My AP Poll Week 6
Last week there was a ton of turmoil at the top of the poll. This week there was carnage at the bottom. I found myself facing a similar situation to the one I've run into in the Mighty Nine preps poll - scraping around to come up with enough team to fill the poll.
Before we get to the poll, here are the teams I actually considered for the final spot in my ballot: Wyoming, Indiana, Texas Tech and Boise State. Not exactly a murderer's row, is it?
Who did I pick? Well, you'll just have to read on.
That, for all you kids at home, is what we call "foreshadowing" in the writing business.
Again, as always, this is my ballot. The final AP Poll rankings are in parentheses.
1. LSU (1) - It seems that every season, the eventual national champion has to go through a major crisis on its way to the title. The Florida game may have been that moment for the Bayou Bengals.
2. Cal (2) - If LSU doesn't come back, I probably have Cal as my No. 1 team in the country. I like the Bears, but that just doesn't seem right.
3. Ohio State (3) - Everyone's making the comparisons between this Buckeyes team and the one that won the national title in 2002. If so, let's hope Chris Wells only mirrors Maurice Clarett on the field.
4. South Florida (5) - Yeah, the Bulls didn't look like top five material in struggling against Florida Atlantic, but those wins over West Virginia and at Auburn are still impressive.
5. Boston College (4) - I'll be honest. I just don't think the Eagles are this good. And being 6-0 isn't really enough of a reason to put them this high (see, Hawaii, for example). All I can do is write this one off to the quirks of the poll. Eventually it will correct itself - or the Eagles will prove themselves worthy.
6. Oklahoma (6) - The Sooners' win over Texas established them as the best of the one-loss teams. I have a feeling that will be a valuable spot to be in at season's end.
7. West Virginia (8) - The Mountaineers aren't likely to lose again, but they'll need some help to overcome South Florida in the Big East after their head to head loss.
8. South Carolina (7) - I get the feeling other coaches don't like Spurrier that much. South Carolina is only ranked No. 12 in the coaches poll.
9. Oregon (9) - Idle week for the Ducks. More time to ponder that goal line fumble against Cal...
10. Southern Cal (10) - Now that South Carolina is ranked above Southern Cal, can it lay claim to the "USC" moniker?
11. Missouri (11) - The rout of Nebraska was convincing. And the season-opening win at Illinois is looking better each week.
12. Florida (13) - I know the Gators have two losses. But they were one fourth-down stand from knocking off LSU in the Swamp. These guys are legit.
13. Arizona State (14) - Granted, the Sun Devils escaped at Washington State. But did you know these guys whacked Colorado 33-14 earlier this season? And they won at Stanford 41-3 a week before the Cardinal knocked off Southern Cal.
14. Cincinatti (15) - Ben Mauk missed Wake's dream year in 2006, but the whole transfer idea seems to be working out well anyway.
15. Virginia Tech (12) - Well, we now know Tyrod Taylor can run, but until he also proves he can pass, I'm still not sure the Hokies are ready to claim ACC supremacy.
16. Illinois (18) - Vegas had the Fighting Zookers favored over then No. 5 Wisconsin. Turns out those guys know what they're doing. Who knew?
17. Kentucky (17) - The Wildcats made a ton of mistakes against South Carolina, yet still had their chances. That's a fancy way of saying I still think they're a good team.
18. Kansas (20) - The Jayhawks were one of those unbeaten teams that needed to prove they were worthy of their record. Winning at K-State for the first time in 18 years pretty much did that.
19. Florida State (21) - Maybe, just maybe, Xavier Lee is the answer for the Seminoles at QB. If so, the ACC title game is still a real possibility.
20. Hawaii (16) - Slowly but surely the Warriors keep creeping up my poll. I still don't think they've played anyone. If not for the Colt Brennan hype, I really wonder if I'd have them ranked at all.
21. Wisconsin (19) - Believe me Badger fans, it doesn't make me feel good to see that my skepticism about your team was proven correct. Okay, maybe it does just a little.
22. Colorado (NR) - Hear me out here folks. The Buffs have a win over the No. 6 team in the country and losses to No. 21 and No. 14. These guys are as worthy as anyone at this spot in the polls ... which is still tepid praise, I admit.
23. Auburn (22) - Winning at Florida overcomes losing at home to Mississippi State. If the Tigers running game gets going, they'll give LSU a strong test.
24. Boise State (NR) - The winner of my "Who the heck am I going to rank?" game that went on well into the night on Saturday. Basically, the Broncos get in because they beat Wyoming and they lost on the road to a respectable team by a respectable score. I know, I know, it's weak. You work with what you have, people.
25. Texas (23) - Which is why the Longhorns are still on my ballot. Only lose by seven? Congrats, you've got a spot in the rankings!
DROPPED OUT
Rutgers, Clemson, Kansas State, Nebraska, Georgia.
Comments (1)
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Speaking of FSU, their worst loss this year was the humiliating opener at Clemson, who, in turn, was just humiliated by V.Tech. Clemson's pre-season Outland Trophy candidate L OT was injured in the first offensive series-- did this have anything to do with the fact that Davis and Spillers were stuffed at the line of scrimmage?(maybe not, since V.T. did this last year,also.) Favorite line of the week "thunder and lightning" looked more like " partly cloud and mild"-- this from ESPN. Wildcat--- add.- when will T.Bowden fire himself as special teams coach?
Posted on October 11, 2007 11:08 AM