AP Top 25 voter names himself replay official, ranks Michigan over Ohio State

One voter in the AP Top 25 poll believes Michigan beat Ohio State, and you can't tell him otherwise

Update: The AP Top 25 voter, Tom Murphy, walked back his ballot on Monday, stating in a letter atop his original story that he "had not seen all the available angles of Ohio State's fourth-down run in the second overtime" upon casting his votes. "If I had, I would not have been as definitive in my view of the spot on J.T. Barrett's run," he clarified, admitting that he did not give enough respect to the officials that called the play on-site at the game.

Original story

One writer, tasked with ranking college football teams every week, has decided to ignore the recorded result of Ohio State's double-overtime win against Michigan.

Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ranked Michigan ahead of Ohio State on his AP Top 25 ballot Sunday. Choosing to ignore head-to-head results on a ballot happens, though usually not at the top of the rankings and usually not a day after the most pivotal result of the season.

Murphy said he has reviewed the Michigan-Ohio State game and determined that it was Michigan that won, not Ohio State. That determination drove his decision to put the Wolverines at No. 3, below Alabama and Clemson and two spots ahead of Ohio State (No. 5). You can find Murphy's full ballot and his explanation over at Arkansas Online.

"Yes, I voted Michigan higher than Ohio State," Murphy wrote. "The Wolverines essentially outplayed their opponent on the road and I don't think the football reached the necessary 15-yard line on J.T. Barrett's fourth down run in double overtime. As that was the game-decided [sic] play, I appointed myself the replay official and deemed Michigan the winner.

"Now, if only the College Football Playoff selection committee would do the same."

Murphy added a note that he "admires" Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for speaking his mind after the game but added that it's not "a good look" to "pin everything" on the officiating.

The AP Top 25 can embolden writers and their opinions, but appointing yourself replay official is a new step in the expansion of the voters' responsibilities. The AP Top 25 has no impact on the CFP or any bowl selection, so ultimately this defiant act won't change anything.

Reality is what you make of it, I guess.