Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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NORMAN — Tulsa World OU beat writer Mason Young, the Associated Press Top 25 voter for Oklahoma, breaks down his ballot after Week 4 of the 2025 college football season.
1. Penn State
Some people dropped the Nittany Lions amid their bye week but I’m holding strong until they prove they’re not No. 1.
2. Ohio State
No reason to drop the Buckeyes during their bye either.
3. Oregon
I know it’s been against inferior competition, but the Ducks’ point differential — 203-37 — after beating Oregon State 41-7 Saturday, is hard for me to ignore. They are destroying teams.
4. Georgia
Nothing doing for the Bulldogs this week, no reason to penalize.
5. Miami
The Hurricanes went up to No. 2 in the actual AP poll after handling Florida 26-7. Admittedly, maybe I should be more convinced than I am.
6. LSU
The Tigers blew out Southeastern Louisiana 56-10, but that’s not saying much. I’m slightly worried about their matchup with Ole Miss this coming weekend.
7. Texas A&M
The Aggies were on bye this week, but their upset of Notre Dame still holds a lot of weight.
8. Oklahoma
There was a lot to like in the Sooners’ 24-17 win over Auburn, but there are still tests ahead.
9. Florida State
The Seminoles continued to impress with a 66-10 whopping of Kent State.
10. Iowa State
I still favor the Cyclones in the Big 12 coming out of their bye.
11. Texas
Arch Manning looked a little better in the 55-0 romp over Sam Houston State, but the Florida challenge sits on the horizon.
12. Tennessee
Josh Heupel’s Vols were idle in Week 4, but there’s still confidence in what they can ultimately be this season following the close loss to Georgia.
13. Ole Miss
How about Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss? The D-II transfer quarterback has the Rebels rolling, their latest conquest a 45-10 blowout of Tulane.
14. Texas Tech
Didn’t see that one coming. With a backup quarterback in Will Hammond, the Red Raiders rolled Utah 34-10. That big spending in Lubbock is paying off.
15. Indiana
The Hoosiers hadn’t proven much yet. Then they shelled Illinois 63-10. Might Curt Cignetti and company actually be better than they were last year?
16. Alabama
We’re gonna find out what the Crimson Tide are made of as they come off the bye and travel to Georgia.
17. Georgia Tech
Love me some Yellowjackets (not literal waps, of course). Haynes King and the boys took care of Temple 45-24 on Saturday.
18. Michigan
The Wolverines weren’t all that spectacular in their 30-27 triumph at Nebraska.
19. Vanderbilt
So that blowout of South Carolina really did say more about Vandy. The Commodores backed it up by exorcising their demons against Georgia State, 70-21.
20. USC
The Trojans looked shaky at times in their 45-31 win against Michigan State, but Lincoln Riley is still winning games his way, with explosive offense and little defense.
21. Missouri
The Tigers keep going strong after outlasting South Carolina 29-20.
22. Illinois
Yikes, that mess against Indiana was ugly. And now the Fighting Illini have to get ready for USC.
23. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish notched their first win, 56-30 over Purdue, and are starting to work their way back up. Although, that first W isn’t much of one.
24. Auburn
Even after the loss to OU, I still think the Tigers are a pretty good team and Jackson Arnold is much improved from a year ago.
25. TCU
Bring on the Horned Frogs after they topped SMU 35-24 in the last Iron Skillet game for a while.
Dropped out by me
South Carolina
I thought maybe the loss to Vanderbilt was so ugly because of LaNorris Sellers’ injury. Then Sellers played against Mizzou and the Gamecocks still came up short. A two-loss SEC team shouldn’t be ranked at this point.
Arizona State
I held my Sun Devils stock for a while, but they just barely beat Baylor on Saturday and may take their second loss from TCU in the near future.
Utah
Unfortunately for Kyle Whittingham, this might not be the farewell tour he was hoping for.
Not ranked by me
BYU
Not so fast, my friend. The Cougars’ 3-0 start has come against Portland State, Stanford and East Carolina. Where’s the big win?
mason.young@tulsaworld.com
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Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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