Josh Furlong's AP Top 25 ballot: 7 ranked teams lose to shake up Week 5 ballot

SALT LAKE CITY — Seven of the Top 25 teams in the country lost over the weekend, which made for some changes in my team positions.

Overall, the top six or so teams are really taking shape and pulling away from the rest of the pack, though there are a few teams that are on the fringe and could hang with the top teams. After the No. 15 spot or so, it’s pretty much anyone’s guess where the teams should fall.

Regardless, here’s my attempt at ranking the Top 25 for the week.

My methodology: Each week I compare my ballot with that of the consensus Top 25 poll, and factor in game results, team and opponent efficiencies, and metrics such as SP+ to form my weekly ballot.

Rising: LSU, Washington, Wisconsin

Wisconsin embarrassed Michigan and made the Wolverines look mediocre Saturday afternoon. Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor punished Michigan to the tune of 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 72-yard touchdown run to set the tone late in the first quarter.

Falling: Michigan, UCF, Utah, Washington State

There’s so much to unpack with this group, but the most absurd is Washington State blowing a 49-17 lead with 6:53 left in the third quarter to lose a game to a bad UCLA team. Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon broke a school record with nine passing touchdowns and the Cougars still managed to lose 67-63. Ouch!

Michigan looked terrible against Wisconsin and is fortunate to remain in the Top 25; UCF fell to Pittsburgh for their first regular-season loss since 2016; and Utah allowed 16 penalties and a poor secondary effort to doom its momentum and chance at taking down USC at the Coliseum for the first time since joining the Pac-12.

Added: Cal, USC

I wanted to see one more game from Cal before ranking them in my ballot, and the Golden Bears didn’t disappoint Saturday in their 28-20 win over SEC foe Ole Miss. There may have been controversy at the end with Pac-12 refs (when isn’t there?), but Cal is showing they are a team worth taking serious. And their win over Washington is looking even better now.

USC showed how talented it can be when they limit turnovers and get the ball into their playmakers’ hands. While not perfect as a team — they still lack some discipline — the Trojans have rightfully entered back into my Top 25 ballot after their win over Utah. As long as Matt Fink can get the ball into his star receivers’ hands, the Trojans could do some damage … pending changes to team personnel.

Dropped out: Memphis, Washington State

Memphis had a bye in Week 4 and didn’t really do anything to drop out of my ballot. It’s more about the teams around them that merited a leapfrog effect in the ranking. I still like what Memphis is doing, so we’ll see if they have what it takes to jump back in once they resume play.

Teams in consideration: Iowa State, Kansas State, Memphis, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Washington State

As always, hit me up on Twitter (@JFurKSL) if you have any questions about my ballot.

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