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No need for chit-chat, let's get right to my rankings. For those of you who are just tuning in, this is my first season as a voter in the AP Poll. I'm publicizing my vote each week, with an explanation on this blog. The actuall AP Poll ranking is in parentheses.

1. USC (1). I was this close to dropping the Trojans from the No. 1 spot last week. After the way they rolled over the Children of the Corn, I'm glad I didn't. Over 300 yards rushing? That's ridiculous.

2. LSU (2). A slight tweak in my rankings. I had the Tigers at No. 3 last week, but I bumped them up ahead of Oklahoma because a) LSU's 45-0 win over Mississippi State looks even more impressive after the Bulldogs won at Auburng b) Oklahoma's win over Miami looks less impressive after the Hurricanes and c) Shutting out Middle Tennessee State after the Blue Raiders put up 42 against Louisville is worth bragging about.

3. Oklahoma (4). My fellow AP voters dropped the Sooners down behind Florida. I wasn't quite ready to do that, perhaps because I had Oklahoma at No. 2 last week, not No. 3.

4. Florida (3). In the preseason I joked about Tim Tebow feeding the 5,000. At least, I thought it was a joke at the time. Fifty-nine points on Tennessee? Welcome to USC West.

5. West Virginia (5). My editor, Joe Sirera, still keeps telling me that this Mountaineers team is flawed. The D did look better against Maryland, but hey, it was an ACC opponent, so take it with a large grain of salt.

6. Cal (6). Not sure the Bears deserve to be this high, but they won and they didn't win ugly; That gets rewarded at this time of the year.

7. Rutgers (11). I have Rutgers ranked No. 7 in the nation. I might as well buy bottled water and a generator and head for the hills. Seriously, the Scarlet Knights have a balanced offense this year and may be the only Big East contender that can actually play defense.

8. Texas (7). I'm really starting to think I have the Longhorns in the Top 10 on reputation alone. They looked decidedly unimpressive against Arkansas State and UCF. The win over TCU doesn't look that great either, after the Horned Frogs lost to Air Force.

9. Ohio State (8). I'm not convinced the Buckeyes were worthy of a Top 10 spot, but that's what happens when the teams above you either a) lose (see Tech, Georgia) b) play poorly (see Badgers, Wisconsin) or c) go into witness protection (see Bruins, UCLA).

10. Penn State (10). Am I comfortable having two Big 11 teams in my top 10? No, not at all. Like I said, it was a weird week.

11. Boston College (14). Remember, the first version of ACC expansion left these guys out in favor of Syracuse. Yikes.

12. Wisconsin (9). The Badgers are writing the book on how to keep winning and keep dropping. This week's chapter "Getting shredded by the vaunted passing attack of The Citadel."

13. Oregon (13). The win over Michigan looks better now. And drubbing Fresno after the Bulldogs almost knocked Texas A&M is an eye-catcher. Sometimes I dream that the ACC is like the Pac-10. Sigggh.

14. Clemson (15). I thought Cullen Harper was just keeping the seat warm for Willy Korn. Perhaps not.

15. South Carolina (12). I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the rest of the AP voters are more high on the Gamecocks than I am. It's freaking me out.

16. South Florida (23). Hey, the rest of the voters decided to put the Bulls in the poll! Welcome to the 2007 season fellas!

17. Nebraska (24). I just didn't think the Cornhuskers should get killed for losing to the top-ranked team in the country. Apparently the other voters felt differently.

18. Kentucky (21). That's now three teams I've ranked from the SEC East versus two from the entire ACC. Sigghh.

19. Georgia Tech (NR). Yes, I did have the Yellow Jackets ranked No. 10 last week. Apparently I forgot that Georgia Tech makes an annual habit of losing games like the one they just dropped.

20. Louisville (18). I just don't understand how, this early in the season, the other voters could put Louisville ahead of the Kentucky team that just beat them. Anyone got an answer on that? Anyone?

21. Alabama (16). I'm really happy to see Nick Saban back in the Top 25. No, really.

22. Georgia (22). That Oklahoma State win doesn't look so hot now that Troy just rolled the Cowboys. Maybe I just felt like I didn't have enough SEC East teams ranked.

23. Virginia Tech (17). Maybe Tyrod Taylor really is the answer for the Hokies' offense. Don't think he would have helped against LSU, though.

24. Hawaii (19). I don't care what you say. These guys will always be the Rainbow Warriors to me. Impressive rout of UNLV after the Runnin' Rebels almost knocked off Wisconsin.

25. Cincinnati (NR). It was either the Bearcats or Arizona State for this spot. Cincy has an impressive win over Oregon State and has outscored its opponents 140-16. That'll do.

DROPPED OUT

UCLA (Previously 8 in my poll). I know it's a big drop, but a 44-6 loss to a previously winless team? Good lord.

Washington (Previously 23). Cheer up Ty Willingham. At least you're not still at Notre Dame.

Arkansas (Previously 24). I never really felt like these guys deserved to be ranked. Now I have the proof to back my position.

Tennesee (Previously 25). I know, I know. If they could have just kept Florida under 50, maybe I'd still have them in the poll.

ALSO CONSIDERED:

Arizona State. Dennis Erickson has the Sun Devils on the upswing. I'm happy for him. No, really.

Missouri. They're putting up plenty of points. Still not sure about their nailbiter against Illinois, though.