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Young-Viiperr Ballot for 2025 Week 3

Ballot Type: Hybrid

Submitted: Sept. 8, 2025, 11:39 p.m.

Overall Rationale: As it's week three, I've decided to draw up rankings using K-Ford, Massey, and the eye-test to map out the chaos. The backhalf is questionable as separation hasn't appeared yet. Notes: - I have Oregon over Penn State, as the resume of a P4 blowout win looks superior to PSU's OOC. UO appeared superior as a passing offense, and palpable on defense against opposing OL. I will adjust rankings accordingly depending on the outcomes of the "whiteout." Massey models prefer Oregon. - After Clemson's "adversity" against Troy, I have Miami ranked over LSU. I view Notre Dame as the superior win over Clemson, in my opinion. LSU definitely had some growing pains against an offensively inept Louisiana Tech. - Illinois competently dominated against a solid Duke squad, and managed to score double-digit points after Beatty found his stride in the second half. Make no mistake, Duke was extremely competitive going into the half. I see this as a statement win over other teams, and Georgia's barnburner on offense (where's the OL?) - Not going to punish Texas for an Ohio State loss, and rather benefit teams with an additional win. Poll momentum, and a mixture of statement win(s) (if applicable). I still note Texas as a top 10 team, regardless of Arch's passing atrophy, and poor special teams management. - Iowa State earned three wins, and broke a rivalry curse in the CyHawk against Iowa at home. As the only 3-0 team in a power four conference, ranking Iowa State in the late top 10 is appropriate. Iowa isn't a slouch and manages 8 or more wins every season, while the Cyclones pass the eye-test again. - Notre Dame is outside of the top 10 due to leapfrogging, and 0-1 record. Freeman & Co. have an opportunity to move up w/an A&M win. I'm debunking South Carolina's win against Virginia Tech after Vanderbilt's 44pt whooping, and Tennessee's after Syracuse nearly losing to UConn at home. - USF appears as a top 15 team with two AP ranked wins, while Ole Miss regressed, and I don't regard Michigan as 'should've been" preseason ranked program. #14, #15, #16 reflect that, where Kentucky lacked poise against Toledo, as much as Ole Miss did at Kroger Field. - Kansas passed the eye test against Fresno State, who dominated Georgia Southern (an appeared SBC title-contender) by 52pts, iirc. Wagner (FCS opp), was handed just as evenly. The Border War appears, and as adjustments were made, Mizzou was able to pull away from Kansas. Y'know, Beau Pribula's passing technique, to Ahmed Hardy's rushing game, with the front 7 controlling the LoS. I believe Mizzou passes a future 10-win eye-test, for now. - Utah and TCU dominated on both lines of scrimmage. And with UCLA being outscored by UNLV, and UNC not beating the Charlotte 49er's more than an underwhelming App State team - those wins may not age well. Nonetheless, both Devon Dampier and Josh Hoover were dominate in their strides. Turnover on downs, and interceptions adds to some conclusion of a competent defense for either squad. Will keep an eye out. - Michigan, Alabama, Florida are all unranked based on last season's, and current performances - none of them strike as T25 teams right now. Clemson looked unimpressive against LSU, and with Troy being up 11-0, does not strike confidence from Garrett Riley's Air Raid offense. The outcome of the Georgia Tech game will decide how/ who remains ranked. - Speaking of Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets managed a power 4 win on the road against Colorado, with the standard, dominant FCS win. With Haynes-and-Haynes law firm open for business, I'm keeping the Yellow Jackets ranked until otherwise. Plus, I view them as the team to make the ACC CCG. Tulane is currently the second group of six ranked team, with a win over Northwestern, and an uncomfortable win over Southern Alabama. If Texas State can notch a win over Arizona State, or Navy happens to win an additional game over Tulane, I'll rank them ahead. I don't see TXST as T25 material with EMU losing to an FCS team shortly afterwards, otherwise. North Texas with Skylar Cassidy, and the Air Force academy are other watch outs. Texas A&M is always 8 and 4, until proven otherwise. Didn't look too impressive on defense, despite winning against Utah State, and Traylor's UTSA. Notre Dame matchup will decide if I move A&M out of the T25. To the West of the state, I won't rank Texas Tech past the 20 until they notch a win at Utah. The Red Raiders are playing vanilla at the moment, and pass the eye-test on all sides of the ball. Any minor worries were quelled pretty quickly from being identified, and adjusted.

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