There’s not a lot of big news to talk about in my AP ballot this week. I’ve moved the Gamecocks from No. 12 to No. 9, the same spot I had them in the first week of the poll, and dropped Arkansas from No. 9 to out of the poll after the Razorbacks’ loss to Louisiana-Monroe.

Based on the feedback, I’ve already gotten, I know some people are mystified that Clemson is ranked ahead of South Carolina. I still think the Tigers’ victory over Auburn was impressive, and I know Auburn lost to Mississippi State this week and is not very good.

As for the Gamecocks, they obviously looked great against East Carolina, but I don’t know how much to take from that win. Dylan Thompson was super, but apparently is headed back to the bench as soon as Connor Shaw is healthy, and the competition will start getting a lot better (not this week with UAB coming to town) soon.

I don’t know if you guys care, or even noticed, that I jumped Oregon ahead of Southern Cal at Nos. 2 and 3, but I have decided the Ducks are the best team in the Pac-12. Oregon and the Trojans play on Nov. 17, and it might end 84-77.

Josh Kendall's AP Top 25 ballot for the week of Sept. 9. (The Gamecocks are ranked No. 8 in the latest poll.)

1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Southern Cal
4. LSU
5. Michigan State
6. West Virginia
7. Clemson
8. Oklahoma
9. South Carolina (No. 12 last week)
10. Florida State
11. Boise State
12. Kansas State
13. Georgia
14. Michigan
15. Virginia Tech
16. Tennessee
17. UCLA
18. Texas
19. Stanford
20. Georgia Tech
21. TCU
22. Arizona
23. Notre Dame
24. Oregon State
25. Ohio State