
11 Washington
12 Central Florida
13 Kentucky
14 Miami
15 Stanford
16 Michigan
17 Wisconsin
18 Virginia Tech
19 Colorado
20 Oregon
21 Cincinnati
22 North Carolina State
23 Florida
24 Syracuse
25 Texas
Dropped out: Duke, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, California