Like Vinnie Barbarino, I am so confused. I am also still struggling to fight off whatever combination of seasonal allergies, the common cold, and a sinus infection it is that has reared its ugly head repeatedly over the course of the last month, and which has made a return appearance with a vengeance these last several days.
Fatigue, illness, and the side effects of certain over the counter medications having taken their toll, I started with the final version of last week’s ballot and adjusted accordingly in view of the most recent week’s results. I know, I know, but I’ll get back to doing this full-bore after next weekend, since Georgia has a bye week coming up before the season ender against Georgia Tech.
In any event, here is the first draft of this week’s ballot, with the emphasis on the words "first draft":
 | ||
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | -- |
| 2 | Texas Tech | -- |
| 3 | Florida |  1 |
| 4 | Texas | 1 |
| 5 | Southern Cal | 2 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | -- |
| 7 | Utah | 2 |
| 8 | Penn State |  5 |
| 9 | Boise State | 1 |
| 10 | Ohio State | 3 |
| 11 | Missouri | 1 |
| 12 | Georgia | 2 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 2 |
| 14 | Oklahoma State | 6 |
| 15 | Ball State | 3 |
| 16 | Michigan State | 3 |
| 17 | Cincinnati | 7 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh | 5 |
| 19 | TCU | 8 |
| 20 | Florida State | 6 |
| 21 | Brigham Young | 5 |
| 22 | Virginia Tech | 4 |
| 23 | Oregon State | 2 |
| 24 | South Carolina | 2 |
| 25 | Georgia Tech | 5 |
Air Force, Boston College, and Oregon all received a look but, ultimately, fell into the category of "others receiving consideration."
I watched the Buffalo-Miami (Ohio) game on Tuesday, the Ball State-Northern Illinois game on Wednesday, and the Maryland-Virginia Tech game on Thursday (because I couldn’t get the Texas Christian-Utah game for some incomprehensible reason). On Friday, I watched as much of the Fresno State-Nevada game as I could before falling asleep on the couch (to reiterate: I am sick). On Saturday, I watched the entirety of the Georgia-Kentucky game, parts of the Alabama-Louisiana State and Clemson-Florida State games, and the Boston College-Notre Dame game.
What looks weird on that ballot? What requires further explanation? As I hope is evident by now, I cast my initial ballot on Sunday night but give real consideration to arguments offered afterwards, upon which I often rely when making revisions prior to the final deadline.
If something in those rankings strikes you as wrong, tell me what and tell me why in the comments below. I thank you in advance for your constructive criticisms.
Go ‘Dawgs! Auburna delenda est!