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Inside Greg Luca's AP Top 25 Ballot: Backup Quarterback Shortfall Crushes Would-Be Contenders

Inside Greg Luca's AP Top 25 Ballot: Backup Quarterback Shortfall Crushes Would-Be Contenders
World Sports · 18:13:21 - Tuesday, 3 November 2026

Columnist Greg Luca has released his latest Associated Press Top 25 ballot, emphasizing that a lack of reliable backup quarterbacks is derailing several teams' championship aspirations.

The ballot comes after a weekend of notable games, including the Ohio State Buckeyes' matchup against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 2026. In that contest, Ohio State tight end Christian Henry was brought down by a USC defender, illustrating the competitive intensity of the season.

Luca's analysis suggests that depth at the quarterback position has become a critical factor separating true contenders from pretenders in the current college football landscape.

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