Couple quick thoughts from my penultimate ballot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The final rankings will be released January 9.
• I had Toledo No. 23, and was hardly alone among the 61 voters in throwing shine on the Mid-American Conference champions. The Rockets climbed to 28th in the latest rankings — one voter, Pat Dooley of the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, had UT as high as 20th — all but assuring they will be in the final poll with a victory over Appalachian State (8-4) in the Dollar General Bowl. Well-deserved recognition for the Rockets.